Sezal Sharma opens up on 31st October, Punjabi Cinema, OTT and her acting journey

Actor Sezal Sharma has built a diverse career by taking on roles across Punjabi cinema, Hindi films, web series, and short films. From historical dramas and thrillers to relationship-based stories, she has consistently chosen characters that allow her to explore different emotions and experiences. Looking back at her journey, Sezal says every project has played an important role in shaping her as an actor.

From Punjabi Cinema to a Diverse Acting Career

Sezal began her acting journey with the Punjabi romantic drama Viyah 70 KM, which gave her the first opportunity to showcase her talent. Since then, she has appeared in films like 31st October, Game Paisa Ladki, the web series Love Life & Screw Ups, and the short film Dustbin.

Talking about her growth, Sezal says her journey has been filled with learning, patience, and hard work. Coming from a non-filmy background, she had to earn every opportunity through dedication. She shares that when she started, her focus was only on giving a good performance, but today she spends more time understanding the emotions and psychology of the characters she plays. According to her, this has made her a more confident, grounded, and grateful actor.

31st October Left a Deep Emotional Impact

One of Sezal's most memorable performances came in 31st October, a film based on the aftermath of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. As someone who belongs to Punjab, the film had a personal connection for her.

She says she had grown up hearing about that painful chapter in history, and working on the film became much more than just acting. It was an emotional experience that showed her the power of cinema in preserving important stories and helping audiences understand the pain and resilience of those who lived through those difficult times. She says she felt honoured to be part of such a meaningful project.

Every Genre Brings a New Challenge

Over the years, Sezal has moved comfortably between genres. From the historical drama 31st October to the thriller Game Paisa Ladki and the relationship-focused web series Love Life & Screw Ups, she has explored different kinds of characters.

She believes emotional dramas are the most challenging because they demand complete honesty. According to her, audiences can only connect when emotions feel real. At the same time, thrillers require subtle performances and control, while romantic stories depend on natural chemistry between characters. She enjoys working in every genre because each one teaches her something different as an actor.

Choosing Stories Over Labels

Whether it is a commercial film or a content-driven short film like Dustbin, Sezal says she never selects projects based on their format.

Instead, she looks for stories with emotional depth and meaningful characters. She believes even a small role can leave a lasting impression if it is written honestly and gives her something new to explore as a performer.

OTT Has Opened New Opportunities

With the rise of digital platforms, Sezal has also worked in web series and believes OTT has positively changed the entertainment industry.

She says web series allow actors to build layered characters over several episodes, while feature films require them to make an impact in a much shorter time. However, she does not prefer one medium over the other. For her, the deciding factor is always the quality of the story and the role.

Proud of Her Punjabi Roots

Having worked in both Punjabi and Hindi cinema, Sezal says her cultural background continues to influence her performances.

She believes the warmth, honesty, emotional values, and strength she grew up with naturally reflect in her acting. Punjabi cinema, she adds, will always remain special because it gave her the first break in her career. She also hopes to work in more Punjabi films, especially stories that celebrate the state's culture and connect with audiences worldwide.

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Looking Ahead to Bigger Dreams

Sezal says she still has many goals as an actor. She hopes to play strong women-led characters, biopics, and historical roles that leave a lasting impact on audiences.

She also admires filmmakers like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Rajkumar Hirani, and Imtiaz Ali for creating unforgettable stories and characters. Along with several upcoming films and web series, Sezal is expanding her creative journey through her production house, SeaZ Creation. She plans to launch her own app and produce original vertical series, adding that she believes this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her career.