Sarah-Jane Dias: Stuck around even when things got hard

Sarah-Jane Dias

After floundering in Hindi cinema initially, Sarah-Jane Dias found her rhythm as she chose projects that spoke to her - be it the brave Angry Indian Goddesses (2015) or the mainstream Inside Edge. With Amazon Prime Video's Tandav, the actor has added a bold political drama to her resume. In a candid chat with mid-day, Dias discusses playing a character far removed from her real-life persona, and all that went into getting it right.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

What was your reaction when Tandav was offered to you?
I was asked to audition for the show. At the time, all I knew was that Ali Abbas Zafar was directing it. I had no idea Saif Ali Khan would be a part of it. Ayesha Pratap Singh [her character] is phenomenal and strong; I love her interaction with Samar. I was excited about the series because of Ali. He is thorough with his work.

Do you keenly follow politics?
I keep abreast of everything that is going on, but I don't dive deep into politics.

A still from Tandav

What about Ayesha's character captivated you?
Ayesha knows that her place is right next to Samar, and she enjoys it. She wants to be a loving and loyal wife, and wants to make sure that her husband's ambition is realised. She will do anything to make it happen. If her actions are perceived as competitive or calculative, then so be it. Ayesha is my polar opposite. She is reserved whereas I am outspoken. She is poised, secretive, dressed in sarees all the time while I am animated, trust easily, and rarely wear sarees.

How did you prep for this character?
I have learned some interesting tools over the years, and am diligent when it comes to preparing. I went through the episodes, and ensured that I have a timeline for my character so that I know what is happening before and after. The script was so perfectly written that my character's traits could be imbibed just by reading it. Once the hair, make-up and wardrobe came into place, I felt more like the character. In terms of the preparation, one conversation with Ali was enough. I then did my own homework and developed the part the way I wanted to.

Any scene that felt empowering as an actor?
It was a scene that they included in the trailer - I say, "Congratulations, Mr Prime Minister" to my husband. The reason [the scene stands out] is because of the context behind it. I am a part of the political party, but I handle its social life.

With the show having grabbed eyeballs, do you think this role will affect your future prospects?
The series has shown a different side of me, which might surprise some people. I hope it brings more weight to my craft and proves that I am a strong actor.

Has your 18-year journey in the industry been fulfilling?
One of my good friends, Arunoday Singh, once said, "It is the ones that stick around, that really make it." It's one of the most poignant things any co-actor has ever told me. I stuck around even when it got hard and when I had no work. At times, I had too much work - I was doing everything from fashion shows to music [videos] and films. There was a time when I was holding the Miss India crown and doing endorsements for beauty products. I have also been busy with indie films.