Preshah Bharti On Working With Anurag Kashyap & Umesh Bisht: ‘A Great Director Lets You Build Your Character’ | Exclusive – News18

In the rapidly evolving landscape of Indian entertainment industry, Preshah Bharti has emerged as a rising talent to watch. A graduate of the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in West Hollywood, Preshah made the bold move to Mumbai in 2019 to pursue her passion for acting on a larger, commercial scale. Her dedication and training have paved the way for her dynamic performances across a variety of roles.

Preshah’s breakthrough came in 2020 with Anurag Kashyap’s critically acclaimed Netflix film Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai, where she played a memorable role as a receptionist. Her nuanced portrayal in Choked caught the attention of the industry, and she soon followed it up with a standout performance as Manisha in the ZEE5 series Bloody Brothers (2022), directed by Shaad Ali. Here, she played an assistant to Jaideep Ahlawat’s character, further cementing her position as a versatile actor.

Most recently, Preshah starred in the much-anticipated web series Gyaraah Gyaraah, which premiered on ZEE5 on August 9, 2024. Directed by Umesh Bisht and produced by Sikhya and Dharmatic, her portrayal of Deepali Seth, alongside co-star Raghav Juyal, has marked a pivotal moment in her career. In this candid interview with News18 Showsha, Bharti reflected on her personal growth, career milestones, and how she stays grounded while embracing every opportunity.

Here are the excerpts:

Q1. You’re a graduate of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. How has your formal training influenced your approach to acting, especially when transitioning to Bollywood?

Preshah Bharti: My time at Strasberg has transformed my life. There is a sense of ease and comfort when I am on set, or even when I’m approaching something in an audition. My time in LA prepared me for life, if I’m being honest. The life experiences I had not only evolved me as a human being, but also as an actor. So the training really came in handy, especially when there are 10,000 technical things running through your mind while trying to stay in character on set. The training is my safety net.

Q2. You moved to Mumbai in 2019 to pursue acting. What was the biggest cultural or professional adjustment you had to make, coming from a background in West Hollywood?

Preshah Bharti: The availability of opportunities was much wider in Mumbai than in Hollywood. Everyone here is extremely hard-working and ambitious, and although Hollywood is similar in that sense, the scale of projects and the demand for talent here was a bit more intense. In terms of people, I feel they are much more welcoming in Mumbai, and that helped me settle in quickly without much adjustment on a personal level.

Q3. Looking back, how do you think your role as a receptionist in Choked set the stage for more prominent roles like Deepali Seth in Gyaraah Gyaraah?

Preshah Bharti: It was definitely my sense of confidence in my work that helped me book the character. As an artist, the more work you do, the more reassurance you build in your abilities. Now, whenever I go into an audition room, I have a sense of surety in what I bring to the table. Despite rejections, I just know that I have to keep going until I crack something else as an actor. With all the projects I’ve done so far, I now know that I have it in me. The journey is no longer about validation; it’s about persistence.

Q4. Your role as Deepali Seth in Gyaraah Gyaraah has been pivotal for your career. What attracted you to the character, and how did you prepare for such a complex role?

Preshah Bharti: When I auditioned for Deepali, her confidence and sincerity spoke to me the most. You rarely see characters who are sharp yet coy in their demeanor. She’s an underdog but confident in her abilities. She also shares great camaraderie with everyone she works with, without getting intimidated. As an actor, a well-written character like Deepali is all you can ask for to explore and play with.

Q5. Gyaraah Gyaraah blends genres like time travel and crime drama. How was the experience of working in such an unconventional narrative, and how did it challenge you as an actor?

Preshah Bharti: Despite the show connecting different timelines, it was always grounded with a powerful script. Working with Umesh Sir (Umesh Bisht) was a treat—he brought the entire story together with such ease. As an actor, you can only hope to work with a good director who can bring out the best in you, and Umesh Sir did just that. It was challenging, but his guidance made the process so smooth and enjoyable.

