She spun it square as a ‘turnarator’ in one of the performances of the year as a disabled cricketer in R. Balki’s film Ghoomer which was released on August 18, and is now streaming on ZEE5. Saiyami Kher, who is currently shooting for Neeraj Pandey’s Special Ops 2 in Georgia, chatted with us about the transformative experience of working on Ghoomer, her other projects and her plans to watch India in action at the semis of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in Mumbai.

After the overwhelming response that Ghoomer received upon its release, was there one moment that you had just by yourself?

Saiyami Kher: It’s funny you ask this because AB (Abhishek Bachchan) makes fun of me about this. We were in Melbourne for the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne where Ghoomer received a standing ovation. AB got emotional and was crying but I was very stoic and very matter-of-fact. He said, ‘I hate you and Balki (director) because you are so emotionless in life. I need someone who shows some emotion.’

Balki sir and I are in control of our emotions and don’t show them at all. But I, with a lot of gratitude, was overwhelmed because I never had such a positive response in my career so far. But I was in control. Even Gauri Shinde (co-producer and Balki’s wife) was like, ‘Show some excitement. What’s wrong with you?’ I used to just smile. Then Balki sir would tell her, ‘Don’t trouble her. This is how she is. She keeps it all for the camera.’

So, all of this was going on. It was a Tuesday. I was sitting alone at home, feeling a little dazed because of the hectic movie promotions and all. Just then my doorbell rang and a big bouquet of flowers came with a letter. It was Mr Bachchan’s (Amitabh Bachchan) letter of appreciation. That was the moment when all the stoicism — ‘I keep the emotions for the camera’ — went out of the window and I just teared up. It really meant the world to me because in my eight-year career, I have been at the receiving end of a lot of nasty opinions about my acting. So, the sense of validation that came with that handwritten letter is something I cannot express.

What changed in you after the gruelling and emotional rollercoaster journey of Ghoomer?

Saiyami Kher: Everyone talks about the physicality of the film but I think physicality is much easier to pick up if you give it time. The emotional journey of Anina (the character she plays in Ghoomer) was such that I had never felt so empty after completing a film. I remember we finished shooting on June 11, and on the 13th I went for a dive trip because I was so tired emotionally. As actors, you draw from the experiences that you have had from around and from within yourself. Ghoomer had taken out everything that I had in me.

I used to be a very cynical person in life. I feel that Ghoomer has changed me as a person. I started looking at things in a more positive and brighter way. I feel that life can give you second chances and you need to be ready for them. Because of Ghoomer my cynicism has reduced in a big way.

As an actor, Ghoomer has taught me a lot because it has taken me to places where I never thought I would go. It was liberating as an actor to do what I had to do in Ghoomer.

Your other film, Sharmajee Ki Beti, was screened at the recently concluded Jio MAMI Film Festival. How did it go?

Saiyami Kher: I was actually shooting in Bombay that day. I went for the screening towards the end of it. This film has had a very long journey. I shot for it way before Ghoomer. It feels like I shot for it when I was a child [chuckles]. It felt nice to watch it all come together. It is an ensemble film. It is entirely Tahira’s (director Tahira Kashyap Khurana) baby and it was special to be there with the team at the screening.

We cannot not talk about cricket while talking to you. Have you managed to watch any matches of the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup?

Saiyami Kher: It has been an extremely tight schedule because I have been shooting for Special Ops 2 in Georgia and Hungary. I have made four trips up and down to manage my other commitments back in India. But I have been watching the World Cup matches in good company. Team India has been playing at an altogether different level. Unfortunately, I have not been able to go to the stadiums. But hopefully, I’ll be going to Mumbai for India’s semi-final clash.

So, you must not have seen your favourite Sachin Tendulkar’s statue at the Wankhede Stadium in person?

Saiyami Kher: No, I haven’t seen it yet. I’ll be seeing it in person when I go to Wankhede Stadium for the semi-final.

You’re reuniting with Neeraj Pandey for Special Ops 2. What is your process with him like?

Saiyami Kher: Neeraj sir is a man of very few words. I enjoy working with him because it’s completely non-filminess, no drama, just do your work and go back, and I love that. The genre of Special Ops 2 is Neeraj Pandey’s specialty. In the second season, I am getting to do more action, so I’m excited about that. The process with him is very simple. He speaks very little, so you do what you do and then if he feels that things need to be changed around, it happens that very moment.

What makes you a fan of spy thrillers?

Saiyami Kher: Most certainly I am a fan of spy thrillers. Some of the international shows that I have enjoyed the most are spy thrillers. I think the way they are shot and the crispness in editing are very important. I not only enjoy watching this genre but also enjoy acting in it. I love doing action, so this is a very exciting set to be on. To be honest, it is not so performance-driven. It is more about physicality and choreography in action and things like that. So, it’s a different kind of fun.

You have an extremely tight schedule but are you finding any breather to explore the cities of Budapest (Hungary) and Tbilisi (Georgia)?

Saiyami Kher: Unfortunately, there’s no breather. When we were shooting for Special Ops Season 1, we had a lot of time to go out and roam around. But this time the schedule is too tight. Hopefully, I’ll get half a day but that wouldn’t do justice at all. The good thing about shooting is that you go to the best locations and get to see the best parts of the cities.

How do you manage to maintain your physical and mental health amidst such strenuous schedules?

Saiyami Kher: If you have general fitness in place, you can manage to hold up, despite a hectic work life, a lot easier than others. Especially when you are shooting something like Special Ops which is action-oriented. Plus, because you land in the morning and shoot in the evening in a cold country, you need to be physically fit.

I have spoken about running and sports and how they help me keep mentally fit. Every time I have been down and out, my running and fitness have pulled me up. And it continues to do so.

What can you tell us about your other upcoming film Agni, directed by Rahul Dholakia?

Saiyami Kher: I am playing a firefighter in Agni. Besides that, I can’t really divulge too much. The edit is going on because the film is a little VFX-heavy. Hopefully, we shall have a release in the first half of 2024.

Besides Special Ops 2, you’re also working with Neeraj Pandey on another project…

Saiyami Kher: We were supposed to start. But he has another film up for release (Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha with Ajay Devgn and Tabu). So, he has a very tight schedule. I don’t know when we will be starting on the other project. It’s in its initial stage right now. Maybe the second half of next year.

Then there’s also something that Mr Anurag Kashyap has spoken to me about. But with him, you’ll never know when it will start.

How do you plan to celebrate Diwali? Being a Maharashtrian, what are your favourite delicacies in Diwali Faraal?

Saiyami Kher: I am going to be in Georgia during Diwali. I’ll be back on the 14th. I enjoy eating chakli and shankarpale. My grandmother used to make very nice chakli and shankarpale. I miss that because she is no longer with us.