JOIN USShe's glamorous, gregarious and a go-getter. Actor Shama Sikander follows up her success as a reality television star with her latest outing in the web series Maaya, which is directed by film-maker Vikram Bhatt.
“Yes, it feels great to be back, especially if it creates a bang. I decided to play the role as it drew me out of my comfort zone. I essay the role of Sonia aka Maaya, so the intricate layers of the human mind come forth in a psychological play. The emotional turbulence I go through has come out beautifully. I am very happy with the way Maaya has shaped up,” Shama explains.
Of course, with the web expanding its footprint by encompassing social media, the realm is absolutely endless. Shama shot to fame with her lead role as Pooja Malhotra in the famous telly series Yeh Meri Life Hai and won several awards. She has since played out as a contestant on reality shows (her killer moves in the celeb dance show Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena are legendary) and has even starred in film-maker Feroz Khan's Prem Aggan, Aamir Khan-starrer Mann and Dhoom Dhadaka opposite Jackie Shroff.
An alumnus of the famous Roshan Taneja School of Acting in Mumbai, Shama featured in Ansh: The Deadly Part, and essayed the lead role of Shunyaa on the supernatural thriller telly series Seven (from Yash Raj Films). What endeared her to little ones was her dramatic portrayal of an evil angel, 'Bhayankar Pari', in Baal Veer.
Shama grabbed headlines five years ago when she came clean on her bipolar disorder, an emotionally charged phase she was grappling with. Something that has probably led to many celebrities opening up about their intrinsic depression. "My depression and bipolar disorder changed me completely," she confesses with a smile.
"Yet when I spoke about it, my intention was simply to be honest and vocal about this real-life problem that afflicts many of us silently. A lot of turmoil builds up when we don't share or talk about our emotions and keep our feelings bottled up till they explode like a volcano and destroy everything," Shama says.
She adds, "Of course, it was the most challenging time of my life. The pain, the darkness, having to wake up and having no direction is the most pathetic feeling. But I am grateful that it happened to me, and I fought with it. It took time, but I have emerged as a stronger person. I only read in books that you are much bigger and stronger than your problems. But now, after going through my disorder and emerging successful, I can certainly say that it is true. All you got to do is keep talking to yourself. Keep reminding yourself that you are beautiful the way you are. You are loved with all your faults.”
So many perspectives have changed for Shama today. “I have realised that love is the only solution for everything in life. Often we expect too much out of our own self. We must learn to forgive ourselves and move on. Also, I have become more honest and compassionate towards everyone,” she says, visibly back to her fit and fab self with a self-driven vengeance.
“I work out every day except on Sundays,” she shares. “ I love cardio, spinning and walking. My fitness routine involves three days of weight training, and I also meditate. And yes, I eat healthy. The bottomline is to give myself proper time and energy. The secret lies in nourishing happiness in my mind and heart.”
Meanwhile, with a flurry of feted roles and appearance in telly majors including Batliwala House No. 43, CID, Boogie Woogie, Jodee Kamaal Ki, Kaajjal and Man Mein Hai Visshwas, Shama is raring to scale even greater heights. After all, jo jeeta wohi sikander!