An excerpt from Tycoon Global Magazine’s exclusive conversation
with versatile actress and producer Nazia Shaikh.
Life is unpredictable. Never in my wildest dreams had I thought of settling abroad. Being from Mumbai (TinselTown), I have seen myself to be an actor. Though I never got any formal training for acting, I have done sometheatre and modelling. My passion for acting got recognised when during myfirst feature film.
My first break came through unexpectedly, in the form of a Big Bollywood Film.I was called for the audition and selected for a role of a mutant in one of the biggest Blockbuster of Bollywood called KRRISH 3. It was informed to me that they had been looking for an actor lately and could not find the right person for quite some time. Furthermore, they were planning to remove the character from the film. My audition went mind-blowing. I got the opportunity to work with Ace director RAKESH ROSHAN and Heart-throb of India HRITHIK ROSHAN.
It was a
dream come true, to work with Hrithik Roshan, a humble, disciplined and focused gentleman. Consequently, I was offered the role of Cat Woman in this movie and the rest is history.
I arrived in Sydney, Australia in 2014, which was my first trip abroad. With the gorgeous blue harbour waters, the vibrant culture and iconic landmarks, the art galleries and food and dining precincts, I found Sydney quite mesmerising. One day after seeing a poster in a gym, I decided to participate in a Fitness Competition. I hired a personal trainer and started training for INBA (International Natural Bodybuilding Association). The trainer told me that it would take time for me to win the competition. If I secure a place among the first five, I should feel satisfied. To both, my trainer’s and my surprise, I eventually won the Gold medal in the First-timer Bikini Competition. Next, I also won three other medals in three other divisions.
My desperate urge to be connected to the movies made me produce two short films called UNSHACKLED and DARKSIDE. Both the films have been selected for various film festivals all over Europe. Currently, I am busy doing pre-production for my next film which will be completed by the end of the year.