Q6. What was the dynamic like between you and Raghav Juyal on set? How did your chemistry develop as co-stars, and did that relationship shape your performance as Deepali Seth?

Preshah Bharti: Raghav is such a secure actor, and we shared great camaraderie on set. He’s a jovial person with positive energy, and you can’t help but admire his aura. The ease with which he plays his character really helps the other actors around him. We bounced off each other’s energy in every scene, and it flowed effortlessly. I honestly can’t wait to work with him again.

Q7. You’ve worked with some big names early on, like Anurag Kashyap and Shaad Ali. How did these experiences shape you as an actor, and what key lessons did you take away from working with such established directors?

Preshah Bharti: The ease with which they bring their art to life and their sense of security in their craft was so refreshing. As an outsider, you come with preconceived notions when you work with established names, but it was anything but that. Despite being there for a few scenes, both Anurag Sir and Shaad Ali appreciated my work and confidence. That validation was a sense of relief for me as an actor and helped boost my confidence further.

Q8. Your role in Bloody Brothers as Manisha was another important stepping stone in your career. What did you find most challenging about that role, and how did it help you grow as an artist?

Preshah Bharti: The most challenging part of Bloody Brothers was leaving an impact despite the limited screen time. Working with Jaideep Ahlawat and seeing him perform was mesmerizing. Being on that set was a learning experience, and I walked away having grown as an artist. I couldn’t have asked for more.

Q9. Playing supporting characters like a receptionist in Choked and an assistant in Bloody Brothers requires nuance. How do you bring depth to such roles, even when screen time is limited?

Preshah Bharti: My Method Acting teacher at Strasberg taught me a hack when approaching roles with limited screen time: even though I’m in the story for a few minutes, I am a fully-fledged person in the life that I’m living as that character, day in and day out. The camera just captures those few moments, but my presence is always there. That mindset allows me to live in the skin of the character, even if the audience only sees me briefly.

Q10. Coming from the Lee Strasberg tradition, how much of ‘method acting’ do you apply in your roles? Can you share any specific techniques or methods that help you immerse yourself in your characters?

Preshah Bharti: In our method acting class, the first step was always relaxation, so we could use our body as an instrument. Before every scene, no matter how chaotic the set is, I block out the external energy and channel the character’s energy from within. Another key part is being flexible with the choices I’ve made in my head and improvising as per the situation. Being at ease with my body language is the first thing I focus on when approaching a scene.

Q11. How do you balance maintaining your character’s authenticity while also adapting to the director’s vision and the project’s broader narrative?

Preshah Bharti: I love doing my homework before arriving on set, but I ensure that I’m a clean slate once I’m there. The choices I make for the character are in my back pocket, ready to be adapted based on the director’s vision. It’s all about synchronicity with the team. Every project is a team sport, and you must weave your performance into the broader narrative.

Q12. Your characters seem to have unique arcs in every project. How do you ensure you keep your performances fresh and different from your previous roles?

Preshah Bharti: This is where training becomes crucial. The choices I make as different characters set each one apart. I’m playful as an actor, and I don’t hesitate to push boundaries or make quirky decisions. Sometimes they land well, and sometimes the director adjusts them to fit the story, but I enjoy exploring new avenues with every character.

Q13. As someone who moved to Mumbai to pursue acting commercially, how has the Bollywood industry been different from your initial expectations?

Preshah Bharti: I’ve been auditioning since I was 18, back in Delhi and Hollywood, while I was studying there. Auditions in Mumbai are slightly different as there are several walk-in opportunities, unlike the other cities I’ve experienced. I didn’t come to Mumbai with many expectations or baggage. I just wanted to make the best of every opportunity and grow as an actor and a human being with every role.

Q14. With OTT platforms expanding, and your roles in web series like Gyaraah Gyaraah and Bloody Brothers, how do you see the future of digital storytelling impacting your career choices?

