Adah Sharma interview: The Kerala Story was about women empowerment, not politics

Actor Adah Sharma made a strong Bollywood debut with 1920 and regained the spotlight with The Kerala Story. Her latest theatrical release, Tumko Meri Kasam is out to entertain her fans once again. She answered some questions in an exclusive interview with Live Mint.

Adah Sharma on working with Vikram Bhatt

Tumko Meri Kasam marks Adah's reunion with filmmaker Vikram Bhatt who once gave her the debut opportunity. She said, "Vikram Bhatt gave me my debut film 1920 when I had not done anything before. I wasn’t a Miss India model or anyone’s daughter. Just on the basis of my audition and look test, he said, ‘I really like your audition,’ and gave me the film.

"No one ever questioned my acting abilities after that film. Sometimes, an actor needs to do 10 films to prove they can act. But because he gave me the film and directed me so well, that was taken care of in my very first film itself."

Adah is keen on choosing films that address social taboos or difficult-to-discuss topics. "These stories need to come to light, people need to talk about them," she added.

Similarly, her film, Tumko Meri Kasam is inspired by Dr. Ajay Murdia, founder of Indira IVF, and his struggles to set up India's largest IVF chain with his wife Indira. Adah Sharma and Ishwak Singh play the younger versions of Indira and Ajay. Anupam Kher plays Ajay from his older days.

The film highlights the challenges and societal stigmas couples encounter while dealing with fertility issues.

Adah shares, "It ultimately comes down to women empowerment and feminism, which is something I truly believe in---whether it is The Kerala Story."

Adah Sharma on The Kerala Story being called a political film

While many called The Kerala Story a politically-driven film, Adah explained why she finds it different. "For me, The Kerala Story was a women empowerment movie. You need to talk about these things that are hidden beneath the surface and bring them to light so that more girls become aware. They don’t get brainwashed and taken away to become suicide bombers in the name of love (love jihad).

"Honestly, for me, it was a women empowerment film. Terrorism is something I do not stand for, but the main issue for me is-- how can anyone be brainwashed and taken away to become a suicide bomber or a terrorist, or be gang-raped by men every day? How is that okay? Why aren’t we speaking up about it? If I have the opportunity, I will.

"The political angle comes when someone opposes the movie. They will say, ‘Ban it.’ But there are also people who will come forward and support the film.

"Even Bastar: The Naxal Story was such a sensitive movie. You don’t know if anyone is going to watch it or if it will get banned. I like being a part of stories like that. If I am getting chosen to do these films, I will do them. It’s a women empowerment thing."

Adah Sharma on patriarchal society

"Mard apni mardangi ks piche kamiyan chhupatein hain, bechari aurat ko banjh ka naam de diya jata hai," says Adah as Indira in the film.

"This definition of mardangi needs to change. It is not spoken about, but if a man's sperm count is low, then is he not a mard? If a couple can't get pregnant, the first thing people say is that the woman is the problem."

Is Tumko Meri Kasam regressive?

While many people might find this regressive in today's world, Adah argued: "It happens even nowadays. In the film, I am playing a character from the 80s. Back then, people wouldn’t openly talk about these things, but even now, they don’t because of the stigma attached to it. I hope movies like this help people understand that there’s no shame.

If you have diabetes, you take medicine; there’s no shame in that. It doesn’t make you any less of a man."

Tumko Meri Kasam released on March 21. It also features Esha Deol and Sushant Singh.