Finding her Rhythm : Amika Shail

Amika Shail

Having been a part of five digital shows and two television shows including the popular Gandi Baat 5 and Mirzapur 2 last year, Kolkata actress Amika Shail is all set for two more pivotal roles, with Chattis Aur Myna on Hotstar and Video Call on Cine Prime. Hashtag India gets an exclusive…

From starting your career as a singer at the age of 5 to becoming a famous artist on Indian Television tell us a little about your journey. You have been a part of several shows like Naagin, Divya Drishti and Baalveer Returns, when did you decide you wanted to switch from a career in singing to acting?

As a child I was inspired by my mother. She was my first teacher. I got into professional singing after I shifted to Mumbai post my graduation. But prior to that I was a part of a lot of reality shows. So Mumbai was like a second home I visited frequently to participate in singing reality shows like Sa Re Ga Ma, Little Champs, Amul Star Voice of India, and Bharat ki Shaan.

I have been a professional singer for seven to eight years now. I have sung for music albums and movies. I have released a few music albums as well. I have my own YouTube channel which has like 80k+ subscribers. Acting happened accidentally. My first show as an actor was Udaan on Colors TV. With the rise of OTT platforms in the country I was fortunate enough to be a part of a number of web series like Mirzapur 2, Mask Man, Gandi Baat 5 and many more. I am looking forward to the release of three new web series which includes Chattis aur Mayna on Disney Hotstar, Video Call and Nachaniya on two new OTT platforms.

Tell us a little about your upcoming shows Chattis Aur Myna and Video Call, what kind of characters do you play? How different are these roles from your previous performances?

Chattis Aur Mayna is my next series which is slated for release on Disney Hotstar. Directed by Shraddha Pasi, the series revolves around the story of three female friends who entertain people in villages with dance performances. It also features actors Vikram Singh Chauhan, Sandeepa Dhar, Nimai Bali, and Deepak Qazir. I play Dhaani, a naive village belle, who isn’t serious about dance, and wants to get married. It took me some time to understand Dhaani since we’re quite opposite in nature. It is a challenge to portray that simplicity on screen. 

Video Call is a horror show with love and betrayal built into the story. Horror is an interesting genre that lends immense scope for experiment. I played the lead, and this happens to be my first horror outing.

You have featured in popular web series such as Gandi Baat 5 and Mirzapur 2. How different is acting in a web series to acting in a daily soap?

As an actor you get a bigger platform to experiment with your skills in web series. Also with the rise of OTT platforms the kind of content that web series are providing to the audience is quite diverse. The kind of roles that I have played in the web series to date is also varied. Therefore I believe that as an actor I like performing for web series more than performing ina daily soap which is very mundane.

What entices you as an actor before taking up a project?

I look towards roles that give me a wider scope to perform on screen even if it is a small role. If it is powerful enough to leave an impact on the people I will definitely take it. 

You are a trained classical singer mentored by Gurus like Kaushik Bhattacharya and Nanda Das. What singing projects are you taking up in the near future?

I have been fortunate enough to learn from these legends. I did sing for a movie as well. But right now I am mostly singing for the web series I am part of as an actor. I recently sang the title song of Gandi Baat 5 and also for my upcoming web series Nachaniya.

You were a part of the Laxmi Bomb co-starring Akshay Kumar, how was your experience on the set? 

I have shared the screen with Akshay Kumar in the movie Laxxmi. The complete sequence that I shot with Akshay sir is memorable. I play the role of one of the antagonist’s girlfriends. I am completely smitten by the kind of person Akshay Kumar is. What could have been better than sharing the screen space with one of the most loved superstars of the Hindi film industry? Even though it was a small role in the movie I did not think twice before accepting it. I was looking forward to watching it on the silver screen though.

Tell us a little about your fitness regime. Apart from yoga, how do you keep fit? What are the three mantras you follow to keep fit?

Oh I am a fitness freak! What started as a preparation for becoming an actor has now turned into a full time passion. None of my days go without working out. I spend almost 2-2.5 hours in the gym. Now that the gyms are closed due to pandemic I make sure that I work out at home.

3 mantras that I follow to keep fit are: 

1. Eat clean. I eat only home cooked food. During these unprecedented times, it is very important to keep your immunity intact and eating the right kind of food, will surely help you achieve that. 

2. I give a lot of importance to mental health. As they say a healthy body resides in a healthy mind. So along with a fit body it is equally important to have a healthy brain.

3. DO not skip workout at all.

Finally, what’s in the pipeline? Future plans and projects

I believe in going with the flow. I have never had a checklist to myself. I have few web series lined up for release. I will talk about them when the time is right. My immediate release is this web series called Chattis aur Mayna on Disney + Hotstar. Incidentally, another of my upcoming series on Tamasha is also titled Nachaniya. I play the main lead in this one.

Quick Take:

Your Favourite websites

Shopping Websites

Dream role

I definitely wish to do an action film

Singing vs acting, what gives you a bigger high

It is extremely difficult to choose between acting and singing. It is like choosing between your body and soul.

