It’s a rainy day in Mumbai when I roll up to the restaurant in Bandra, Mumbai, where I’m scheduled to meet Sharvari. The actor is fresh off a successful run of films, both Alpha and Main Vaapas Aaunga, and you can see its invigorating effect in her glowing face.
Part of this is likely her own effervescence, which is certainly compounded by the moment she is having. After all, we’re more than halfway through the year but the famously mononymous Sharvari’s not done yet. There’s a YRF Ali Abbas Zafar film that pairs her with Ahaan Panday and reunites her with Bobby Deol in the pipeline and the 29-year-old has also just been announced as the brand ambassador for watchmaker Daniel Wellington.
The Nod caught up with the actor for a quick chat to discuss her daily non-negotiables, desert-island picks, and what her algorithm is feeding her these days.
Are you a morning person or a night person?
A night person, for sure.
What time do you usually wake up?
If I have a shoot, I am happy to wake up in the morning; I have no problem. Otherwise maybe like 9 or 10 o’clock.
Who is the first person to hear your secrets?
My older sister Kasturi. I think your sister is like your built-in best friend.
Something you love to do that’s bad for you
Eat lots of junk food.
Something that makes you laugh
Memes on the internet. The internet is a very funny place; you can really entertain yourself if you follow the right pages and if you have great friends who send you memes.
Any favourite memes of late?
I have been seeing a lot of [Erling] Haaland memes, actually. I am obsessed with his Snapchat. It’s quite fun.
If there was an extra day in the week, how would you spend it?
Sleeping, watching TV, and just chilling with [my dog] Miso.
What’s the last time you were running late?
I don’t know. I am generally pretty punctual, because I have this paranoia about being late, so I am mostly always on time.
A part of your routine you never skip
Skincare. I have to do skincare. Removing makeup at night or my morning skincare routine is very, very important to me. It’s like meditation.
What’s something that’s an instant mood fixer for you?
Music. Just putting some great music on the speakers and grooving a little bit puts me in the best mood.
A song you’re listening to on loop
I am obsessed with Shakira’s ‘Dai Dai’, also because she performed insanely well during the FIFA World Cup final; it’s been all over my Instagram since then.
What’s something you’ve been watching recently?
I have been watching a show called Silo. I am on season three. It’s on Apple TV. It’s a really, really cool show.
What’s something you feel is effortlessly cool?
Confidence. Anyone who has confidence is effortlessly cool.
Do you remember your first wristwatch?
I do. I had picked it up for my birthday. I took my parents and I picked up the exact watch that my best friend had, because I wanted the exact watch she got on her birthday.
What do you prefer: a hand stack or just a simple watch?
A hand stack. [Raises her hand stack to show me]
Leather strap or metal strap?
Metal.
If you could eat one food item forever, what would it be?
It would be the puran poli that my mom makes. I can eat it all day, every day, forever.
You’re stranded on an island. What are the three things you take with you?
Food? I guess utensils to cook something? Wait—am I supposed to get off this island, or do I say the random things I’d want if I was stuck there?
[If I was stuck there] maybe skincare? I think a sunscreen, a face wash, and probably some good music, and I’d survive. And food!
Three movies you would take with you there
I think Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) might be a great movie to watch since they were also stranded on an island. I really love Jodhaa Akbar; I’m obsessed with Jodhaa Akbar (2008), so I would watch that again. And lastly, I think Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001)—it’s an all-time favourite.
A character that made you want to be an actor?
I don’t think there’s a character per se, but I think there have been many actors and films that I have really enjoyed growing up. I think Madhuri Dixit, Rani Mukerji, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan—they’re my all-time favourites and I have so much love and admiration for what they’ve done. I always came back home wanting to look like them, style like them, dance like them, and I think that’s where my love for cinema started.
How long can you hold a plank?
One and a half or two minutes.
Can you do a pull-up?
No, but I can do a chin-up!
What emoji do you use the most?
I think ❤️
The best way to end the night?
Definitely some memes, cuddling with Miso, and going to sleep.
