Madalsa Sharma : Angel face with a spunky spirit

What do you get when you combine parts of Goddesses Mahalaxmi, Durga and Saraswati from Hindu mythology? A divine entity named Madalsa!

Well… that’s probably stretching things a bit too far, but then that is how Anupamaa actress Madalsa
Sharma actually got her name. Truth be told, the name did ring a distant bell, until I remembered why. Wasn’t she the girl who had married Bollywood legend Mithun Chakraborty’s son a couple of years back?

A little digging revealed more about the brown-eyed beauty who had just landed a pivotal role in the Disney+ Hotstar drama series Anupamaa, essaying the character of Kavya, the colleague and girlfriend of the protagonist’s husband. Her real-life mother Sheela Sharma had been a well-known face in Bollywood and Indian Television, having starred in films like Nadiya Ke Paar, Ghatak, Yes Boss, Mann, Hum Saath Saath Hai, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke and Humraaz, besides also regaling audiences as Devaki in 
Mahabharat.

Madalsa’s Bollywood debut came in 2011 with Angel, where she stunned one and all in her role as a cerebral palsy patient. Despite her heart-rending performance, the filmfailed to generate much interest at the Box Office. Meanwhile, she went back to being Madalasa, as her large South Indian fan base referred to her. She was soon back in Bollywood, though, with her second Hindi film in 2014, Sooraj Barjatya and Rajshri Productions’ Samrat & Co. which received rave reviews overall, a great re-launch for
Madalsa. But it failed to generate the necessary hype required for her to join the big league. Two more movies followed, before her last release in 2018.

While her story does mirror that of several others in the industry, what really piqued my interest in
interviewing her was the discovery that she had also starred in a Punjabi and a German film, besides Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and five Hindi movies among 17 in all. Her busy schedule notwithstanding – she had just packed up shooting for the day – Madalsa came across as someone who had her feet firmly on the ground even as accolades kept pouring in for her performance in Anupamaa. Excerpts from her free-wheeling chat with Bollywood Insider.

What prompted you to move to television?

It was a leap of faith for me, moving from movies into TV and it has been a great beginning. It’s a very good role, impactful, exciting and interesting with lots of shades and layers.

How similar are you to the character Kavya in Anupamaa?

Very similar actually; we both are workaholics, independent, ambitious, but Kavya is probably more ambitious. Besides, her personality changes as she goes along, starts off being a very bold woman, but mellows down as the serial progresses.

Given your mother was such a noted actor, was it a natural choice for you to go into films?

My mom was such an inspiration and so was my dad Subhash Sharma, who is a filmmaker. I have grown up in that environment right from when I was a little girl. During my growing years, I was always passionate about doing films, since I wanted to be like mom. I wished to start as soon as I finished
education.

Why did you choose to go south first before Bollywood?

My first film was in Telugu, back in 2009. I always wanted to start in the south film industry, since it is as big as Bollywood. It was great training experience acting in different languages. My first offers came from
south, so the timing was perfect, as I had just begun to look out for good roles.

Let’s talk about Angel, your debut in Bollywood. How did that come about?

My association with dance guru Ganesh Acharya got me the breakthrough role in Bollywood. Ironically, despite being trained under both Ganesh Acharya and Shiamak Davar, my role in Angel completely restricted the use of my limbs. It was my debut in Bollywood and I did not want to leave any stone unturned for the role, painstakingly getting into the skin of a cerebral palsy patient.

Why do you think despite your performance being applauded, the film did not work?

The actual game is releasing. The film was made so well, but we went wrong with the release. There wasn’t much publicity done. That was the time when the transition from solo to corporate releases was happening, so it was challenging for solo producers. Also, luck plays a big part in a film’s success. About 20-25% is how well the film is made, the rest is packaging and contacts. If a film is released in multiple theatres, there are more chances of it making money and becoming a hit, which wasn’t obviously
the case with Angel.

Do you have any regrets looking back to that period, where you again had to go down south?

Not at all. Actually, the two industries are pretty much the same, one as professional as the other. The south film industry is technically as advanced and the dedication and the environment are the same. It’s only the language that is different,” she said.

You married Mimoh Chakraborty in 2018 and since then, this is your first time in front of the camera. How much of an influence has your father-in-law Mithun Chakraborty
been in your life?

It was Mithun dad who coaxed me to try my hand in television. He is like a father figure to me. I have always been inspired by his sincerity at work. He discusses everything with us; his thoughts, his experiences. Mimoh also gives his feedback about how I have performed. I am really blessed.

Do you have any upcoming Bollywood releases?

I have a film which was in its post-production stage and would have been released had it not been for the
pandemic. It is named Kartoot and is produced by Anup Jalota. I guess it will be released next year.

A lot has changed for you since your Angel days. Where do you see yourself in say, another five years from now?

I was just a teenager in Angel; now experiences have made me grow. I am much calmer and mature now.
Looking further into the future, I see myself doing good work in the industry, progressing personally
and professionally.

Finally, given your popularity in the US, thanks to your portrayal in Anupamaa, would you say that this is what you will be concentrating on right now, even if a movie offer comes your way?

Absolutely. I love what I am doing right now and given there is no time limit to how long Anupamaa will be on, I guess films will have to wait for now. I want to make it big on television and I am happy people love my character Kavya. I really couldn’t have asked for more.

Up close and personal with…
Madalsa Sharma

My strength - Parents 

My weakness - Spicy food & adventure sports

My greatest fear - Karma 

My fantasy - Travel the world and bungee jump from the highest peak 

I love - Acting, dancing, travelling, playing with my pets, cooking

I’m superstitious about - I’m not superstitious 

My hero - My father Subhash Sharma

My best asset - Eyes

My passion - Dance

My biggest necessity - Constantly being pampered

My prized possession - My walk-in wardrobe

My favorite destination - New York, of course!!!!

My pet peeve - Mimoh 

What touches me the most- When people who matter to me the most appreciate my work.

Bollywood Insider to me is - The best publication in the United States that covers every bit of Hindi cinema. I’m honored to be featured in Bollywood Insider - again.