Singer-turned-actress Amika Shail recently had two OTT releases on the same day — TVF’s Builders on Amazon miniTV and Bekaaboo 3 on ALTT. The girl from Uttarpara, Hooghly, chatted with us about switching to acting from singing, working with Riya Sen, handing trolling on social media and visiting Kolkata for Durga Puja.

How big a validation is it for you as an actor to have two releases on the same day?

Amika Shail: It is a huge validation for me to have two big projects released on the same date — Builders on Amazon miniTV and Bekaaboo 3 on ALTT. I was excited and waiting for these two projects to come out. It just so happened that both projects were released on the same day.

Tell us something about the character you play in TVF’s Builders on Amazon miniTV.

Amika Shail: In Builders, I play Fatima who is a fitness enthusiast. She is a cute and lovely girl who doesn’t understand practicality. She is very fond of the six pack abs type of body. So how a guy fools her by putting on a fake bodysuit is shown in the series. It was great fun playing that character.

And the character you play in Bekaaboo 3 on ALTT…

Amika Shail: I play a dashing police officer, Rasika Asthana, in Bekaaboo 3. She is a sexy, fearless, domineering and glamorous cop. The biggest twist is that despite being a cop, she participates in a plan. After her entry, there’s a twist in the story.

Your chemistry with Riya Sen in Bekaaboo 3 is being talked about. Was it challenging to shoot the intimate scenes?

Amika Shail: It was challenging but I was very excited to work with Riya. We were working together for the first time. As both of us are Bengali, we would speak in Bangla. We would discuss the scenes and see how comfortable we were with each other. Initially, we were a little awkward and hesitant about what to talk about. But soon we became friends. Riya is funny and cracks jokes on the set.

Are you concerned about getting typecast in bold roles?

Amika Shail: I have played bold characters before but I have never thought about getting typecast. It was always my choice to do the roles I have done so far.

You are a singer-turned-actress. Did you always want to get into acting?

Amika Shail: I never thought of becoming an actor. My mother used to be a singer and I have been into singing ever since I was a kid. I have done many reality shows. But destiny had other plans for me. While I was struggling as a singer, I got an opportunity to act and I took a chance.

Do you wish to pursue singing simultaneously, or are you focused on acting now?

Amika Shail: If I talk about opportunities, I’d say why do we work? To earn money, right? So, if I am getting name, fame and money – which I wanted since childhood – from acting, then why not focus on acting?

Your Instagram profile reads Bongalee in capital letters. How do you celebrate Durga Puja?

Amika Shail: I love the region and the culture that I come from and I love Durga Puja. I have celebrated Durga Puja since childhood. I have grown up seeing big pandals and idols of goddess Durga. So, a lot of emotions are associated with this festival. You’ll see alpona and different types of lighting everywhere. There’s no comparison to this festival. Just like every year, I will be in Kolkata for the festival.

What are your favourite things to do when you visit Kolkata?

Amika Shail: First of all, food. Our food is delicious and unique. I love almost every dish made with fish, especially fish fry and fish cutlet. I love hopping from one restaurant to another and I also love gorging on phuchkas. I love visiting old restaurants because you can’t get that taste anywhere else. I love visiting the temples and Burrabazar.

Was it difficult to move from Kolkata to Mumbai?

Amika Shail: Like all middle-class household kids, I also had to complete my graduation before I could pursue my dreams. It was difficult to survive in Mumbai. However, my parents supported me financially for three-four months after I moved to Mumbai. I found a job in Mumbai and started supporting myself financially. Then I started getting shows and things improved. But I make sure that I visit my hometown every year, especially during Durga Puja.

You have one million+ followers on Instagram. How do you deal with the adulation as well as the negativity that comes with it?

Amika Shail: I always enjoy negative comments the most. Because I think being an actor or a public figure, you should have both kinds of audiences. If you’re not getting trolled or not getting negative comments, then you’re not famous enough. I think negative publicity is more powerful than positive publicity. Some people troll me purposely whereas some do it just because the internet is free. It doesn’t affect me. In fact, because of their comments, a few more people see me. I believe that it’s good for a public figure.