Bollywood actor Saiyami Kher recently attended the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, where her film Pal Bhar Ke Liye was screened. This marked her second appearance at the festival; she previously attended it for Ghoomer. While Ghoomer did not perform well at the box office, the film received critical acclaim at the festival and from audiences.
In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Saiyami opened up about Ghoomer’s box office performance, the importance of having a commercially successful film in an actor’s career and why an actor’s credibility should not be determined solely by box office numbers. She also spoke about the success of 8 AM Metro, revealing that no OTT platform was initially willing to acquire the film until it became a hit on YouTube.
Saiyami has often been selective about the roles she takes on, choosing characters that challenge her as an actor. Her performances have consistently received critical acclaim, and she believes that while commercial success is important, it should not be the sole measure of an actor’s worth.
Saiyami Kher says box office doesn’t dictate respect for an actor
Speaking about the emphasis Bollywood places on box office numbers and how a successful film could help her get more opportunities, Saiyami said, “I feel Bollywood speaks a lot about box office and your next film actually depends on how much money your film has made, which is a bit unfortunate. It’s not very merit-driven but more of how much money your film makes. But eventually, at the end of the day, it is a business. If your film is not viable, then how will the producer make a film? So for me, I understand the importance of box office success, but I also feel that I have had makers who backed me in spite of everything.”
She added, “Like a film like Ghoomer, any A-lister actor could have done it, but R Balki sir said, ‘No, you will be the most authentic person to the script, and I will be disregarding the script if I get anyone else on board.’ I have that sense of validation when big makers back me on certain projects, saying that we don’t see anybody else on the project besides you. Everyone wants their film to make money because making money means it’s reaching a bigger audience. I think OTT is helping reach a very big audience which originally wouldn’t be there. So, of course I want a commercially viable, successful film. If I get commercially viable films, I will get more opportunities to do films that I want to do as well.”
Saiyami also believes that box office numbers do not necessarily determine the respect an actor receives. Citing 8 AM Metro as an example, she said, “I am satisfied with doing a film like 8 AM Metro that became big on YouTube, and then an OTT platform bought it. That film no one was buying until it became a big YouTube hit. I feel the respect I have got from 8 AM Metro I have never got from any other film. That’s very surprising because that film had no release, no big names backing it, but it touched a chord with the audience, and eventually the audience is the king. That’s where the respect comes from. There are so many films that make 1000 of crores, but then people are like yeh kya picture thi. They’ll watch it but it’s not like you are getting respect with some 1000 crore film.”
Saiyami Kher on Ghoomer’s box office failure
Before Pal Bhar Ke Liye, Saiyami featured in Ghoomer, directed by R Balki. She played a gifted young cricketing prodigy who loses her right hand in an accident just as her international career is taking off. The film, which also starred Abhishek Bachchan, received praise from critics and audiences but underperformed at the box office. It later found a wider audience after its release on ZEE5, where it was widely appreciated.
Talking about the film’s box office performance, Saiyami said, “It did very well when it went for streaming on ZEE5. Even today, I’ll get like 25-30 messages from fans saying we really liked Ghoomer. It’s very overwhelming. I feel, finally, even if it finds its audience, you feel happy; there’s no doubt about it. But It’s disheartening when you pour your heart into a film, and it doesn’t do good numbers.”
She further reflected on what may have contributed to the film’s underwhelming theatrical run and said, “Certain films that you are a part of, you also feel that this was a good film and it deserved better. Certain films you feel bad for because you have put so much into it and it even shaped up well, but then you realise there’s so much more to it. Our release date was entirely wrong, and we had four big films during that time. You also learn these things with every film you do. You become more cautious. It’s disheartening, but I feel a film made with a good heart always reaches its audience.”