‘I want to be an actor, not a star…’: Simran Ashwini gets candid about experience on acting block

Although she is a new entrant on the acting block, actor Simran Ashwini has already spent time understanding the craft of cinema from behind the scenes. The daughter of well-known producer Ashwini Sidwani, she assisted acclaimed filmmaker Nagraj Manjule on the 2023 Marathi film ‘Ghar Bandook Biryani’, before stepping in front of the camera for the recently-released series ‘Matka King’, also created by Nagraj and produced by Ashwini.

Set in 1960s Mumbai, ‘Matka King’ features actors Vijay Verma, Kritika Kamra and Gulshan Grover, with Simran playing Vasudha - a privileged, layered character with a quiet rebellious streak.

Simran Ashwini speaks about her experiences on set, learning the ropes and why she is focused on being an actor first, in this chat with Deepa Natarajan Lobo.

Did you always want to be an actor?

Yes, since childhood. My mother was an actor before she became a producer, so I was always in and around that world. I used to watch many films growing up, and it always fascinated me.

Who influenced you while growing up?

I grew up watching actors Irrfan Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. Films such as ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’ were a big part of my childhood. My sister and I would often go through magazines and fight over who got to be Kareena or Rani. It was a different time - simple and so much fun.

You worked in ‘Matka King’ after assisting with a film. Did that experience help?

A lot. I was a continuity assistant director in ‘Ghar Bandook Biryani’, and that experience stayed with me. In ‘Matka King’, I was very particular about continuity. Even small things like remembering my mehendi design or nail polish across scenes became important. For me, those small details felt like big wins - it made me feel like I knew what I was doing.

What was it like - being on set with actors Vijay Varma and Gulshan Grover?

Honestly, I was very nervous. My first scene was with everyone around, and I just blanked out. I forgot everything I knew about acting. But the environment helped. Nagraj guided me step by step and made sure I didn’t feel overwhelmed. Once I settled in, it became much easier.

Does coming from a family with a film background make the journey easier?

Yes, coming from a family with a film background does make the environment more familiar, but one still doesn’t get work easily. If that were the case, I would have started much earlier. So, I wouldn’t consider myself a ‘privileged kid’. Even now, I’m not playing the lead. I have a prominent role and I’m okay with that. I’m still learning. Moreover, I want to be an actor, not a star. There are many stars, but not all are actors.

What does life look like for you when you’re not in the movie industry?

I actually live in Atlanta and shuttle between India and the United States. When I’m there, I work as a Montessori school teacher and a swimming instructor.

I’ve always been into sports - I’m a national-level swimmer. So I go back to that whenever I can. I also travel with my family during my free time and have been to 35 countries so far.

What’s on the cards for you?

I’ve signed two projects and will be travelling to Istanbul soon for a shoot. I am very excited about it.