"I never want to work with somebody who portrays women in a certain light ever again" - Sarah-Jane Dias

From being the feisty photographer bride in Angry Indian Goddesses to delivering a powerful self-love monologue in the finale of Made In Heaven Season 2, actor Sarah Jane Dias has witnessed quite an arc in her career.

But these past couple of months were particularly special as Dias didn't just appear in the Made In Heaven season 2 finale; she also played a key role in the Disney+ Hotstar series, The Freelancer.

In a heartfelt and long conversation with us, Dias went on to shed light on an array of things, from being in multiple projects to working on OTT to women's roles these days, smashing patriarchy, and so much more.

Q. How has the experience been to have two shows back-to-back and that, too, such varied roles?

I think it's, as you said, it's an ideal scenario as an actor to have two back-to-back releases. Needless to say, it's more prevalent as they're two back-to-back big releases with big production, big directors, big sets, big production value and so on. (Sighs) It's really quite a dream come true. And what I love the most is that they're two completely different kinds of roles. So, I really enjoy being able to give the audience the ability to see me in two different kinds of roles close to each other. It's kind of like a bit of a show-off moment for me (chuckles). I'm like, look, I can do this, I can do that. It's nice, it feels great.

Q. And it's very interesting the kind of roles you've now ventured into because I think there was a time when you started, like just anyone else, you tried to find your footing. I think it is the OTT revolution that's probably helped some really fine actors like you actually be noticed and get good characters. What do you think about it? About this advent of the OTT revolution, do you feel that's actually true?

Yeah, 100%.It's not just better for actors; it's better for everyone. Like, I was talking about this to a friend of mine recently, and I was like, it feels so good to know that all my actor friends are working and busy because it never used to be like that. It also feels so good to know that all my writer friends, director friends, stylist friends, and makeup artist friends - everybody's busy, and everybody's working, and that's amazing. Especially post-pandemic when things had slowed down completely. I think the web is a wonderful opportunity for everybody to tell their stories, be it actors be it writers. I feel particularly happy for writers, actually, because so many of their stories would never get greenlit. Especially writers who wanted to write stories that were out of the box or stories that are breaking stereotypes, which Made in Heaven is really all about. You just get the opportunity to tell the stories which are actually real. They are what people are actually going through, and thus, people want to see it because this is what audiences are going through, and that makes so much sense because then you are connecting truly with the audiences. Again, one can argue that fine, the stories that are being told on shows like Made in Heaven may be for a certain few segments of society, but the nice part is that stories are being told about other segments of society as well, which means that it is this wonderfully creative time for all people from all kinds of societies to express themselves and everybody is almost on an equal standing. (pauses) Almost. I love that I got to play a bride and a CIA agent. It's so cool. 

Q. Just like many, you have been doing much fewer films for the longest time. I think it's been a while since you've actually starred in a full-fledged project on the big screen. Do you really miss having that big screen experience, to be having that kind of feedback or watching yourself on the big screen, or it's more about characters and it's more about making sure that you're doing the right amount of work and the right work, so to speak.

I never had that big screen thing. To me, it was just I was like I wanted to work. I want to do good work. I never had the big screen thing ever. I didn't understand it. I still don't understand it. I find it too overwhelming, to be honest with you. I find it easier to absorb and really see what's going on. To me, if it's on a big screen, I want to watch an action sequence or a like a Transformer movie. I get that. But if it's an intimate drama, I don't know if I want to see it on a big screen. It just depends. I would want to watch The Freelancer - would be great on a big screen because it's sort of action-packed. But like Made in Heaven, I want to watch it more intimately. Like a small scene with a few people. So no, man, I never had that like it has to be on a big screen thing. I was just happy people were watching my work, and I was happy that I was doing good work. And I've had enough of it. It's not something that I cared about, and it's not something that I don't miss because I've been fortunate to have enough of it. When Angry Indian Goddesses won the Rome Festival and a bunch of other festivals, we watched it on big screens in 21 cities across Germany. To me, it didn't matter that it was a big screen. To me, it mattered that people resonated with the film.

Q. What would be the ideal category where Sarah Jane comes into this world and we see her in? Will it be like an action movie, or is it more like a superhero universe, which obviously we lack when it comes to casting females?

Honestly, I do love action. I really do. (excited) I love it. I really want to do a hardcore action part. I've been saying this so much. It has to be like playing a Superhero. To release my not-so-inner Wonder Woman would be amazing. My not-so-inner warrior woman vibe, which I guess I have anyway. It's great. Apart from that, riding a horse with a sword or shooting a bow and arrow. Oh my god. I'm just thinking about it. Oh my god (excited dreamily), Like Sergeant of the Army. Yes, please. Film version of Halo. Yes, please. Bring it. I love that. I love the drama of it all. I love the empowerment of it all. But yeah, this is my wish list. I would love that. That would be amazing.

I really want to do a hardcore action part. I've been saying this so much. It has to be like playing a Superhero. To release my not-so-inner Wonder Woman would be amazing.

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Q. Now that all this has happened, how satisfied do you feel as an actor? Do you feel satisfied? Or do you feel that there's a lot yet to be done?

I think I'm generally at a more satisfied point at work. Because of the amount that has accumulated in terms of, let's say, a portfolio, if you will. Not just in the acting world but in the music world, in the fashion world and so on. It just has a whole, my whole career, which spans across various platforms. The social media world is included as well. So, I generally feel a lot more satisfied. I also had no choice but to go with the flow because, as an actor or a model or anything, it really depends on the opportunities that you get. But I was never one of those people who tried to package themselves in a certain way only to get a certain kind of role. Because I don't have any guidance, really. Like nobody in my family belonged to any of these, so I was kind of just winging it, which turned out great. So, I have an amazing career already behind me. Now, I'm kind of more aware of what I will absolutely not try. Like, there are some things, because there are some things that I've tried. Maybe I won't do that again. Maybe that didn't work. But I'm still very much open. So, I think what I have learned is there are a few things that absolutely do not work for me. And that's mostly to do with the style of the people that I work with rather than a kind of genre or a kind of role. I can't say to you I never want to do another rock bomb, or I never want to do another drama, or I never want to do horror. But I will say to you that I never want to work with somebody who portrays women in a certain light ever again. That I can say to you.

Q. What is your take on inclusivity when it comes to characters?

I mean, it's also about time that people became truly inclusive. In fact, in the West, they say they're inclusive, but they stereotype Asian characters. I mean, the last time there was an Indian superhero, he was a Bollywood actor. And I'm like, what? This is so stereotypical. I mean, you want to be inclusive, but then you're stereotyping. So what? I don't know if I'm more insulted by this or if I think this is truly open-minded (sighs). Like, what? So, I think that a true depiction of what Indian superheroes should be like would be great. One of the ones that I really like is Ms Marvel. I really love Ms. Marvel. Because to me, that's a true depiction of a girl growing up as an immigrant with an immigrant past. And the challenges that an immigrant girl faces. There's a way. And India has a plethora of talented people to use. So, I don't know where the discrepancy is. And I don't understand it. So I won't comment on it. But obviously, somewhere, someone thinks it's not a good idea. Which is why they're not putting money behind it. But man, I hope they make it.