If you don’t know who Shikha Talsania is yet, let me know if you’re paying any rent to live under that rock. She’s the powerhouse of talent you’ve probably caught in a play, or the girl you recognize from Wake Up Sid (she plays Ranbir Kapoor’s best friend in it). To me, she’s an old friend and an absolute joy to know in real life. She’s also the person who will cringe at cliché descriptions like the ones I’ve used above.
To me, Shikha epitomizes the spirit of Real Girl and I had to get her on board for a quick and speedy interview. This took no persuasion and that reminded me just why I thought about interviewing her in the first place. The girl has talent running through her veins and not a single air to show for it. She’s every bit the girl next door – that is until you see her perform and feel belittled by her sheer persona. Or catch her championing the cause of body positivity and keepin’ it real in Elle *frickin* Magazine! Or when she bags a mainstream Bollywood film alongside Sonam Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. You know, super casual, no biggie.
Excerpts:
Real Girl: Tell us one thing about yourself that no one knows.
Shikha: I could, but, then I’d have to kill you.
Did I mention she was blessed in the humour department?!
Real Girl: One thing you would never endorse?
Shikha: Fairness creams
YAAAASSSS QUEEN!
Real Girl: What does being a Real Girl mean to you?
Shikha: Being true to yourself.
Told you she was the perfect fit, didn’t I?
Real Girl: One piece of advice you’d like to give anyone who wants to become an actor?
Shikha: Stay strong. Work hard. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Make friends.
You heard it here first, kids!
Real Girl: Toughest part of your profession?
Shikha: Shelf life and stability.
Real Girl: What keeps you motivated?
Shikha: My want to do more, see more, feel more, see more!
*Feeling inspired*
Real Girl: Someone you look up to?
Shikha: My family, friends, colleagues. So many people and traits to look up to, I can’t pick one.
Real Girl: Describe your personal style in one line?
Shikha: Comfortable
Same girl, same!
Real Girl: What would you tell a young girl who’s not too sure what career path she wants to take?
Shikha: Try it all, you’ll eventually figure out what you want to do and what you don’t.
That’s some solid advice if you ask us!
Real Girl: Tell us one major thing college taught you?
Shikha: Not to be afraid of anything new.
(Only asked her this question because I met her in college and was super curious about what she’d say!) *Insert Sly Face Here*
Real Girl: What’s the biggest compliment you’ve received so far?
Shikha: I don’t know, each one of them is huge for me! 🙂
Looks like someone’s ODing on the Humble Pills again!
Real Girl: What’s your idea of unwinding?
Shikha: Depends. I use my dog as a pillow and watch TV or meet my friends or clean and reorganize the house.
Real Girl: Can you pick between theatre and cinema?
Shikha: No.
(Haha, that was…honest. I could have cut this out, but wanted you guys to know this side of her too!)
Real Girl: What’s your take on feminism?
Shikha: People really need to educate themselves about feminism. Most views are half baked and misinformed.
SO.MUCH.TRUTH
Real Girl: I believe in happenstance. Do you?
Shikha: Hahahahaha, I sure do!
Real Girl: One thing that “growing up” has taught you?
Shikha: Ugh, the clichéd – nothing is under your control and take nothing for granted and things will keep getting more expensive and your body will speak to you more as you get older and children will call you aunty when you park your car close the playground and shop keepers will call you bhabhi and at every family function you’ll be asked when are you getting married etc etc etc. You get the drift.
Its taught me to relax and not to give into existential angst 😀
Hahahahahha! Really couldn’t have put it better ourselves!
Real Girl: Complete the following sentence for me;
www.realgirl.co is ….
Shikha: fantastically mindblastingly brilliant!
Guys; Shikha is smart, and funny, and talented, and wise and I think you should believe her when she says that even though I pressurized her and she really did kinda have to answer this way. #JustSaying
Hope you enjoyed this interview – I know I did! If you want to see more of Shikha you can follow her on Instagram and Twitter and watch out for her in Veere Di Wedding, releasing in 2017. You can also catch her in theatre productions around the country.