She’s never been one to follow the rules — or fit into boxes. From making her debut in 1920 without a film background to headlining The Kerala Story, Adah Sharma has carved her own path with wit, grit, and unapologetic individuality. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, Adah opens up about early success, rejection and resilience. The actress also gets candid about love, relationships, and what truly keeps her grounded in an unpredictable industry.
You entered Bollywood without a film background and made your debut in 1920, which became a surprise hit. Looking back, did that early success open doors for you — or did you still have to struggle to be seen and heard?
1920 became an instant hit with the audience, and the critics were also very kind to me. It did open a few doors — with creaky hinges. But I definitely got ghosted more in real life than all the collective ghosting I did in the film. I think I was seen and heard loud and clear, so if someone pretended not to see or hear — it’s not a “me” problem.
As an outsider in an unpredictable industry, what were the toughest walls you had to break through? Were there moments when you were replaced in films or lost opportunities because of not having a “godfather” in the industry? How did you deal with that emotionally?
Yes, innumerable times I was replaced or dropped last minute. I’ve lost count. But when I came into the industry, I didn’t come to break walls — I came to build castles in the sky. I now have a PhD in dreaming about things that are unrealistic or highly unlikely, but not impossible.
Many actors say the first big break doesn’t always guarantee stability. How long did it take for you to truly feel accepted as an actor here? After The Kerala Story became such a huge success, did it finally give you the kind of creative and professional space you had always wanted?
After being part of the highest-grossing female-led film in Indian cinema, if I still don’t feel accepted, then there’s something seriously wrong with me. Yes, I’m getting to do things I could only dream of. A month ago, I was shooting a glamorous music video; the day before that, I was filming something that left dirt in my nails. The next day, I was under four hours of prosthetic makeup. I feel very, very fortunate. I used to watch Johnny Depp and think, “Wow, I want to do such crazy stuff and be all these different people in movies.”
The film industry can sometimes be isolating for outsiders. Who, if anyone, has been your guide, mentor, or “godfather” figure in these years? How do you protect your individuality in a system that often tries to fit people into boxes?
I’m someone who gets inspired very easily. Nature has been my mentor. Trees teach you patience — they don’t rush their growth. Rivers teach you resilience — they find a way around every rock in their path. I’ve learned adaptability from seasons.I don’t protect my individuality; I allow myself to change every minute. Even if I’m stuffed into a box, I find my own way of contorting into it — upside down maybe, or in a way no one has before. Right now, I’m privileged enough to be allowed to be the box.
Living in Sushant Singh Rajput’s former apartment has brought a lot of public curiosity and questions — how do you handle that constant comparison and scrutiny with grace? Do you ever feel the pressure of social media noise — the opinions, judgments, and trolls — and how do you mentally filter that out?
Actually, people seemed very happy that I was moving into a house that had been shut for three years.Depends on who’s trolling. Just the other day, my friend sent me screenshots from Reddit. There’s an account — the same one — that has made 20 posts about me: how horrid I am, my imaginary affairs, how ugly I am. If someone is taking so much trouble, I can’t really hate them.Opinions, I think, people should have — and be allowed to have. Irrespective of gender, everyone should have an equal opportunity to at least have opinions.
When you look back at your younger self, what do you wish she had known about the industry and about herself? And today — what’s one message from your present, evolved Adah to her younger version?
I’m anything but evolved. However, I’d probably tell myself: “Own your darkness, celebrate your quirks, and never apologize for shining in a world that often prefers shadows. Because the most unforgettable stories are always a little haunted… and so are the most unforgettable women.”
You’ve often been private about your personal life. How do you view love and companionship today? Are you currently looking for someone to build a life or marriage with, or is your focus still more on personal growth and career?
Ah, love… I view it like a suspense thriller with occasional horror elements. You want it, you dream about it — but sometimes it pops up when you least expect it… and scares the hell out of you. I can’t act, dance, do music, martial arts, and paint and look for a husband. So either he just shows up — or someone finds him for me.
Has your idea of relationships changed with time and experience — from youthful excitement to deeper emotional understanding? What qualities matter most to you in a partner — especially as someone who has seen both fame and solitude up close?
I’m looking for the kind of person who doesn’t flinch when I talk to plants or crows or rehearse fight scenes in the kitchen. Someone who can handle silence, sarcasm — and most importantly, has a very, very, very small ego.
What keeps you grounded when things don’t go as planned — is it faith, family, or self-belief? What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind — not just as an actor, but as a person?
Watching some of the recently released films keeps me grounded.Honestly, I don’t think about what happens after I’m gone. I’m focused on what to do while I’m alive. I guess if good work is done, it can’t be wiped away. People still remember me from 1920. It’s been more than a hundred years (1920 to 2025)! 🤣
Finally, when the spotlight fades, who is the real Adah Sharma — and what still makes her smile every single day?
Homemade idlis, new insect sightings, wearing mismatched socks, chatting with the squirrel who comes to eat the sunflower seeds we lay out for him, talking to my therapist — the moon — and getting the best motivational advice.