“Terrorism does not have a religion and I don't want to humanise a terrorist” — Adah Sharma on her role in ‘The Kerala Story’

From the roles she’s choosing, to the tough conversations she is making a point to have, Adah Sharma comes across as an actor with strong ethics, inspiring viewpoints, and a voice that refuses to be shaken. Her portrayal of Fatima Ba in The Kerala Story, despite the backlash that the story received, won the hearts of everyone with her earnest energy. And the actor has quickly worked her way to becoming a strong acting talent to reckon with. But behind all that is someone who loves her solitude, and would rather spend her time with her cat (she calls her, her nepo baby). 

In an exclusive interview with Cosmopolitan India, Sharma talks about what went into embodying Fatima, the takeaways from the film, and her upcoming projects.
 
Sonal Ved: Your latest, The Kerala Story, triggered quite a political row, with many calling it a propaganda film. What was your first reaction when it was offered to you, especially because you worked on Commando 3 before this, which was also an anti-terrorism film?
 
Adah Sharma: When the script was narrated to me, I was amazed and excited. I was being trusted to play a strong character like Fatima Ba. I realised our responsibility to the role would be far greater than when playing a fictional character. The subject of the movie—terrorism—though, as you said, was not a new space for me. Commando 3 was about terrorism, as is The Kerala Story, and the next Commando will also have strains of terrorism. I think everyone, everywhere, should stand against terrorism.
 
SV: The responsibility when playing a real character is much bigger than a fictional one. How did you prepare for the role? Did you interact with real-life equivalents of Fatima? 

AS: There are three timelines running throughout the film—one where I am pregnant, one where I am in jail and my child has been taken away from me, and one where we are in college—the fun, exciting college days! So, I had to constantly switch between being joyful and miserable. 
 
We met some of the girls and saw footage of girls in ISIS camps, girls in terrorist camps, and so on. Pranay Pachauri, who plays the role of my terrorist husband, and I watched these together. We also worked on things like the accent. It was important to portray Shalini Unnikrishnan, the innocent girl from Trivandrum brought up by her mother and grandmother, as herself.
 
SV: When you play a character like Fatima, and work on a story like this, there are many layers of terrorism that are revealed in the process. Is there anything that has grown and evolved in you when it comes to the subject? 

AS: I have always stood against terrorism and I continue to feel the same. Terrorism does not have a religion and I don't want to humanise a terrorist. I firmly believe that no religion tells one to commit acts of terrorism.  
 
SV: There were a lot of opinions that cropped up right after the trailer of The Kerala Story was launched, and many more after the release. How do you make sense of such conflicting views?

 AS: People were quick to judge the movie by its trailer and through the lens of their ideology. Many labelled it a ‘propaganda movie’ because it didn’t suit their mindset or opinion. When we went to news channels for the promotion of the movie, I always felt like I was a criminal. I was only asked if the numbers floating around were true and not how I prepared for the role. But now that the audience has watched it, I feel okay.
 

SV: You have also mentioned in a few interviews that the film scarred you emotionally and physically. What was your biggest challenge? 

 AS: I am glad certain parts of me will forever be scarred; it would be frivolous to move on and go about life by erasing the memories of these girls. Not that I am not living my life, but their stories will always be at the back of my mind. During the shoot, I psyched myself every day to be strong because I felt a sense of responsibility towards it. I am not sure if it is a healthy approach, but I have not shed it off yet. I moved on to my next project where I am playing a completely contrasting fictional character. Maybe that helped me get a little out of it.
 
SV: How do you unwind?
 
AS: I like watching movies. I read, and play the piano or the flute (I plan to learn some more instruments this year), and I have completed my graduation in Kathak.

SV: Lastly, can you tell us about your upcoming projects?
 
AS: I am excited about playing a superhero in an international film.