Surjasikha Das on Her Non-Glamorous Role in Maa: 'If the Role Offers Scope, I’m In'

Actress Surjasikha Das, known for her performances in Call Me Bae, Gutargu Season 3, The Night Manager, The Trial, and a cameo in Bade Acche Lagte Hain Season 3, is now earning acclaim for her impactful role as Nandini in Kajol’s film Maa.

Sharing how the role came her way, Surjasikha recalls, “I was walking around Aram Nagar looking for auditions when I was called for a test. At first, I thought, another mother’s role? But I decided to give it my all. The director spoke to me in detail about the character and asked if I’d be comfortable playing a non-glamorous, older woman with a daughter. Honestly, glamorous or not, I just want to perform. If a role offers scope, I’m always ready.”

To bring Nandini to life, Surjasikha underwent intense preparation. “I consciously changed my physicality to look more mature, even put on some healthy weight. I spoke to my sisters who have young kids to understand their reactions, and I revisited memories of my own mother and childhood. All these small details helped me layer the character deeply.”

Talking about the filming experience, she says, “It was unforgettable. On the second day itself, I had a big emotional scene on a huge set filled with experienced actors. I was terrified, thinking either I’d impress everyone or fail miserably. But when the director called ‘cut’, everyone started clapping. It was overwhelming. I called my mom, crying, telling her ‘I did it!’”

The appreciation for her transformation and performance poured in even before the film’s release. “At the premiere, people congratulated me for the role and how different I looked. We shot for nearly 38-39 days, and working with such a large team under pressure taught me so much about acting and life. I feel blessed to have been part of this journey.”