From acting being a very far-fetched dream to the three-to-thirty-day pipeline when shooting for Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, Taha Shah Badussha is big on making his mother proud. Here’s a chat with the breakout star of the show.
ELLE: Was acting a conscious choice?
Taha Shah Badussha (TBS): I’ve always wanted to entertain people and idolised Shahrukh Khan (I mean, who hasn’t?). Nevertheless, my entry into the film industry happened quite by chance. I was brought up in the UAE, and for somebody like me to even think that I would be able to become an actor one day was really very far-fetched. However, my mother, the wind under my wings, always supported me. I was also lucky to have people in my life who’ve always encouraged me.
ELLE: With the fame that ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ has garnered worldwide, how do you draw the line between the personal and public sides of your life?
TBS: Currently, it feels like I have no lines to draw because I have no personal life (laughs). The more I do in my professional life, the more I will achieve, which is what I aim for. My goal right now is to make my mother and my family proud and inspire whoever dreams of becoming an actor.
ELLE: ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ is culturally rich and diverse as a visual experience. Tell us about the research and prep you had to undergo to bring the role of Tajdar to life.
TBS: My earlier audition landed me a role that required three days of shooting, and the next thing I knew, I had a 30-day schedule and the role of Tajdar. Of course, a major credit for this goes to Sanjay Leela Bhansali. As far as preparation is concerned, I got a call saying, “Come to set, you are my Tajdar.” The next day, I was on set. There was hardly any time for preparation, but thank God I had done my homework and had years of hard work behind me. We had a great coach on set for language, so that helped. I learned the body language of nawabs from other movies, including how they sit, speak, hold themselves, and behave. Most importantly, I kept my eyes and ears open when Mr. Bhansali was giving us instructions so I could deliver exactly what he wanted.
ELLE: Tajdar has a very strong feminist character portrayal in the series. What does feminism mean to you personally?
TBS: I was raised by a single mother, and I learnt a lot watching her be kind and always willing to give and share love. My definition of feminism is having empathy for the other gender and respecting everyone. I can easily say that men don’t even go through ten percent of the struggles that women do-understanding this is the first step to being a feminist.
ELLE: What are your tips and tricks for staying fit during a busy schedule?
TBS: One of the major things is to just get up and show up. Some days, you shoot for over 15 hours and return to five hours of me-time. In moments like these, it is important to stay focused. I believe in spending at least an hour on fitness daily not only to maintain your fitness levels but also to have a sound mind, be completely present and get your engines running.
ELLE: Where do you see yourself ten years from now? And how have you evolved as an actor in your journey thus far?
TBS: I hope to not just be a global actor but also a producer and director in the next ten years. I feel I am growing each day, thanks to the experiences I am gaining. I am more grounded right now, I have better skills, and am someone who is constantly focused on evolving.
ELLE Quick Take
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Do You Cook?
A little bit to survive.
What is your favourite restaurant in Mumbai?
Farmer’s Cafe.
A song you have on loop currently?
As of right now, it’s Soni Soni from the movie ‘Ish Vishq Rebound.’
A Bollywood icon that you look up to?
Shahrukh Khan
Photographer: Anirudh Agarwal; Hair: Sahil More; Make-Up: Symone Neilson; Artist’s Reputation Management: Idhyah Media; Bookings Editor: Rishith Shetty; Production: Cut Loose Productions, Animal Welfare Partner: World For All Animal Care And Adoptions
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