Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha says being offered her latest role, that of a small-town policewoman on the trail of a serial killer, was like being "hit in the face".
In Dahaad, which also marks her streaming debut, Sinha plays sub-inspector Anjali Bhaati in a small town in Rajasthan, who is tasked with capturing a seasoned criminal whose victims are all women. As the body count rises, Anjali and her all-male teammates race against time, amid simmering communal tensions, to nab the culprit before another innocent woman is found dead.
"I was at a point in my life where I was truly waiting for a role like this, a character like this," Sinha tells The National. "And when it came to me, I was so stunned by it, that I immediately agreed to do it.
"Everything about the show, from its creators to the way it's written, the characters... everything just felt right."
Created by acclaimed directors Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti via their production company Tiger Baby Films, all episodes of the eight-part drama are being directed by Kagti and Ruchika Oberoi. It premieres worldwide on Amazon Prime Video on Friday.
Sinha, 35, who made her Bollywood debut with the 2010 blockbuster Dabangg, says working with an all-women team was an added bonus.
"A director is a director at the end of the day. But working with Reema and Ruchika on this has been fantastic. The kind of subject the show deals with, they bring a certain sensitivity to it as women. And they know exactly what they want out of the actors," she says.
"We're all pretty much in sync with each other in terms of what they want of my character Anjali. Just like her, they're go-getters and stubborn women, and will get their way no matter what it takes.
"Also, the entire production team is made up of a lot of women. And I must say this was a very, very smooth set. Most sets should be like this," she adds, laughing.
Born in Mumbai to Shatrughan Sinha, one of the top Bollywood stars in the 70s and 80s, and actress Poonam, Sinha says she had to really sink her teeth into the role of a small-town cop.
"Reema made sure that all of us actors did workshops to learn the dialect as it's very different from the way I normally speak," she recalls.
Physically too, she had to train in judo for months as Anjali is portrayed as a judo champion.
"I did not want anything to look out of place. So I wanted to get the physicality right. I also learned how to ride a bike," she says.
"I was not really concerned about looking skinny or thin. I just wanted to look fit and tough. And once that uniform comes on, everything changes. You get this sense of authority, this sense of power. And I had to do the rest."
Now that she's tasted what it's like to work on a series compared to shorter-term commitments required for films, Sinha says she'd love to do more. She's currently filming Heeramandi, the TV series debut of visionary Bollywood filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is known for his grand productions. Besides Sinha, the Netflix show set in 1940s India features an ensemble cast including Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal and Sanjeeda Sheikh.
"I enjoy doing TV shows because I get to live with the character a little bit longer than I would in a film. I get to hone in and develop her," she says. "Also, as an actor, it gives you more time to get better at playing the character."
In Dahaad, the chaos caused by the series of murders plays out against the backdrop of simmering communal tensions. And the killer does not hesitate to take advantage of those tensions to hide their crime.
Sinha says she wasn't concerned about some of the themes tackled in the show: "You see it in all aspects of life around you. So I felt it was fine to speak about it," she says. "And the way that it's been woven into the story, it's very beautiful. I feel it didn't seem jarring at all.
"In fact, I think there are certain instances and issues that must be touched upon. As artists and creators, we have a certain responsibility towards our society. And this is the way that we can contribute. So there are certain things that I feel I'm glad have been touched upon."
Dahaad has given her the courage to wait for the right roles: "It's quality over quantity for me now," she says.
But for now, she's looking forward to seeing what her father thinks of her playing a policewoman.
"He's always wanted to see me in uniform and he's going to watch it on the 12th with everyone. And I'm actually quite excited to see what he thinks," she says.
Dahaad streams worldwide from Friday on Amazon Prime Video
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: AF Seven Skies, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qais Aboud
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Almahroosa, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Sumoud, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Adventurous, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
SPECS
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Match info
Newcastle United 1
Joselu (11')
Tottenham Hotspur 2
Vertonghen (8'), Alli (18')
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
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Profile Periscope Media
Founder: Smeetha Ghosh, one co-founder (anonymous)
Launch year: 2020
Employees: four – plans to add another 10 by July 2021
Financing stage: $250,000 bootstrap funding, approaching VC firms this year
Investors: Co-founders
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Profile
Company: Libra Project
Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware
Launch year: 2017
Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time
Sector: Renewable energy
Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai
Gulf Under 19
Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy
Pool B – British School Al Khubairat, Bahrain Colts, Jumeirah College Lions, Dubai English Speaking School 2
Pool C - Dubai College A, Dubai Sharks, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Yasmina
Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
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Brief scores:
Toss: Australia, chose to bat
Australia: 272-9 (50 ov)
Khawaja 100, Handscomb 52; Bhuvneshwar 3-48
India: 237 (50 ov)
Rohit 56, Bhuvneshwar 46; Zampa 3-46
Player of the Match: Usman Khawaja (Australia)
Player of the Series: Usman Khawaja (Australia)
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
The specs: 2018 Audi Q5/SQ5
Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder / 3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L / 100km / 8.3L / 100km
