Shayoni: I have a bond with SRK, but I can't ask him for work
The girl, who played the superstar’s manager in Fan, is finding her footing in Bollywood
Shayoni Gupto was last seen as Shah Rukh Khan’s manager in Fan. Next: she’s the sutradhar in Jagga Jasoos and the parallel lead in Baar Baar Dekho. A well-recalled model, she is now ready to go the whole hog in Bollywood. In a freewheeling chat, Shayoni lets SpotboyE into her little world.
You have two big films lined up – Jagga Jasoos and Baar Baar Dekho. Tell us about your roles.
I have shot for Jagga Jasoos but I honestly don’t know what is going on with it. Sometimes it scares me, but that is Anurag Basu’s style of working. As for Baar Baar Dekho, it’s a second lead – I play a funky girl. It was great working with Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif. Kat and I have worked together on Jagga also. She’s so beautiful and such a humble soul. In fact, we became closer on Baar Baar Dekho.
You had a pivotal role in Margarita, With A Straw but you got noticed only in Fan. How did Fan happen?
When Shanoo Sharma’s (casting manager of Yash Raj Films) office got in touch with me for Fan, I couldn’t believe it. Maneesh (Sharma, director) had still not seen Margarita but he loved my performance in the trailer. At the audition, I was told I’m playing a star’s manager. When I found out it was SRK, I thought maybe I need some workshops with him. That wasn’t possible really. But it was such a fulfilling journey to work with him. Pooja Dadlani, his manager, even helped me with my character.
How was your first day with Shah Rukh Khan?
I was so excited. When I went to the floor, he was already filming a scene. Maneesh then called me to rehearse for the next scene. I thought he will introduce me to SRK, but he didn’t. We started rehearsing as if I have been his manager forever. After the rehearsal, SRK said, “Baby, I don’t know your name.” That’s how he broke the ice. At the end of the day, he hugged me and said, “You’re very talented.” I was so zapped, I didn’t even say thanks. I have forged a bond with SRK but I will never walk up to him and ask him for work. I do not function that way.
Looking back, how did you make your foray into movies?
I was working at a corporate in Delhi where I was earning a fat salary, but I was always interested in acting. I decided to go to FTII after I had earned enough money to afford the course. My mother threatened to kill herself because she didn’t like the move, but I was determined. I came to Mumbai in September 2011. I was sure no one will cast me in a film just like that because it’s a competitive space.
Go on...
I got an ad within two weeks. In the first month, I got my first feature film, Secondmarriage.com. No one saw it, although it was a great script. Then I did a travel show with Saeed Mirza. I worked with Manav Kaul on Tathagat, on and off camera. Just then, Margarita With A Straw came by. While I was not doing big films, I constantly did theatre and ads which took care of my bills.
You seem to be more inclined towards niche films...
It’s not just niche films that I want to do. I want to be in every industry where a good role is up for grabs. I want to do a song-and-dance movie too. I want to be proud of my body of work, which is why I’m not eager for typical heroine roles. I hate being a flower pot. I even choose my ads. When you consistently do good work, you will only get good work. SRK is the biggest example. He’s the biggest star today but he started with no one here.
What’s in the pipeline for you?
I haven’t signed anything new yet. I auditioned for Kahaani 2 for Sujoy Ghosh, but it didn’t work out. I was too young to play the part maybe. I have two short films to shoot.
Now that you’ve started your Bollywood journey, is there ever a moment when you feel like going back to your old life?
I don’t ever want to go back to that corporate job. It’s criminal to have talent and not use it correctly. My CEO offered to let me work while I was studying at FTII but after two days, I gave up. He even gave me Rs 90000 when I was leaving Delhi – I repaid the amount to him after I started getting work. I’ve realised I’m a workaholic but not the 9-to-5 job kind.
Image Source: instagram/sayanigupta
You have two big films lined up – Jagga Jasoos and Baar Baar Dekho. Tell us about your roles.
I have shot for Jagga Jasoos but I honestly don’t know what is going on with it. Sometimes it scares me, but that is Anurag Basu’s style of working. As for Baar Baar Dekho, it’s a second lead – I play a funky girl. It was great working with Sidharth Malhotra and Katrina Kaif. Kat and I have worked together on Jagga also. She’s so beautiful and such a humble soul. In fact, we became closer on Baar Baar Dekho.
You had a pivotal role in Margarita, With A Straw but you got noticed only in Fan. How did Fan happen?
When Shanoo Sharma’s (casting manager of Yash Raj Films) office got in touch with me for Fan, I couldn’t believe it. Maneesh (Sharma, director) had still not seen Margarita but he loved my performance in the trailer. At the audition, I was told I’m playing a star’s manager. When I found out it was SRK, I thought maybe I need some workshops with him. That wasn’t possible really. But it was such a fulfilling journey to work with him. Pooja Dadlani, his manager, even helped me with my character.
How was your first day with Shah Rukh Khan?
I was so excited. When I went to the floor, he was already filming a scene. Maneesh then called me to rehearse for the next scene. I thought he will introduce me to SRK, but he didn’t. We started rehearsing as if I have been his manager forever. After the rehearsal, SRK said, “Baby, I don’t know your name.” That’s how he broke the ice. At the end of the day, he hugged me and said, “You’re very talented.” I was so zapped, I didn’t even say thanks. I have forged a bond with SRK but I will never walk up to him and ask him for work. I do not function that way.
Looking back, how did you make your foray into movies?
I was working at a corporate in Delhi where I was earning a fat salary, but I was always interested in acting. I decided to go to FTII after I had earned enough money to afford the course. My mother threatened to kill herself because she didn’t like the move, but I was determined. I came to Mumbai in September 2011. I was sure no one will cast me in a film just like that because it’s a competitive space.
Go on...
I got an ad within two weeks. In the first month, I got my first feature film, Secondmarriage.com. No one saw it, although it was a great script. Then I did a travel show with Saeed Mirza. I worked with Manav Kaul on Tathagat, on and off camera. Just then, Margarita With A Straw came by. While I was not doing big films, I constantly did theatre and ads which took care of my bills.
You seem to be more inclined towards niche films...
It’s not just niche films that I want to do. I want to be in every industry where a good role is up for grabs. I want to do a song-and-dance movie too. I want to be proud of my body of work, which is why I’m not eager for typical heroine roles. I hate being a flower pot. I even choose my ads. When you consistently do good work, you will only get good work. SRK is the biggest example. He’s the biggest star today but he started with no one here.
What’s in the pipeline for you?
I haven’t signed anything new yet. I auditioned for Kahaani 2 for Sujoy Ghosh, but it didn’t work out. I was too young to play the part maybe. I have two short films to shoot.
Now that you’ve started your Bollywood journey, is there ever a moment when you feel like going back to your old life?
I don’t ever want to go back to that corporate job. It’s criminal to have talent and not use it correctly. My CEO offered to let me work while I was studying at FTII but after two days, I gave up. He even gave me Rs 90000 when I was leaving Delhi – I repaid the amount to him after I started getting work. I’ve realised I’m a workaholic but not the 9-to-5 job kind.
Image Source: instagram/sayanigupta
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