Preshah Bharti: With OTT expanding, I feel creators are making bolder choices in storytelling. It has definitely widened the horizon for actors like us. I’m keeping all my options open and hoping for the best opportunities to come my way.

Q15. You’ve taken on a variety of roles in different genres. Is there a particular genre or role that you haven’t yet explored but would love to dive into?

Preshah Bharti: I would love to explore comedy, rom-com, and action as genres. I feel like I could bring something unique to the table in those roles, and I’m excited to dive into them when the opportunity arises.

Q16. Moving from West Hollywood to Mumbai, how do you stay connected to your roots while building a career in Bollywood?

Preshah Bharti: From West Hollywood, my first move was to Hyderabad, where I auditioned for a few Telugu projects. When those didn’t materialize, I moved to Mumbai. I’m a spiritual person at heart, so staying connected to my roots has never been a conscious effort; it’s just a way of being for me. No matter where I am, I feel grounded in who I am and where I come from, and that keeps me balanced in this fast-paced industry.

Q17. Acting often requires emotional vulnerability. How do you take care of your mental health and well-being when dealing with emotionally intense roles?

Preshah Bharti: So far, none of my roles have pushed me to that emotional extent, but the acting journey does get challenging, especially due to the scarcity of opportunities. I’m an extreme go-getter, so to channel my energy, I also run my own start-up in Delhi where we manufacture human hair wigs, extensions, and toppers. Keeping busy with my business alongside acting keeps me grounded and helps me maintain a healthy balance in my life.

Q18. What advice would you give to aspiring actors who are considering a similar path—moving internationally to pursue their passion in the Indian film industry?

Preshah Bharti: For me, preparation is key. I like to be fully prepared for any opportunity that comes my way. If an opportunity is presented, it should never pass by because I wasn’t ready. Of course, you can’t control everything, but you should control what you can. In a creative field, it’s “to each their own,” but I knew in my heart that I wanted to train in the craft from the best school. Taking a plunge to move internationally depends on many factors, so my advice would be to make the most of the resources you have and be prepared to adapt.

Q19. Working under the banner of production houses like Sikhya and Dharmatic for Gyaraah Gyaraah, what was the atmosphere like on set? How did the production values contribute to your performance?

Preshah Bharti: When I signed Gyaraah Gyaraah, I wasn’t aware that Dharmatic was co-producing. I signed on with Sikhya, which honestly felt surreal because Sikhya is one of the most prestigious production houses in the country. When I came to Mumbai in 2019, Guneet Monga was on my vision board, and it was my dream to work with her. The fact that I got to work with Sikhya and play an integral part of the story was a blessing in disguise. When everyone around you loves what they do, it amplifies the experience and the outcome tenfold.

Q20. Having worked with directors like Umesh Bisht in Gyaraah Gyaraah and Anurag Kashyap in Choked, what are the differences and similarities in their directing styles, and how did you adapt?

Preshah Bharti: In my experience, a great director gives you the freedom to make choices for your character and then helps you tweak those choices to fit the story. Both Umesh Sir and Anurag Sir gave me that freedom, which allowed me to explore and build my character arc. Their gut instincts are also very strong and usually spot-on.

That said, Umesh Sir is always ideating and brainstorming. You’ll always catch him thinking about the next shot or scene. In contrast, Anurag Sir is more of a “go with the flow” person, which gives his projects a unique quirkiness. I love how both of them work, and it’s been a blessing to have had the opportunity to learn from them.

Q21. What did you find most surprising about working on a large-scale project like Gyaraah Gyaraah compared to your earlier projects?

Preshah Bharti: The synchronicity on set was incredible. From the actors to the director to the ADs, everyone worked in harmony, and everything was precisely planned down to the smallest detail. Managing such a huge team is a challenge in itself, but the Sikhya team created an amazing flow, which made the entire process smooth. Compared to my earlier projects, where I didn’t spend much time on set, Gyaraah Gyaraah was special because I got to experience that kind of large-scale coordination and teamwork. It was an unforgettable experience.