Subha Yogam | Dt 30-10-15

Becoming completely immersed in a character is one of the most fascinating aspects of acting, especially in period dramas where understanding the lifestyle, emotions, and cultural context of a bygone era becomes essential.

Bollywood filmmaker Imtiaz Ali’s upcoming period film “Main Wapas Aaunga” sees actress Sharvari Wagh taking on such a challenging transformation. Set against the backdrop of pre-Partition India, the film features Sharvari as a young woman from the 1940s named “Jiya,” a role that demands a deep emotional and behavioural shift from modern-day sensibilities.

For Sharvari, portraying a character from nearly eight decades ago has been both a challenge and a learning experience. She has spoken about how the silence, restraint, and unspoken emotions of that era played a crucial role in shaping her performance. Unlike today’s fast-paced communication, she noted that people in that time expressed far more through gestures and silence than words.

To authentically embody the character, the team shot extensively in rural locations of Sangrur district in Punjab. The village surroundings helped the actors naturally adapt to the world of the film. During the shoot in a heritage home in Churawal village, Sharvari was particularly moved by a room in the 150-year-old house, which instantly transported her into the past.

During a location recce, she was deeply drawn to a vintage dressing table placed in one of the rooms. So much so that she requested the crew to let her stay in that same room during the shoot instead of moving to a different space. She felt that sitting in front of the antique mirror while getting ready each day helped her mentally step into the 1940s world of her character.

Sharvari even began doing her own makeup while seated at the vintage dressing table every day, a small but meaningful routine that helped her build a stronger emotional connection with “Jiya.”

Her co-star Vedang Raina also adopted a unique approach to prepare for his role. He created a curated playlist of songs from the 1940s to better understand the mood and social atmosphere of that era. Sharvari also mentioned that she listened to similar old classics to ease herself into the emotional world of the film.

Together, the young actors’ immersive preparation methods helped bring authenticity and depth to the period setting, allowing them to connect more naturally with the world of “Main Wapas Aaunga.”