This is an archive article published on December 19, 2024
Sheeba Akashdeep, Salman Khan’s 1992 Suryavanshi co-star, calls him ‘sweetest’: ‘Koi unhe arrogant bolta hai toh…
Veteran actor Sheeba Agarwal, who made her comeback with Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, talks about her return, experience of working with Salman Khan and much more.
Sheeba Akashdeep, known for her memorable roles in Suryavanshi, Pyar Ka Rog, and other classics in the 90s, recently made a big-screen comeback with Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani and Jigra. In an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, she opened up about her hiatus from the industry, the changes she has witnessed in cinema, and her journey back to the spotlight.
Talking about her absence from films in the 2000s, Sheeba cites a combination of personal priorities and dwindling offers. “I had my kids and was enjoying watching them grow up. At the same time, I was working with my production company. There wasn’t any tearing hurry to work, and frankly, there weren’t people breaking my door with offers either,” she said.
“It just fizzled out. I didn’t make a conscious decision to step away, nor did I actively seek out work,” Sheeba told SCREEN.
Sheeba admitted that re-establishing herself in the industry required stepping out of her comfort zone. “I had to put myself out there. You need to be a bit more aggressive in your marketing, which I never was, even at the peak of my career. Nobody is going to wake up one morning and say, ‘Chalo Sheeba ko cast karte hain‘ (Let’s cast Sheeba in the film).”
Reminiscing about her experience working on Rakesh Kumar’s 1992 horror-action drama Suryavanshi with Salman Khan, Sheeba recalled, “Salman and I were relatively new back then, while Amrita Singh was already established. Salman was incredibly sweet. Koi unhe arrogant bolta hai toh hairaani hoti hai (It surprises me when people call him arrogant.) I would say, he was one of the sweetest co-stars I have ever had. I worked with so many 90s stars like Akshay, Saif, Suneil—back then, we were all navigating our careers together.”
Discussing her comeback, Sheeba said, “I had to be upfront about my intentions. I’d tell people I was looking to return to acting—not as a heroine, of course, but for any good part.” She also said, “I don’t live in a fool’s paradise. I’d love to play lead roles, but I’m realistic about the competition today. It’s not something I expect, nor am I waiting for it.”
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On the transformation of the film industry, Sheeba said, “Today, characters are celebrated; the hero-heroine era is over. Another big change is how production scales have grown. There are rows of vanity vans now—one for the lead actor’s gym, one for their staff, and another for the actor themselves. It has become much larger than life now. I come from a generation where we would change costumes right in the middle of the street.”
Navya Kharbanda is an Entertainment Journalist and Cinematic Commentator at The Indian Express, where she specializes in bridging the gap between classic Bollywood heritage and contemporary Gen-Z perspectives. Her work is characterized by a blend of nostalgia-driven analysis and on-the-ground reporting from major film festivals and industry events.
Experience & Professional Background
Navya is a prominent voice on The Indian Express entertainment desk, known for her ability to secure candid interviews with both legendary veterans and rising stars. Her career highlights include:
The Indian Express: Covers a wide range of topics from high-stakes box office analysis to in-depth celebrity profiles. She is a regular at major events like the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
SCREEN Interviews: Navya has conducted a series of "exclusive conversations" for SCREEN, featuring industry stalwarts like Anupam Kher, Vishal Bhardwaj, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Suhasini Maniratnam.
Archival Reporting: She is noted for her sensitive handling of archival interviews and retrospectives, recently covering the legacy of late superstar Dharmendra and the career reflections of the late Satish Shah.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Navya’s beat is uniquely defined by her "Gen-Z Revisit" series, where she re-evaluates cult classics through a modern lens. Her core areas of expertise include:
Cinematic Retrospectives: Analyzing 80s and 90s landmarks like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, and Mohabbatein to explore how themes of romance and rebellion resonate with today’s youth.
Industry Insights: Tracking the career resurgences of actors (e.g., Akshaye Khanna) and the evolving dynamics of film production and distribution in the OTT era.
On-Set Dynamics: Reporting on behind-the-scenes stories from major productions, ranging from the technical challenges of Mirzapur: The Film to the work ethics of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan.
South Indian Cinema: Expanding her coverage to include the impact of regional icons and the rise of pan-Indian fantasy epics like Magadheera.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Navya Kharbanda has established her authority by consistently providing "Journalism of Courage" in the entertainment sphere. Whether she is interrogating the sexism in patriarchal classics or reporting on the fair-pay debates at international film festivals, her work prioritizes factual accuracy and critical objectivity. Her ability to synthesize deep industry history with modern audience trends makes her a trusted source for readers seeking both entertainment news and thoughtful cultural commentary. ... Read More
