For actor Naina Sareen, the past few weeks have marked an exciting milestone. Within just 10 days, she appeared in two streaming releases that showcased completely different sides of her acting range—Amazon Prime Video’s Raakh and Rajkumar Hirani Films’ Pritam and Pedro. While the timing surprised even her, the contrasting performances have highlighted her growing versatility as an actor.
“I had no idea they would release so close together,” Naina says with a laugh. “It was completely unexpected.”
Finding Emotional Truth in Raakh
In Raakh, directed by Prosit Roy and inspired by the 1978 Ranga-Billa case, Naina portrays Deena, a Parsi woman whose life is deeply affected by violence.
Rather than focusing on recreating traumatic events, the actor approached the role by understanding her character’s emotional foundation.
According to Naina, preparation begins with discovering who a character was before the story starts—what they fear, what they dream about, and what emotional baggage they carry. Once that foundation was established, dialect training and performance details naturally followed.
She believes authenticity comes from understanding emotional consequences instead of simply performing dramatic moments.
A Different Energy in Pritam and Pedro
If Raakh demanded emotional restraint, Pritam and Pedro allowed Naina to explore a lighter, more playful side.
She plays Sherlyn, an energetic cybercrime officer opposite Arshad Warsi, bringing warmth, optimism and comic timing to the screen.
Comedy has long been a genre she wanted to explore, drawing inspiration from legendary performers such as Sridevi and Juhi Chawla, whose effortless humour continues to influence generations of actors.
Working With Rajkumar Hirani
One of the most memorable experiences during Pritam and Pedro came while working with filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani.
Naina recalls that Hirani heard her singing on the very first day of the shoot and appreciated her training at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
For the actor, the compliment carried special significance because both share a similar understanding of performance rooted in formal acting education.
Receiving that recognition from one of India’s most respected filmmakers became one of the defining moments of the project.
From Bokaro to the Screen
Naina’s journey into acting was far from conventional.
Growing up in Bokaro, Jharkhand, she says acting often felt like an impossible dream. Before entering the entertainment industry, she worked in the information technology sector in Bengaluru while quietly preparing for the FTII entrance examination.
Even after completing her training, success did not arrive overnight. She attended dozens of auditions before landing her first paid acting opportunity.
Initially, her family believed she might eventually return to the technology industry, but over time they embraced her decision to pursue acting professionally.
Today, she says, their support has become one of her biggest strengths.
Building the Next Chapter
Naina’s schedule continues to grow with several independent films in development, including Laali, Taasme and Dry Wounds Catch Fire.
She is also developing a psychological romantic thriller inspired by real-life experiences, allowing her to contribute creatively beyond acting.
With two contrasting performances earning attention in quick succession, Naina Sareen appears to be establishing herself as one of the emerging performers to watch across India’s evolving streaming landscape. Her willingness to embrace emotionally demanding roles alongside light-hearted characters reflects an actor focused on long-term growth rather than being defined by a single genre.
