Pallavi Sharda: Want to depict South Asian culture on global screens

Starring in Tom and Jerry, Besharam actor Pallavi Sharda on how she traded Bollywood for larger goal in the West

Starring in the new live action film, Tom and Jerry, was a no-brainer for Pallavi Sharda. The enduring charm of the two iconic characters that she has grown up on was the primary reason to come on board the project. “At this point, the world can do with some laughs,” says the actor, currently in Melbourne. 

Her love for the characters aside, Sharda points out that the culturally diverse narrative was a big draw for her. She plays Preeta, an NRI who is having a grand cross-cultural wedding at the hotel that is raided by Jerry. “During my growing-up years in Australia, I was that brown kid in every room. While everyone had someone to look up to in pop culture, I was left holding a mirror. So, I ensure that the films I front have authentic representation. I worked in India because 10 years ago, there wasn’t much space for me as an actor in the West. However, when I saw the cultural shift happening, I knew I had to be a part of it.” 

After Besharam, Sharda starred in Hawaizaada and Begum Jaan

So, where does that leave Bollywood? After catching everyone’s attention with Besharam (2013) that saw her opposite Ranbir Kapoor, the actor featured in Hawaizaada (2015) and Begum Jaan (2017) before disappearing from the scene. “I got opportunities, but I wanted to represent South Asian culture on global screens. I feel lucky to have worked in four continents. Begum Jaan was my [turning] point because I didn’t want to [be slotted into] the archetype of a Bollywood heroine. I gave voice to my Australian-Indian identity with Pulse [2017]. I want to represent more women from the diaspora.”

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