Actress Shezray Husain, who has been receiving a lot of praise for her role in Gunaah, talks with The Pioneer about her early years and offers thoughts on joining the project.
Riya Kommineni
Actress Shezray Husain of Gunaah fame rarely saw actresses that resembled her on television in Western media while growing up in the United States. She found it difficult to properly empathise with characters in South Asian cinema, even though she was raised abroad.
The Chicago native recalls, “I felt stuck in a gray area, neither fully westernised nor fully desi. It made me yearn for a depiction that more closely matched my experiences and identity. I didn’t completely see the effects of this lack of representation until much later in life—not only on myself but on countless others who were unable to identify with the media they were exposed to.”
Even though she struggled with this lack of representation, the aspiring actress started taking acting classes in her academic years. She refined her skills by going to American acting and improv classes. The actress claims that her background as a theatrical actress has aided her in landing movie parts. “I feel that emphasising preparation and rehearsal is a very helpful theatre method. Weeks of practice are dedicated to truly exploring our characters and their relationships, grasping the subtleties of the script and honing our performances in the theatre. I’ve applied this same commitment to my on-screen work, frequently devoting hours to character research, script analysis, and scene practice until they seem natural.”
She was cast in the Disney+ Hotstar series Gunaah, and the former music video sensation had to go through multiple rounds of tryouts when she had to fully inhabit the nuanced persona of Divya, the main character’s NRI sister. The rising star’s difficult acting journey had only just started, even if she had finally landed the part. Shezray couldn’t speak Hindi fluently because she was raised in the United States, which was essential for the part. “Being able to think in Hindi was more difficult than just being able to speak it. I have been practicing my Hindi and Urdu language abilities over the years and I feel comfortable enough to play a real Indian character on TV. Though I think it will take a lifetime to become fluent in another language, I think I am getting quite close.”
The Bollywood rookie’s tenacity did not end there. She was channelling her own personality into Divya during the filming. She was able to structure herself in the role and relate to the character as a result. She was able to relate to Divya’s optimistic outlook and free-spirited nature. “Divya actually embodies truth and purity, which I think stands in stark contrast to the show’s darker and more nuanced characters. Her YOLO mentality strikes a chord with me since it exactly matches my own. Interestingly, I had circumstances that were similar to Divya’s in real life, so I was able to apply those experiences to my portrayal of her.”
The former pageant queen claims that she had a great time working with her co-stars on the Gunaah set. She liked getting to know everyone, including the staff, assistant directors and other actors and was able to establish a special relationship with each of them. In order to create the camaraderie necessary for an unforgettable experience, they would often hang out between takes and tell jokes and anecdotes to each other.
Shezray claims that despite her recent success, she still experiences setbacks. “My experience in the entertainment industry has been a wild ride that has profoundly shaped who I am. Rejection is a common companion in this industry due to its intense competition. But with each setback, I’ve learned to pick myself up and keep moving forward, stronger and more determined than before.”
Fans may be a great source of encouragement, particularly during trying times. “After a long day on the Gunaah set, I had an encounter that truly stuck with me. I was worn out from shooting for 12–13 hours, but as I made my way back to my vanity trailer, I noticed some admirers were obligingly waiting for a picture. Even though the hours were lengthy, their enthusiasm and encouragement made me feel better. Even though it was a tiny gesture, it meant the world to me.”
“Being a South Asian-American actress navigating two distinct industries can be quite a balancing act, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling,” the Gunaah star says. “It’s like having the best of both worlds because I have the privilege of connecting with audiences from two different cultural backgrounds, drawing from my experiences growing up in a household that cherished both Western and South Asian traditions.” She hopes to honour her roots in both South Asia and the United States as her career in film continues.
Shezray’s ultimate goal is to shatter barriers in the two film sectors. “I want to contribute to breaking through preconceptions and developing the stories that are portrayed in our dynamic film industry. I think we can promote more tolerance and empathy in our sector by accepting our diversity and honouring our common humanity.”
