Adah Sharma

A Beautiful Anomaly

In a candid conversation with Aza, Adah Sharma talks about her unique choices, her experience working on The Kerala Story and the countless skills she’s trained in – revealing she’s a trouper in the truest sense.

Photographs by Tejas Nerurkar; Styled by Anisha Gandhi & Rochelle D’sa Syiemiong; Styling assistance by Kashish Jain; Makeup by Kanika Arora; Hairstyling by Snehal Chandorkar; Artist reputation management Shimmery Entertainment; Creative Direction by Arthi Medithi; Words by Kajol Shah

Adah Sharma's filmography yields the insight that she's not one to pare back the intensity of the roles she chooses - the bolder, the better. As I ruminate upon our cover star’s recent win at the Dadasaheb Phalke Awards in the 'Most Promising Actress' category for The Kerala Story, I'm reminded of the movie's contentious storyline and the psychological distress it could have caused the lead stars, including someone like Adah who possesses a seemingly blithe spirit – which by the way, is countered in person by her demure demeanor. A cutesy peach dress, hair tied in a bun and comfortable slides outline the actor's fuss-free off-duty attire as she arrives at our mid-morning shoot and promptly begins discussing her looks with the team.

Shop the Look

Designer, Rohit Bal; Necklace, rings, Neety Singh Jewellery

I'm a recluse anyway but during and for some time after the film (The Kerala Story) shoot too, I spent most of my time alone.

An Actor's Story

In 2023, competing against blockbusters Pathaan and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar was a hard-hitting female-centric drama film which may have lacked the pomp but certainly not the substance. Not only did The Kerala Story mint money at the box office, grossing over ₹300 crores worldwide, but it also had 50 million+ watch minutes during the launch weekend of its OTT release almost a year later. Still reveling in the success, Adah looks back at the challenges she faced while working on the film: “I had to watch some very disturbing videos of ISIS women in terrorist camps. There were also a lot of difficult scenes that I had to shoot,” she reflects. “Detaching from the character had become a challenge; I'm a recluse anyway but during and for some time after the film shoot too, I spent most of my time alone. However, these challenges are a part of my job. I love acting and accept everything that comes with it. Besides, I had very caring co-actors and makers who made sure I felt comfortable on set.”

Adah Sharma in Yellow Blouse And Jacket Chiniya Silk Printed Vintage Lehenga Set

Shop the Look

Designer, Paulmi & Harsh; Maang Tikka, Tribe Amrapali; Bangles, TAD by Ameesha Dalmia

In a time where aspiring female actors naturally gravitate towards glamorous roles, Adah chose an unconventional genre to debut with, making an undeniable impression on the audience and critics alike. Since 1920, the supernatural horror film that kickstarted Adah’s career, our muse has regaled viewers in movies of diverse genres.

Ready in a mere fifteen minutes, Sharma is on the floor wearing the cover look - a gorgeous black floral printed Rohit Bal lehenga set from Aza. While the lighting is being set up, she reveals the many skills that have helped her master the nuances of a versatile actor. “I have been practising many dance forms since the age of three. I have completed my training in Kathak from the Natraj Gopi Krishna Kathak Dance Academy and learnt salsa while I was in the US for a few months. I’ve also tried my hand at jazz, ballet and belly dancing, as well as performed in theatre.” To give us a variation of poses, Adah bends sideways and perches herself at the edge of a vintage suitcase used as a prop. I notice that she performs the herculean task with ease, holding the pose for multiple minutes. “I am also trained in gymnastics, horse riding and Silambalam – an Indian weapon-based martial art – by the way,” she casually mentions as I praise her dexterity. Well, that checks out.

I have been practising many dance forms since the age of three. I have completed my training in Kathak from the Natraj Gopi Krishna Kathak Dance Academy and learnt salsa while I was in the US for a few months.

