An ‘overwhelmed’ Sanjeeta Bhattacharya is having sleepless nights as Jawan’s release date is inching closer. Not known to many, the Feels Like Ishq (Netflix) actor has also written and sung a Spanish song for Jawan besides being an integral part of ‘Chief’ Shah Rukh Khan’s girl gang. She hopes Jawan changes the course of her career in acting and also provides exposure as a musician. Ahead of the release of the Shah Rukh Khan biggie, Sanjeeta Bhattacharya talks to The Telegraph Online about her ‘once-in-a-lifetime experience’ called Jawan, directed by Atlee.

One day to go for the release of Jawan! Are you sleeping at night?

Sanjeeta Bhattacharya: I haven’t slept for the last three or four days. There’s so much adrenaline, happy and nervous energy. I am a bit overwhelmed with the response. The pre-release events have been surreal. The countdown to Jawan is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I am still processing it. I think the day I will see myself on the screen is the day I will believe that it’s happening (Laughs). We had anticipated that this would happen because we have the best and the biggest names coming together. I am grateful to be a part of it.

What was your first thought when you were told that you would be a part of a film starring Shah Rukh Khan?

Sanjeeta Bhattacharya: I will never forget it. When I got a call from (casting director) Mukesh Chhabra’s office, it was almost unbelievable. My parents didn’t believe it. The day I went to the sets, that’s when it started hitting me.

The prep for the Jawan shoot must have been fun as well as physically taxing. Tell us about the experience.

Sanjeeta Bhattacharya: There were stuntmen flown down from all over the world. We had combat training and we were taught how to hold the gun properly. It was completely new for someone like me. It was fun and scary. Even in terms of choreography, there was a week of training with Vaibhavi Merchant’s team. My character demanded a very different version of me — serious and edgy. I had some observational training. It’s awesome to get to do it.

Coming to your first interaction with Shah Rukh Khan, what was the moment like?

Sanjeeta Bhattacharya: We were shooting in Mumbai. He came, greeted us, gave us bear hugs and kisses on our foreheads. It was such a sweet gesture. You don’t expect someone like him to treat you like that. The intimidation was gone. It was very fatherly. He made us comfortable. One day, he was having some coffee and I asked him about it. He asked, ‘Aapko chahiye?’ and I said yes. Then he got me some coffee. We spoke about Delhi. We lived in the same neighbourhood. We talked about things other than films.

What are your top learnings from Shah Rukh?

Sanjeeta Bhattacharya: Humility, kindness and the way he makes people around him feel comfortable. He’s extremely self-aware, which is very attractive and respectable. He knows what the audience wants. He knows what he is doing. Even in Pathaan, there was referencing. Those nuanced things come from him. He introduced certain dialogues and scenes. He knows he is an icon but he knows people love him. He is so charming. (Smiles)

It seems that the chief’s girl gang have been bonding like a house on fire. You had each other’s back. What was the vibe on the sets?

Sanjeeta Bhattacharya: To be honest, the six of us bonded like family. We were like sisters. I thank Atlee sir and Mukesh sir for casting us together and bringing us in this capacity. We shared our highs and our lows. If we wanted help, I could reach out to Priya (Priyamani), Sanya (Malhotra), Girija (Oak Godbole), who are way more experienced than I am. They would give us lessons on what we deserve, what we should ask for, what isn’t okay or any kind of advice for that matter. We became best friends for life. We have a little WhatsApp group called Good-To-Go Chief, where we share our lives. We recently discussed how grateful we are for each other. This film got me these angels.

How was the collaboration with Atlee?

Sanjeeta Bhattacharya: Atlee sir’s vision is very stylised. He knows what he wants and how he wants to portray it. He makes massy films with important messages for the society, which is quite a skill. He can execute it well. There’s drama, action and romance, but the hero of the film is the message. I am glad it’s a pan-Indian film for everyone to watch. Nayanthara ma’am and Vijay (Sethupathi) sir are also beautiful people.

You are an actor-cum-musician. How important is Jawan at this point in your career?

Sanjeeta Bhattacharya: It has the potential to change the trajectory of anyone’s career, not just mine. This is the beginning of a huge thing and it will trickle down to my music career because the Indian audience wants to recognise a face along with the song. Bollywood is the platform where people would be curious to know what else I can do, so I am hoping my music career will be positively affected by Jawan.

You happen to have a song in Jawan, right?

Sanjeeta Bhattacharya: I wrote and sang a song, which was composed by Anirudh (Ravichander). Atlee sir called me if I could write a song. It was a last-minute decision. He knew I was a musician. Anirudh sent me a track. I had to sing and send it back. The song is in Spanish and is called Mis Chicas, which means ‘my girls’. It’s in the film. I met Anirudh recently and he said ‘it sounds killer’.

Any idea what producer Shah Rukh Khan’s reaction to your song is?

Sanjeeta Bhattacharya: I don’t know about it but I remember singing my songs on the sets. When he came to know that I am a musician, he brought in a guitar, and a mic, and asked me ‘Kuch gaa ke sunao.’ He absolutely loved my songs. (Smiles)

As both acting and music are demanding, how do you divide time?

Sanjeeta Bhattacharya: Sometimes it gets difficult because of time management. I have to give up on one for another. Music shows are for two hours but one scene can last 12 days. I have to detach. I try to give equal time and I also take breaks in between as I can’t be working all the time. During my breaks, I do nothing. I rejuvenate and replenish. I want to be known as a well-rounded artist because I don’t think one is more important than the other. I have grown up with music and acting is my newfound love. I have learnt Kathak for 10 years, so I don’t want to box myself into something.

Where do we see you next?

Sanjeeta Bhattacharya: I have auditioned for a few things. There’s Broken News Season 2. My two singles will be released soon. I have shot for Adbhut, which stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui. I have also shot another web show for Prime Video.