Shehzad Shaikh on playing Goldie in Zyada Mat Udd: ‘I had to unlearn everything'

From working in the aviation industry to acting in a sitcom about it, Shehzad Shaikh’s journey has come full circle. The actor, who once wore a real cabin crew uniform, is now bringing the world of airlines to life in COLORS’ latest comedy show, ‘Zyada Mat Udd’.

In the show, Shehzad plays Goldie Lalwani, a spoiled rich kid who is forced to work as Gopal Bajaj, a flight attendant. His mission? To prove himself worthy of inheriting Air Aasmaan Airlines by winning the Employee of the Year award. While Goldie struggles to fit into the aviation world, Shehzad himself is no stranger to it.

Before stepping into the world of acting, Shehzad trained as a cabin crew member. With his father working at an airport, he grew up watching the fast-paced airline industry closely. This personal connection helped him understand the discipline and professionalism required in aviation.

Speaking about how his past experience influenced his role, Shehzad shared, “My aviation background played a big role in shaping how I portrayed Goldie. Having trained as a cabin crew member, I knew the precision, composure, and discipline needed in that job. But Goldie, pretending to be Gopal, is the complete opposite. He is messy, irresponsible, and always looking for an escape. To play him convincingly, I had to completely unlearn everything I knew.”

My aviation background played a big role in shaping how I portrayed Goldie.

- Shehzad Shaikh

To bring Goldie’s blunders to life, Shehzad spent hours practicing physical comedy. “I worked on everything—spilling drinks, tripping over trolleys, fumbling safety demos—because I wanted Gopal’s disasters to look real and hilarious. ‘Zyada Mat Udd’ feels like destiny, combining my past with my present, and I’m thrilled to turn my real-life experience into comedy for the audience.”

With Shehzad’s real aviation experience adding depth to his performance, ‘Zyada Mat Udd’ promises to be a fun and entertaining watch!