The gorgeous young woman in this photograph is Bollywood’s newest breakout star, Sharvari. Yesterday, she celebrated her 29th birthday. Two days earlier, on Friday, she had a major release in Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’. Notoriously demanding and overly analytical critics have praised her performance as restrained, sincere and deeply felt, avoiding melodrama while conveying the ache and longing at the heart of the Partition-era romance.
A year ago, when Sharvari was being spoken of as one of Bollywood’s most promising young actors, I felt she was already beginning to look like one of its safest bets. Yet it is YRF’s spy thriller ‘Alpha’, releasing on July 3, that could prove the real game-changer. Paired with Alia Bhatt in the first female-led chapter of the studio’s Spy Universe, a franchise traditionally dominated by male superstars, Sharvari now stands on the threshold of a much bigger stage.
Unlike many star children who arrive in Bollywood with a ready-made launchpad, she spent years learning the ropes behind the scenes. Before facing the camera, she worked as an assistant director on several films, including Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Bajirao Mastani’. It was hardly glamorous work. She was one of many young aspirants fetching schedules, observing actors and absorbing the mechanics of filmmaking from the sidelines.
When I met her recently, she chatted away with me in Marathi, delighted to learn that I had once interviewed her maternal grandfather, the Shiv Sena leader and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, over a home-cooked lunch at Mantralaya. Some young stars cultivate an aura of exclusivity and mystery. Sharvari projects something different. She came across as warm, grounded and unusually polite for someone whose career trajectory is currently soaring.
Perhaps the journey from assistant director to leading lady has left her with a sense of gratitude rather than entitlement. She possesses the polish to belong in Bollywood’s upper ranks, yet retains enough humility to remember the view from behind the camera. In an industry where success often creates distance, Sharvari still seems to carry a little of the assistant director’s curiosity and appreciation into the spotlight. Audiences have a way of recognising such qualities. And more often than not, they reward them.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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