Soundarya Sharma on Breaking Stereotypes in Bollywood: “Old Shackles Are Fading”
Actress Soundarya Sharma, who appears in the comedy blockbuster Housefull 5, has opened up about the evolving landscape in Bollywood, especially for female actors. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Soundarya reflected on her journey, the importance of screen presence over screen time, and how old industry mindsets are gradually fading.
Grateful for the opportunity to work alongside seasoned stars like Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh, Soundarya described her role in Housefull 5 as a significant step forward in her career. “For any newcomer, getting such a big platform is a blessing,” she said. “To be appreciated by the audience while sharing screen space with senior actors means a lot. Even a few impactful scenes can leave a lasting impression.”
She firmly believes that a powerful role matters more than the duration of time spent on screen. “Less is more,” she asserted. “If your character is strong, that’s what stays with people. Stardom doesn’t happen overnight. You have to learn everything — from how to face the camera to how lighting affects your presence. Every small detail matters.”
Speaking about the challenges of being typecast as just a “pretty face,” Soundarya acknowledged that while she is still early in her journey, the industry has started embracing change. “Earlier, people used to say don’t do dance numbers if you want to be seen as a serious actor. But today, look at our top actresses — they’re doing both hit songs and lead roles. That mindset is going away.”
She highlighted the shift towards appreciating versatility. “People now want actors who can dance, perform, do comedy, and bring emotional depth to roles. That’s what acting is about — being able to do it all. You’re playing a character on screen; that doesn’t define who you are in real life.”
Despite being new to the industry, Soundarya maintains a grounded perspective. “I haven’t reached that stage where I can say, ‘I won’t do this or that.’ I’m not talking about compromising on values, but in terms of learning — I’m open. We’re handed a script and asked to bring it to life. That’s our job as actors.”
However, she does believe in open communication with directors. “There are moments when you can express your thoughts. With my character in Housefull 5, we had discussions like, ‘Can we tweak this a bit to show it differently?’ The director was receptive and even asked if I was comfortable with certain scenes. That collaborative approach makes a big difference.”
Soundarya’s experience so far has been positive. “I haven’t faced anything uncomfortable. Everyone’s journey is different, but I’ve been fortunate to work with people who listen and respect input.”
Housefull 5, the latest installment of the successful franchise, continues its strong theatrical run, and Soundarya’s performance has received praise for holding her own among a star-studded cast. Her grounded attitude and readiness to adapt signal a promising future in the industry.
“The key,” she concluded, “is to stay grateful, stay focused, and keep learning.”
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