Adah Sharma in Yellow Embroidered Floral Bloom Scoop Lehenga Set

Shop the Look

Designer, Aariyana Couture; Bangle, H.ajoomal Fine Jewellery; Neck piece, ANAQA By Nishant Tulsiani

Aloha India

A mirror surface surrounded by sand on all sides reflects iridescent hues of the backdrop – a mirage is created by the photographer and his team in our studio. Between poses, Adah shuts her eyes as if to soak in the artificial ‘sunlight’, while wrapped in a graceful ivory Neha Khullar saree with botanical prints. Perhaps she’s transported back to her happy place – the tranquil Hawaiian island where she spent six months as a child. I politely say ‘Aloha!’ to get her attention, and to subtly allude to the time she said goodbye to India and hello to Hawaii. Adah catches on immediately and shares, “My mum’s brother is a scientist, and he had moved to Hawaii for work. My family and I decided to live with him for six months. Even while I was in the US, I tried to learn a lot of different things.”

Adah Sharma in Ivory Viscose Chinon Printed Botanical And Stripe Saree & Blouse Set

Shop the Look

Designer, Neha Khullar; Handcuff, Tribe Amrapali

Not So Serendipitous

As the hairstylist preens Adah for the next shot, in which the star dons a gorgeous Masaba lehenga, the photographer shares his suggestion through an apt reference. “Let’s follow Gulshan Grover sir,” he says cryptically, to explain the vision in his mind. While the rest of us take a second to deduce his meaning, Adah not only solves the puzzle immediately but is quick enough to join him in simultaneously delivering the mentioned actor’s famed dialogue from the movie Rangeela - where he's seen giving direction to Urmila Matondkar's character - with perfect intonation: “Sirf chaar baal!” We are all in splits.

Adah Sharma in Purple Lehenga And Blouse Raw Anar Phool Patchwork Embroidered Set

Shop the Look

Designer, House of Masaba; Earrings, rings, Nornament

So clearly Adah has always been a huge fan of Indian cinema. I implore her to tell me more, and she obliges. Our cover star’s interest in cinema and the performing arts began in childhood itself. Teenage Adah knew she wanted to enter the entertainment industry as soon as she completed her studies. She bites into her avocado rye toast before telling me how her journey in the industry began. “When I told my family I wanted to act, they said, ‘Sure, but how do we go about it?’ We had no connections in the industry. No filmmaker spotted me at a coffee shop, and I didn’t participate in any beauty pageants either. I only gave auditions after auditions.” It’s this unrelenting spirit that has landed her a role in an international film today. When asked to drop details about the same, Adah smiles coyly and declines: “I like to speak about projects only once the trailer is out. I find it to be lucky for me.” Somehow, the non-disclosure has piqued my interest even more.

We had no connections in the industry. No filmmaker spotted me at a coffee shop, and I didn’t participate in any beauty pageants either.

Adah Sharma in Pink Organza Embroidered Floral Square Saahira Garden Lehenga Set

Shop the Look

Designer, Anushree Reddy; Neck piece, bangle & rings, RE VERA

Letting her Hair Down

Were someone to ask Adah to name the one item she couldn't have done without during the shoot, she would probably mention the hair blower. Oh, how she loved the wind-in-the-hair drama (and so did we). Having observed her long, lustrous jet-black mane the entire day, we all want to know how she maintains its health despite the styling demands of all her shoots. I ask this last question as she makes her way to the elevator. “I use coconut oil twice a week, only wash my hair with cold water and try to use as little product as possible,” Adah shares. “Also, when I’m not filming, I don’t do any heat styling so my scalp is happy too!” In jest, Adah does a quick hair flip then warmly hugs me, bidding adieu.

Also Read:This supernova has many wins in her kitty, but that hasn't stopped her from being her most authentic self. Television's sweetheart, Tejasswi Prakash, talks about her upbringing, her dream wedding and handling trolling.

Get Insider Access

Adah Sharma

An Actor's Story

Aloha India

Not So Serendipitous

Letting her Hair Down

What's new on Aza Avenue?