One recent show you would have loved to be a part of…

4 more shots please

One thing you cannot live without.
Food 

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Yami Gautam on Haq: Courage, Controversy, and the Power of a Woman’s Voice

Yami Gautam’s latest film Haq has struck a powerful chord with audiences for its bold storytelling and emotional honesty. In a candid conversation with Lipika Varma, Yami reflects on what drew her to the film, her collaboration with Emraan Hashmi, the responsibility of portraying a character inspired by real struggles, and how motherhood and support have shaped her personal and professional life. On working with Emraan Hashmi: “When the film was first offered to me, and I learned I’d be cast opposite Emraan, I couldn’t imagine anyone else in the role,” Yami shares. “I’ve always admired him his grace, dignity, the music, the performances, the aura. He has a legacy that spans generations.” She adds, “When you watch the film, you’ll see the incredible energy he brings to his character. Emraan is a brilliant actor respectful, secure, and inspiring. It was a joy to work with him.” Why She Chose a Hard-Hitting Role in Haq: “I go by instinct and this story needed to be told,” Yami says. “This character reflects courage, truth, and resilience. I haven’t met the real woman it draws inspiration from, but her journey deeply moved me. It captures the true meaning of a woman’s power.” She clarifies that the film is not a biopic but a blend of facts and fiction. “As an artist, I had to understand why this case became so important. I wasn’t representing one woman I was representing many.” On Taking Up Socially Sensitive Subjects: “As actors, we have only one lens the tone of the film,” she explains. “Is it made to create controversy or to start a discussion? There’s a difference. I don’t believe in controversies. I do my work and go home.” She adds, “A film must create discussion or debate. There is no scope for being ‘average’.

Get Ready for a Blockbuster November

The wait is finally over November’s screen calendar is stacked with some of the most anticipated returns in entertainment. Clear your weekends, because your watchlist just got a serious upgrade. Stranger Things Season 5 Where to watch: Netflix The wait is nearly over for fans of Stranger Things, as the fifth and final season of the global phenomenon hits Netflix this November. Titled Stranger Things 5, the season promises an epic conclusion to the beloved sci-fi horror saga, unfolding across three releases: two volumes on November 26 and December 25, 2025, and a grand finale on December 31. Created by the Duffer Brothers and produced alongside Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen, this eight-episode season is expected to deliver the biggest emotional and visual spectacle yet. All your favourite characters return including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, and David Harbour joined by Terminator legend Linda Hamilton and Anne with an E star Amybeth McNulty, now part of the main cast. As Hawkins faces its final showdown with the Upside Down, fans can brace for nostalgia, heartbreak, and the end of an era in pop culture storytelling. Family Man Season 3 Where to watch: Prime Video The Family Man returns with its highly anticipated Season 3 on November 21. Manoj Bajpayee reprises his iconic role as Srikant Tiwari, navigating new dangers and deeper moral dilemmas as he confronts powerful global threats while balancing family life. Created by Raj & DK under D2R Films, the season promises high-stakes action, razor-sharp humour, and emotional depth. Joining the cast are Jaideep Ahlawat as Rukma and Nimrat Kaur as Meera, alongside returning favourites Sharib Hashmi, Priyamani, and Shreya Dhanwanthary. With higher risks and fresh adversaries, Season 3 is set to be the most thrilling chapter yet. From the supernatural thrills of Stranger Things to

Siddhu Jonnalagadda Interview With Hashtag Magazine

Siddhu Jonnalagadda on love, learning, and life beyond labels Siddhu Jonnalagadda: “I want audiences to know me through my work, not my personal life.”“Every role I play has a bit of Siddhu in it,” says Siddhu Jonnalagadda With Telusu Kada currently running in theatres, Siddhu Jonnalagadda steps into new territory as a romantic lead, breaking away from his much-loved Tillu image. The romantic drama shows him as Varun a man caught in the web of emotions, relationships, family ties, and the search for his own identity. Directed by debutant Neeraja Kona and featuring Raashii Khanna and Srinidhi Shetty as the leading ladies, the film marks a refreshing shift for Siddhu. In a candid chat with Priyanka Goud, he opens up about shedding stereotypes, navigating success and failure, and staying deeply rooted in his craft. On receiving mixed responses for his role in Telusu Kada I’m glad that Telusu Kada is doing well. It’s my first time playing a full-fledged romantic hero, and there’s been a lot of talk about my role. Like you said, I did come across a few people calling my character a ‘walking red flag.’ But honestly, I don’t really look at that whole ‘red flag’ part. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and that’s absolutely fine. For us, it was never about labelling the character we just wanted to portray him truthfully, with all his layers and flaws, and we went with that. On working with a debutant female director I never looked at it as working with a woman filmmaker or compared it to working with a male director. For me, she was simply my director that’s all that mattered. The thought of gender never even crossed my mind. Neeraja has always been very clear, confident, and straightforward about how she wanted things to be

Stars Light Up Diwali with Love 

Intro: Diwali is more than lamps and fireworks it’s about rituals, relationships, and creating cherished memories. Celebrities, too, embrace this spirit in their own ways, blending cultural traditions with modern celebrations. From heartfelt pujas to guilt-free feasts, here’s how stars like Adivi Sesh, Neha Shetty, and Avika Gor celebrate Diwali and what it truly means to them. Celebrity Quotes: Adivi Sesh: “I love the festive spirit that flows from Navaratri to Dussehra and then Diwali. At home, we perform Lakshmi Puja, and while I avoid crackers because of our pets, I enjoy watching the colourful sky. No festival is complete without sweets and spreading joy.” Neha Shetty: “Diwali is not just about lighting lamps, it’s about illuminating our hearts with hope, kindness, and courage. For me, parties, festive food, and time with close ones make this celebration special every year.” Avika Gor: “For me, Diwali is about spreading love, kindness, and warmth. I celebrate responsibly, visiting family and friends, exchanging hugs, and sharing sweets. The true spirit of Diwali lies in joy and togetherness.”

You May Also Like

Connect with us