1. Siya, could you share with us a bit about your journey into acting? What inspired you to pursue this career?
I've been acting for as long as I can remember. It started in Upper KG when I played the character ‘Mini’ from the famous story ‘Kabuliwala’ by Rabindranath Tagore. The encouragement I received then set me on my acting journey. I performed in numerous plays during my boarding school years, from Shakespearean dramas to Hindi street plays. I always knew acting was my calling. I graduated with a B.A Triple Major in Western Theatre Studies, English, and Psychology. Once I moved to Mumbai, I participated in several plays and trained under legends like Sunil Shanbag, Neeraj Kabi, Mukesh Chhabra, and Atul Mongia. Their workshops and readings expanded my perspective as an actor, preparing me for screen acting. Since then, I’ve been actively working in films, web shows, and advertisements.
2. You have a diverse range of roles in your portfolio. How do you select the projects you work on, and what kind of roles are you most drawn to?
Any character is fun to play for an actor. I’m personally drawn to, and often offered, characters with a strong presence. I find myself attracted to more classical, earthy, and rooted roles. I'd love to portray anything from a sitar player enjoying her music to a creepy supernatural entity in a thriller, or even a criminal—anything that brings a strong narrative to the screen.
3. Can you walk us through your process of preparing for a role? How do you get into the mindset of the characters you portray?
Preparing for a role involves a combination of steps. First, I immerse myself in the script, almost as if I’ve written it. Asking questions about the character’s history and circumstances helps me understand them better. Listening to music that resonates with the character’s world often aids my process. Finally, hair, makeup, and costume have an immediate effect on how I feel, setting me up for the world I’m about to enter.
4. Looking ahead, what are some of your goals and aspirations for the next few years in your acting career?
I want to be known as someone who acts from the heart and does justice to her roles. I aim to entertain audiences in more films and shows, taking them on a journey through the story and resonating with my character’s arc. I aspire to evolve as both a person and an actor every day, pouring my life experiences into my art to create moving performances that viewers can connect with.
5. Your Instagram presence is quite engaging. How do you use social media to connect with your fans and influence your audience?
I strive to stay authentic and create a setting that is relatable, approachable, friendly, and close to my real world. I try not to put too much pressure on myself regarding social media, but I hope that when people visit my page, they feel peaceful and happy, and maybe even inspired to pursue their dreams.
6. If you had to form a band with three other actors, who would you pick and what kind of music would you play?
Haha, I’d pick Smita Patil, Vicky Kaushal, and Pankaj Tripathi. It would be a fusion of Indian flutes, jazz compositions, and a sprinkle of Pakistani Coke Studio. It sounds like a wild idea, but every reality begins with a simple thought!
Bio:
Siya Mahajan is an Indian actress in the Hindi film industry. She completed her schooling at the prestigious Welham Girls’ School in Dehradun Valley, where her passion for acting was nurtured. Siya holds a Triple Major (B.A) in Western Theatre Studies, English, and Psychology from Christ University Bangalore. After moving to Mumbai, she acted in plays like ‘Kisso Ki Tapri’ and ‘Neela Scarf’ at the Jeff Goldberg Studio, and ‘Lataangi,’ based on Lata Mangeshkar’s remarkable life.
Siya trained under renowned theatre legends such as Sunil Shanbag, Atul Mongia, Mukesh Chhabra, and Neeraj Kabi. She entered the film industry in 2018 and has since acted in various films, web shows, and advertisements. Passionate about her craft, Siya aims to continue building her skills and moving audiences with her performances.
Beyond acting, Siya has anchored events like the Times Litfest at Mehboob Studio in 2019 and for the company Drools in multiple cities. She excels in voice-over work, dubbing, and speaking engagements. Siya also enjoys singing and dancing and looks forward to roles that allow her to showcase these talents.
Interviewed by: Shantanu Singh
Edited by: Mishika Goel
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