Shriyam Bhagnani On Sumo Didi, Facing Body-Shaming And Working With Late Actor Nitesh Pandey | FPJ Exclusive

Shriyam Bhagnani is gaining recognition for her role as Hetal Dave, India's first female sumo wrestler, in the film Sumo Didi. In an exclusive interview with The Free Press Journal, Bhagnani discussed the film, her late co-star Nitesh Pandey, and other aspects of the project. Here are some key points from the conversation:

Bhagnani's journey into showbiz began in 2018 when she started acting in college plays. Before that, she was a tennis player representing West Bengal at the inter-state level. She moved to Bombay after her family relocated, and her first film opportunity came unexpectedly when a casting director approached her in Aram Nagar.

The role of Hetal Dave was offered to Bhagnani via a casting company. At the time, she was unaware of Hetal's existence and the production. Initially, she didn't take the audition seriously, but her interest grew as she researched Hetal and the production. She was impressed by the production house, Jio Studios, and their commitment to providing a dedicated team for the project.

Preparation for the physically demanding role involved a team of seven individuals, including a gym trainer for sumo and judo, a yoga trainer, and physiotherapists. Bhagnani underwent nine months of rigorous training, which she likened to a personal struggle with body shaming due to weight gain. She shared that the scenes depicting body shaming and sumo wrestling were not challenging to perform as she had experienced similar situations in her own life.

Working with late co-star Nitesh Pandey was a significant highlight for Bhagnani. Despite their limited screen time together, Pandey was known for his experience and generosity. He shared stories from various sets and provided valuable insights into his craft. Bhagnani also appreciated Pandey's optimism and his belief in the film's potential to launch a new era of characters for him. The late actor's presence on set was palpable, even on the last day of filming when he attended the wrap-up meeting.