Ajay Devgn Directing Me, Made All The Difference: Sayyeshaa

Exclusive: Playing a dancer in her next film would be a dream for Sayyeshaa Saigal.

Dilip Kumar’s grand niece Sayyeshaa’s dream role is to play a dancer in a film. (Photo courtesy: Ajay Devgn Films)

All that Sayyeshaa Saigal has ever wanted, is to be an actress. And when it came to working with Ajay Devgn in Shivaay, she was neither nervous nor scared. She was on her way to achieving her life’s dream.

Megastar Dilip Kumar’s grand-niece tells us all about her debut performance and Bollywood aspirations in this interview.

Q: Did Shivaay give you jitters of any kind?

Sayyeshaa Saigal: The response has been tremendous for the trailer and I hope the film gets a similar response. True, this is as big as it gets. Films were something that I always wanted to get into. For me, there has never been nervousness, whether it is performing in front of the camera or promoting it in full form. I am in love with the idea of all of this. There was only excitement and looking forward to more. The realisation that Shivaay is so big came out after the posters were out and not when we were shooting.

The first time I saw a film camera was on my own set. I have done one Telugu film before Shivaay. But the whole experience of shooting Shivaay was something else because of the huge set up. Instead of one camera, there were six. It was something that I had never seen before. People ask me if I was nervous, but not at all. I am my happiest when in front of the camera.

The only thing that gave me jitters was Bulgaria, as some places in Bulgaria are -20 degree and I kid you not, I froze. We were not wrapped in woollen’s because you cannot be that on screen but as soon as the shot would be over we would run towards everything warm we could find. We had this small little heater which would hardly pass out any heat but honestly it is very tough to shoot in such conditions, not just for actors but the crew as well.

Sayyeshaa has been working all these years to be in the movie business. (Photo courtesy: Ajay Devgn Films)

Q: Speaking of Ajay Devgn, is he a particular director and a spontaneous actor or vice-versa?

Sayyeshaa Saigal: I would definitely say that he is a spontaneous actor because he is so natural when he emotes. A lot of people don’t know this but as a director, he is par excellence when it comes to the technicals. Sometimes he would be operating a camera himself. The one thing he always told me was to be myself because that would come out best. That is the best piece of advice he has given me.

Sayyeshaa in an official poster from Shivaay. (Photo Courtesy: Eros International) 

Of course, I have watched all of Ajay sir’s films but thefact that he is such a fantastic actor actually hit me when I was doing scenes with him. But what was so magical was when we were doing scenes together, we would do the complete scene together and there would be no cuts.

We would finish it off in one or two takes because the flow was so good so we didn’t have to do it again and again. He is directing also, so he knowsjavascript:void(0) exactly what he wants and is very organised on set.

Sayyeshaa Saigal would be seen debuting opposite Ajay Devgn in Shivaay. (Photo courtesy: Ajay Devgn Films)

Q: You just wrapped dubbing for the film, did watching yourself on the screen take a while to sink in?

Sayyeshaa Saigal: I think I am very calm and am okay with looking at myself on the screen. A lot of people ask me how did I find myself and I don’t think I can judge myself when I see myself on screen. It’s always like, ‘I could have done better.’ I just hope the audience likes me.

Q: You have been in awe of Ajay Devgn, was that the soul reason for you to be a part of his dream project, Shivaay?

Sayyeshaa Saigal: The fact that Ajay Devgn is directing it made me all the more excited, it doesn’t happen very often. More than anything, Shivaay is a very performance oriented film. I thought through this, a lot of my skills would be portrayed.

Ajay Devgn and Sayyeshaa Saigal in a still from Shivaay. (Photo Courtesy: Eros International) 

The whole experience is something that I will never forget because it is my first film. Every day on set was memorable. When I look back, every scene has something special about it. I think the scenes that I share with Ajay sir will be most memorable

Q: Did grandparents, Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu share any words of wisdom before you stepped foot in the movie business?

Sayyeshaa Saigal: My family just wants me to be happy and do the work I amhappy doing. Honestly, I had a very non-filmi upbringing. They just tell me to work hard, train and be prepared so I know my craft well. You can leave the rest to God as that is all you can do. I am trying to follow that.

Sayyeshaa Saigal with Vyjyanthimala, Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@Amirmurt)

Q: Since you always wanted to be in the movie business, did you take up studying the craft of acting?

Sayyeshaa Saigal: I had a professor from NSD (National School Of Drama), come home to teach me acting. We would do scenes and workshops together where we would improvise. That helps in making you realise a lot of things about yourself. I have trained a lot in dance from the age of nine. That is one thing I am very passionate about. I have learnt a lot of Latin American dance forms - Rumba, Samba, Cha-cha, Jive…  in various countries like South Africa, London, Brazil. A lot of body language comes from what teachers and where you learn from. Honestly, to play a dancer in a film would be a dream.