Shahrukh Khan Epitomises The Film World: Shahana Goswami

Shahana Goswami is slowly but surely carving her niche in this industry. The actress who started her career about fours years ago, was commercially recognised in ‘Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd’, playing the role of Boman Irani’s daughter. Those who missed watching her in ‘ HT’ couldn’t miss her in ‘Rock On!!’, which was not only a blockbuster hit but also proved a turning point for this talented actress.

Shahana was soon seen in a host of other films, some which worked wonders at the box office while some others that failed to catch attention. Another movie that got her a lot of critical acclaim was Nandita Das’ ‘Firaaq’. Shahana counts ‘Rock On!!’ and ‘Firaaq’ as the two movies that changed the course of her career.

“These two films helped me win appreciation and respect for my work. It is the most identifying factor for me as an actor.

I just didn’t want to do a lead role for the heck of it; even a small role, which I believe in and which will gain maximum viewership, is important for me,” says the actress.

After a lean phase the actress is now bouncing back to work and how! Shahana just finished shooting for ‘ Break Ke Baad’, a love story, with Imran Khan and Deepika Padukone. She has also completed her shooting for Farhan Akthar’s ‘ Game’, and is yet to complete Shah Rukh Khan Production, ‘ Ra. One’. The actress has played very different roles in all these three films. While she plays the role of a business minded Parsi woman in ‘ BKB’, she plays Shah Rukh Khan’s colleague, a video game designer in ‘ Ra. One’. “‘ BKB’ is turning out to be a great film and it was great fun working with a whole lot of talented young actors.

We had a one and half month outdoor schedule and enjoyed every bit of each other’s company. We would all go out together, not just the cast but the whole unit, so it was like a big family working and partying hard. ‘ Ra. One’ on the other hand was a huge budget film. Working with Shah Rukh, who epitomises the film world is an experience in itself. Working with a whole new cast and a different story was a great experience. Both these movies are two ends of the spectrum and to do them one after the other was truly amazing.” Shahana truly had the time of her life shooting with the King Khan, but also spent a lot of her free time absorbing all that he could give. “ I got the privilege of observing him as an actor and as a producer, keenly making a project that he feels very close to. It was an achievement for me to share time and experience with him. All these years I have watched and admired him on the big screen, but watching him perform live is something different. There is so much to that man, and what we see on screen is just a small glimpse of his personality.” SRK was quite happy with Shahana and remarked that he had quite a lot to learn from the actress. “ He was just sweet and generous enough to say that. It’s just his kindness in terms of a professional and co- worker.

I don’t think I have taught him anything, but it was surely the other way round,” says Miss Goswami.

Shahana got along quite well with her co- actress Kareena Kapoor and is now quite eager to work with Bebo’s cousin, Ranbir Kapoor. “ I think Ranbir is a fantastic entertainer and a fabulous actor. He can really grab anyone’s attention and I would really love to work with him,” she says.

Shahana who has done all kinds of roles, is quite waiting for someone to offer her a comedy flick. “ I would love to do a comedy. When I was a kid I was called ‘nautanki’ because I would make people laugh all the time,” she finishes.