For Isha Talwar, the SonyLIV show Chamak is like a film that she has already seen and a story she has already lived. Unlike her previous outings, the actress is elated to play someone closer to her in real life. Isha Talwar spoke to The Telegraph Online about why she picked Chamak and other projects that are keeping her busy.

After Mirzapur Season 2 and Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo, you play a young musician in Chamak. You must have had a lot of fun.

Isha Talwar: I play Jaswinder Kaur, who goes by the name of Jazz, in Chamak. Finally, I get to play a young girl. I am done playing bahus. I have waited to play my age on screen. It’s a relief. Also, I play an urban character that is closer to what I am in real life. Sometimes it helps and you feel a bit more connected because it’s not so far away from your reality.

I had a good time shooting Chamak. It was also tough as I had to learn to play the dhol and speak in Punjabi. Though I am a Punjabi, I don’t speak it because I grew up in Bombay in the mixed cosmopolitan Bhelpuri kind of culture. It’s fascinating that my character plays the dhol. I recommend people to learn it to get a well-toned back. I have danced but have never played the dhol, so it was a bit scary in the beginning.

Tell us about your experience of revisiting your roots while prepping for the character and what it did to you as an actor.

Isha Talwar: I stayed with a Punjabi family in Moga (a town in Punjab). I thought it would be good to stay in a joint family as it subconsciously does something to you. It will never be directly seen in the acting though. It gives a rooted feel and a backstory to the character. You do a bunch of things that you don’t do normally just to feel like you are a step closer to the person you are playing, so that you can be a bit more honest and truthful.

What is your relationship with music?

Isha Talwar: Music has been a pivotal part of my life. I go to a lot of classical music concerts. I recently went to (classical vocalist) Ashwini Bhideji’s concert. I have attended a lot of shows and music festivals. I am deeply inclined to music. I have been a dancer with (celebrity choreographer) Terence Lewis. Everybody has a song in their heart. It changes everything about a human being.

How did you relate to your character, who is an artist?

Isha Talwar: I think a whole bunch of things such as looking for work, going for auditions, meeting the kind of people that Jazz does, falling in love with another artist… all these things I have drawn from my life. Chamak kind of felt like a film which I have already seen in my life; a story which I have lived at some point in life.

At this point in your career, what do you look for in a script?

Isha Talwar: I want to do lead parts and bigger roles. I have done small parts in my life. It’s time to get a big chunk of the pie. I got recognition after Mirzapur Season 2 and Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo. I have signed two more shows, where I play the lead. I need to have fun when acting. One doesn’t want to get stuck in a project for six months with a boring character that one doesn’t want to play. I believe every character does something to you. It either takes or gives. I am a bit careful of what I pick. Now I want to do a lot of work. Makers are also important… the one I am collaborating with. These are the factors for signing a new project.

Streaming shows have been a game-changer for you…

Isha Talwar: I am a product of streaming. I don’t know how my career would have been if I had not been on streaming shows. Madhuri Jadav (Isha’s character in Mirzapur 2) gave me recognition as a performer. A whole new avenue opened up. Streaming has opened up a lot of opportunities and also a can of worms for a lot of actors, technicians and artists in the industry.

How do you hone your craft?

Isha Talwar: I have spent seven months this year in a small village in Kerala doing an acting workshop on Navarasa Sadhana. I have spent so much time learning it and documenting it. I was learning to un-prepare for life. I am in a good headspace. I feel very differently about life, which I had lost in between. One should work on their own craft. It can set you apart. You can find your own style when you train.

Mirzapur fans can’t wait for Season 3. Tell us more.

Isha Talwar: I am dubbing it. It’s coming early next year. Mirzapur is always about twists and turns. Let’s hope the drama is engaging. I have a firecracker part. There’s Rohit Shetty’s Indian Police Force, coming on January 19, which I am a part of. I have a shorter part but I did it for various reasons. I also have Shahkot, with Guru Randhawa. I have a show with Sony LIV and Disney+Hotstar. I am working with Aditya Dutt, who directed Table No. 21, and Rensil D’Silva.