Maryam Zakaria's Tough Journey in Bollywood

Maryam Zakaria

If there’s one reason why you should rush to your nearest cinema to watchGrand Masti when it releases tomorrow, it should only be for the delectable, delightful and seriously sexy Swedish-Iranian import, Maryam Zakaria.

Having grown up on a healthy dose of Bollywood films back home in Sweden, Maryam plays one of the main female leads in this sex comedy and is paired opposite Aftab Shivdasani.

In the past, Maryam has performed a number of sensuous dance numbers for some hit films. Among them are After Dil Mera Muft Ka (Agent Vinod), Pritam Pyare (Rowdy Rathore) and Nagin (Bajatey Raho). Now, she plays the role of a college biology teacher in Grand Masti.

In an exclusive interview with Team MissMalini, Maryam chats about her experience of working on this film.

Maryam Zakaria

Team MM: What is your role in Grand Masti?

MZ: My character in the film is of a college biology teacher. My name is Rose and I play Aftab’s girlfriend.

Team MM: How did you prepare for the role?

MZ: I really wanted to be a perfectionist for this role and so I tried to channelCameron Diaz who also plays a role of a teacher in the movie Bad Teacher. I think she was brilliant in that movie and that surely helped me better myself for the role.

Team MM: How is it to work with Aftab, Riteish and Vivek? Are they fun on the set?

MZ: Absolutely. The three boys are hilarious. It has been a laugh riot on the sets with each passing day. Be it on or off camera, there is always something to joke around with. All three boys have a wicked sense of humour. They would have us in splits 24X7.

Aftab Shivdasani and Maryam Zakaria in Grand Masti

Team MM: Tell us about some funny experiences that happened while shooting this film?

MZ: There was a scene which required me to look very serious and grave. But I just couldn’t focus and deliver my dialogues as Vivek Oberoi stood behind the camera and just kept on laughing. I don’t know how I managed to give my shot but we both had a rollicking time after that.

Team MM: Is it difficult for you to get Bollywood films since you are a foreigner? What are the difficulties you have to face?

MZ: Yes it is always a bit difficult for an outsider to make space for themselves in this Bollywood industry. Not being an Indian, I had a lot of problems in communicating as my Hindi was not at all fluent. I didn’t know anybody in the industry so I had to struggle a lot in the beginning to build my contacts.

Maryam Zakaria

Team MM: How have you tackled these difficulties?
MZ: I made sure I took classes to make my Hindi fluent. It made communication a lot better. When I moved to India, I had no agency backing. I built my contacts and chased people all by myself. It has been a tough journey so far but totally worth it.

Team MM: What do you like most about Bollywood films, in general?

ZM: Bollywood films are very entertaining. I love how all the acting, dance and drama is all packed together and presented to the audience.