One of the most refreshing and beautiful shows of this year, Amazon Prime Video’s Bandish Bandits has received a lot of love and appreciation for its music, performances, and visual landscape. The story of two lovers who come from different musical backgrounds, has the vivacious Shreya Chaudhry as one of the protagonists.
Shreya plays the headstrong Tamanna Sharma, a pop singer who wants to make it big in her field. Having made her debut in acting in 2017’s Dear Maya alongside Manisha Koirala, followed by a short film by Imtiaz Ali, this is her debut in a web series. Shreya tells TMM she is overwhelmed by all the love she has received from viewers. Excerpts from an interview:
TMM: Before the release of the show, did you have any inkling that it would get such a positive response?
Shreya Chaudhry: No, it wasn’t expected at all. I was just so happy with the fact that I was getting to work on this project, that I never ever really thought about what it would be like when the show is out. I will tell you that a day before the release, I was really nervous and felt like I was giving a part of myself to the world. Now when I look back, it feels amazing that Bandish Bandits is not just my baby, it’s become everybody’s baby. It’s just overwhelming that the show has got so much love.
TMM: Are you anything like your character, Tamanna Sharma?
SC: Initially, I thought I was very different from Tamanna. I still do. She has a lot of qualities that I wish I possessed. It was a lot of fun to play Tamanna for 75 days. She is extremely sassy, very independent, fashionable, strong, and really knows how to live in the moment. She has a dream and is a go-getter. Even the realization she has at the end of the series is amazing. I really hope I can take all these qualities from her and imbibe some of them. Shreya on the other hand is pretty laidback, relaxed, and goofy as well (smiles).
TMM: Prior to BB, what was your association with music?
SC: My association with music has just been that I listen to a lot of it! (laughs) I listen to music when I’m sad, when I’m happy, when I’m celebrating and when I’m working out. I truly have a song for every mood. I haven’t been formally trained but I did take training sessions for BB which was an amazing experience. In fact, that has continued even after the show. There is a deeper understanding and appreciation of different genres of music.
TMM: In a short span of time, you have worked with stalwarts such as Manisha Koirala and Naseeruddin Shah. What does that mean for a newcomer in the industry?
SC: One always hopes to be in the company of greats in whichever field they choose. For me, to be in the same room as Manisha Koirala in Dear Maya or with Naseeruddin Shah, Atul Kulkarni, Sheeba Chaddha in BB, meant a lot. Just to be able to observe them and interact with them was a learning experience. You can see what truly sets them apart as actors. They have a common thread of that dedication they put in their craft and the passion with which they work. I really hope I have been able to imbibe even a small percentage of it.
TMM: Any special message or feedback that stood out for you?
SC: All of it! I have literally read every single message, DM, or tweet and attended to every call about the show. It is so exciting that so many people have watched my work and appreciated it. Each message has made me feel special. Of course, it felt really special when my parents and my family gave me their feedback.
The feedback I have received from my director, my producer , and the actors I worked with is equally valuable to me. I want to thank every person who has not just taken out time to watch the show, but taken that extra five minutes to reach out to me and give me their love.
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