The newest Mrs in B-town, Swara Bhasker is an actress who needs no introduction. She has made a mark in her decade-long career several times and is known for speaking her heart out, whether it’s about the characters she has portrayed or about the gender disparity in Bollywood or even about the right candidates to rule the country. Swara is unconventional, unabashed, and unapologetic, but poised and resilient, and that’s why we love her! We chatted with the Veere Di Wedding actress about her love story, how life has changed after marriage, and a lot more. Take a look! – By NIHARIKA KEERTHI
Firstly, congratulations on your wedding. How does it feel to be married?
It feels new. It feels great. The nicest part is being married to a partner who is a friend too. We can speak openly and honestly about anything and everything. It feels like I’m in a safe and comfortable place. It’s lovely.
Has marriage changed your life in any way?
Yes of course! There’s another person to think of in every nitty gritty decision of the day, like what we’ll have for lunch or what plans we have for the evening. Life plans and longer plans are now a discussion of two people. There’s another whole family (his) that one is a part of now, so that’s something to consider. One is no longer a solo rider. That’s the biggest change. For the rest, it’s still me as I was. I couldn’t cook before marriage, I cannot still (laughs).
Tell us about your love story with your husband Fahad Ahmed. How did you meet and fall in love?
Fahad and I met at a CAA-NRC protest in December 2019. He was one of the organisers and I was one of the speakers. We became friends over the course of the movement against CAA-NRC and stayed in touch over the years. We worked together on a cultural event called ‘India My Valentine’ too. Over the years we became close friends. Last year we started talking a lot, and I had gone through a small medical surgery and was on bed rest for two weeks. I had told Fahad about it and he was really kind and caring and would come see me and spend time with me often. Slowly we began to talk for hours everyday and eventually after my friends prodding, I asked him what he thought was going on between us, and Fahad basically proposed marriage which I thought was a joke. I shrugged it off and didn’t say yes, but I didn’t say no either.
I was very apprehensive about our many differences, including age. But that week I had to travel to the US for a few weeks for events, and I missed him a lot. When I got back, we got together and began seeing each other like a couple. We told both sets of parents who were initially taken aback but then came around quite quickly.
I didn’t want an extended dating situation and since the marriage talk was on the table we decided to go ahead and take the leap. We filed our papers for a registered marriage under the special marriage act in January 2023 and served a 30 day notice period. I was shooting for Mrs. Falani in Raipur, I wrapped that up and returned on February 15th and on 16th February we got married in court. It was a whirlwind but I guess one should be swept up in love!
You have been part of several big hit films, having worked with some great directors and alongside stalwart actors. Which film was the most memorable for you and why?
Every film is memorable in its own way. Tanu Weds Manu was very special as it was the first time I’d worked on a big scale Bollywood project and the friendships I made and lessons I learnt made it more special.Listen Amaya was great as I got the chance to work with Farooque Sheikh sir and Deepti Naval ma’am.Raanjhanaa for Bindiya, Sonam and love, Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo for the experience of working with Sooraj sir and Salman sir, Nil Battey Sannata and Anaarkali of Aarah for the prep I put in and the characters I played and the passion the directors and I shared, Veere Di Wedding for the friendship and madness, Jahaan ChaarYaar for the role, Mrs. Falani for the challenge and all my OTT shows—It’s Not That Simple, Bhaag Beanie Bhaag, Rasbhari and Flesh for the hard work and diverse roles.
Having started your career in acting over a decade ago, what would you call the turning point in your career?
I think turning points come many a times in one’s career. For me they would be Raanjhanaa, then Prem Ratan Than Paayo, Nil Battey Sannata, Anaarkali of Aarah and Veere Di Wedding.
You have played some very offbeat and bold roles, some of which have got you a bit backlash. How do you cope with it?
If you have conviction in the role, in the film and the director’s vision, then one can deal with backlash. What is backlash after all? It’s just someone’s opinion different from yours. Sometimes expressed harshly. I can live with that.I try not to let public opinion define who I am.
Which role has been the most challenging and which has been the most fun one?
Bindiya from Raanjhanaa was the most fun.Chanda from Nil Battey Sannata, Anaarkali from Anaarkali of Aarah, and Sakshi Soni from Veere Di Wedding were the most challenging.
Theatrical films vs OTT, what’s your pick?
Any good story and meaty part. I don’t go by the distribution platform.
What are your ongoing projects?
I’ve just wrapped up shooting and started dubbing for Mrs. Falani, an anthology of 8 different stories where I play 8 different female characters.
Tell us more about your political career. What made you get involved in it and what is your aim?
I don’t have a political career…yet! Having an opinion on politics doesn’t mean you have a political career. It just means you are an aware citizen who cares about their country.
Will we see you more involved in politics now that you are married to a social activist?
I mean, I didn’t marry Fahad as a route into politics. So no, I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it really.
What are your plans for this summer?
I have to wrap dubbing for Mrs. Falani and then hopefully Fahad and I can take our long due honeymoon which still hasn’t happened!
How do you beat the heat? What’s your favourite part about the summer months?
I beat the heat by staying out of the sun and drinking lots of cold beverages. Aam Panna is a favourite. My favourite part about the summer is mangoes!
Any parting thoughts for our readers?
Be kind to yourself and to others. Kindness will save our world.
