Adah Sharma: Whether a film works or not, at least the choice should feel honest

From horror and action dramas to films inspired by real events, Adah Sharma has explored different genres through her career. The actress, who will next be seen in Governor: The Silent Saviour, believes that regardless of whether a story is rooted in reality or fiction, the emotional truth of a character remains the most important aspect of a performance.

She says, “After something as intense as The Kerala Story, I was part of Sunflower, which was completely different in tone and energy. Then came Reeta Sanyal, which belongs to a world of fiction, fantasy and action, where logic takes a backseat and entertainment takes over. Whether it’s 1920, Commando, Heart Attack or Kshanam, nothing feels unreal while performing. Be it someone possessed, a murderer, a cop or a soldier, it all has to feel truthful because even fiction becomes believable when the emotions ring true.”





While fictional roles allow room for imagination and reinvention, portraying real-life characters brings its own sense of discovery. She explains, “The best part about true stories is that sometimes you can actually meet the people you are portraying. I’m currently shooting a biopic, and it’s interesting to understand a real person closely. Fiction, on the other hand, gives you the freedom to create someone entirely through your imagination.”

For her, critical acclaim and commercial success were never mutually exclusive. She says, “My first film, 1920, gave me both. People appreciated my performance and the film worked commercially too. So very early on, I never felt like I had to choose between critical acclaim and commercial success. I believe you should genuinely enjoy what you are doing and feel excited about it. If that remains intact, then whether a project becomes critically loved, commercially successful, both or neither, at least the choice was honest.”