Actor, theatre kid, and all-round nautanki, Shikha Talsania has always believed in the magic of performance. From her early days backstage with her parents to her memorable roles across film, OTT, and stage—Shikha brings a rare mix of honesty, masti, and warmth to every character. In this candid chat, she talks about her theatre roots, the power of friendship, and why she’ll always be an “actor first.

JODI: Do you remember the first time you truly felt the audience react to you during a live performance?

SHIKHA: Yes! It was in Sr. KG. I was doing the chicken dance in a tutu, while my parents filmed me on their camcorder. I don’t remember the moment itself, but every time I watch that video I think: “Oh, that was the first time you were ever on stage, Shikha.”

JODI: You started with theatre—how has that shaped the kind of actor and person you’ve become?

SHIKHA: I literally started in theatre as a kid because both my parents were actors. My babysitting used to happen backstage in the green room. Theatre taught me to believe in magic—the transformational quality and transcendent feeling of what happens when you step on stage. You adjust yourself, and suddenly you’re ready to become someone else.

In life too, we dig into different characteristics of ourselves to navigate everything life throws at us. So for me, it’s always been about equality, democracy, masti, mazza—and being absolutely crazy, different people.

JODI: You’ve worked across platforms—film, OTT, stage. Where do you feel most free as an artist?

SHIKHA: On stage. It’s an actor’s medium—you’re in control of what you want the audience to see. And because the audience is different every night, you can play with that energy. But honestly, I’m a nautanki everywhere—on camera, on stage, even in my living room.

Shikha wears our Karbi Day Dress

JODI: Is there a role you’ve done that changed how you saw your own body or beauty?

SHIKHA: Every role has taught me something about my body and how I use it. Veere Di Wedding was a turning point—I realised I can look like so many different things, and all of them are beautiful. Nobody had given so much love, respect, and care to silhouettes on my body before.

Then in Scoop, it was the opposite. It was such a character-based role—no makeup, just robes and sarees. It felt very vulnerable, like going into battle without your war paint. But it was also freeing. Costumes play a huge part in how I embody a character, and every role has shifted my perspective in some way.

JODI: A line you’ve said in a play or film that you wish you could use in real life?

SHIKHA: I actually have used it in real life—and I’ve also taken it from real life! I remember when I was in college, there was this girl in those really low-waist jeans of the 2000s, with a pink fur belt and one of those transparent bags that were all the rage. She once said: “Loser, double loser, flip it over, whatever.” I used it for a character later.

JODI: You’ve also directed and acted in Dekh Behen- a play that has built a following for its unfiltered, hilarious take on sisterhood and wedding chaos. The entire cast and crew are women. How does that energy shape the rehearsal room and the final performance?

SHIKHA: Well, our cycles sync most of the time. (laughs) But honestly, these women are some of my closest friends, and we discovered fantastic new friendships through the process.

The camaraderie is real—it’s a safe space where you’re always taken care of. Need a painkiller? Kisike paas toh hoga hi. Need a tampon? Kisike paas toh hoga hi. New lip gloss? Kisike paas toh hoga hi. That energy translates on stage—you see the true, uncensored friendship women share.

Shikha in Africana Day Dress

JODI: You’ve explored weddings, sisterhood, and friendship dynamics so often on screen and stage. What draws you to those themes? Do they mirror parts of your own world?

SHIKHA: laughs Not married, don’t have a child. But yes, I have a lot of girlfriends. I’ve played a bride so many times now that I can do bridal makeup in two minutes flat!

A lot of what happens on stage or screen isn’t my reality, but the safety, friendship, pyaar, masti I get from my friends and family—that’s always there. Ultimately, I’m drawn to good scripts. Fun scripts. And also, check my IMDb—I’ve done a lot more beyond weddings and sisterhood.

JODI: Actor or director—what do you love to play the most?

SHIKHA: Actor, director, actor, director… Today it’s 70% actor, 30% director. Tomorrow it might be different. I also love being hair didi or makeup didi. And usually, I’m production didi also!

Shikha in Soro Check Dress