Mumbai: Rising from a chawl to supreme stardom, Mahima Makwana is well known for various big projects including Showtime and Antim among others. She today rubs shoulders with the biggest in the business. She said learning from TV and moving one step further in tinsel town has made her better equipped for growth and adaptation.
Your big flick with Emraan Hashmi and Rajeev Khandelwal titled Showtime is running on screens, Tell us a little about your role?
In Showtime, I portray a fearless journalist who is pitted against the film producer Raghu Khanna played by Emraan Hashmi by reviewing his film correctly but her world turns upside down after one tragic incident as she is being made a CEO of the Viktory Studio which she never thought of and she has to build everything from a scratch and establish herself as a producer. It’s a character that resonates with me deeply, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring her to life on screen.
What is it like to be amidst a thespian like Naseeruddin Shah?
Working alongside a legendry actor like Naseeruddin Shah was a surreal experience. His presence on set was both intimidating and exhilarating, and I learned invaluable lessons just by observing his craft and dedication. I had few scenes with him and I feel it is a one time opportunity for any actor to share a screen space with a legendary actor like him. Working with him taught importance of staying true to the character even at this age.
You have worked with Karan Johar, how is he as a mentor and perfectionist in his craft?
I only met Karan Johar at the stage during the trailer launch of my show and yes he’s a perfectionist in his craft. Karan Johar is a visionary mentor who pushes boundaries and demands excellence. I’m grateful to him as well as my directors for giving me such an incredible and a challenging opportunity. It takes guts to take such controversial subjects that are widely spoken about.
You’ve done stuff like Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke on TV and now you do big screen, how do you adapt as the screen changes on a larger canvas?
Transitioning from television to the big screen has been a rewarding journey of growth and adaptation. While the scale may differ, my commitment to portraying authentic characters remains unwavering, allowing me to seamlessly transition between mediums. The shooting process remains the same but the whole way of narrating a story changes and that makes the paramount difference. But although the canvas of movies and web shows is bigger but at the end of the day television is like a school for any actor because if I wasn’t a part of the television, I wouldn’t have been able to do so many scenes in a day that I did in Showtime. That really helped me enhance my skills as an actor.
Any big plans for mainstream after Salman Khan starrer Antim?
Following Antim, like any other actor I’m exploring more and more opportunities for big screen. At the end of the day after you do a certain project, the hunt for a new project begins from zero so as an actor I’m meeting new people and auditioning for interesting stories and I’m on the verge of signing up few scripts.
You are known for projects like Tumse Na Ho Payega, Project Love and much more, how big a role does a script play in you picking the role?
The script is paramount in my decision-making process. It serves as the foundation upon which I build my characters, and a compelling script not only captivates audiences but also allows me to showcase my range and versatility as an actress. Script the only drive force of any project because only through scripts you understand the graph of your character.
Do looks matter in the cinema space or do you believe the craft tells the real story ?
While looks may initially attract attention, it’s the craft that ultimately captivates audiences and stands the test of time. I believe in the power of authenticity and depth in storytelling, where the character’s journey and emotions drive the narrative forward.
One thing you want to change for women in the cinema world, why ?
I am passionate about advocating for more nuanced and empowering roles for women in the cinema world. It’s crucial to challenge stereotypes and showcase the diverse experiences and narratives of women on screen, empowering audiences and inspiring future generations. I would also want the actress to be paid a handsome amount just like the male counterparts and them to be given equal importance when it comes to marketing.
You have seen tough times while living in a chawl and have today carved a niche for yourself? Do you want to tell something to strugglers across sectors about not losing hope?
To all the strugglers out there, I want to convey a message of resilience and hope. Despite facing adversity, never lose sight of your dreams and aspirations. With dedication, perseverance, and belief in oneself, anything is possible. Keep striving, stay true to yourself, and never give up on your journey towards success.
