Saiyami Kher: If you’ve played a cricketer and run marathons, people assume you’re permanently in sports mode

After a string of physically demanding roles, Saiyami Kher is returning to a quieter, emotionally layered space with Vikram Phadnis’ upcoming untitled social drama, a shift she describes as instinctive and creatively fulfilling.

She says, “I’ve played physically intense characters for a long time and they’ve shaped me deeply as an actor. This film is very different. When Vikram narrated it, I felt an immediate stillness. At this stage in my journey, I’m drawn to stories that linger, and this one truly moved me. It asks uncomfortable questions that I’m always interested in exploring. It leans on internal journeys rather than external action. Portraying vulnerability can be far more demanding, and I wanted to step into that space again. I just hope I can do justice to it.”

The preparation process differs sharply from athletic roles. She says, “Physical preparation is visible. You train, rehearse, build stamina, and sometimes transform your body. You can measure that progress. Emotional preparation is less linear. It’s quieter and more exhausting. You can’t gym your way into vulnerability. For emotionally intense parts, I spend more time observing people, journaling and building detailed backstories. Physical fatigue fades with rest, but emotional exertion lingers. It’s deeply fulfilling because it pushes you to grow as a person, not just as an actor.”

Given her athletic screen image, she is often instinctively associated with action-driven roles, though she does not see that as limiting. “If you’ve played a cricketer and done a few marathons or Ironman races, people assume you’re permanently in sports mode. I’m comfortable in physically demanding spaces, and I genuinely enjoy them. But I’ve also done films like Choked, Faadu and 8 A.M. Metro. I don’t feel boxed in. I’ve always tried to ensure that even in physically demanding roles, the emotional graph is strong. If people believe I bring authenticity to action-driven characters, I take that as a compliment. What would concern me is repetition without growth. As long as I’m evolving, I’m content,” she concludes.

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