Sharvari on 2026, Staying Grounded and Choosing Roles That Push Her Forward

Sharvari is entering a defining phase of her acting career, with a slate of projects that places her across action, romance, period drama and family-oriented storytelling. For the actor, however, the excitement surrounding the year ahead is not simply about having more films. It is about using those opportunities to grow, experiment and remain connected to the people and values that keep her grounded.

At 28, Sharvari says she wants to explore varied characters, work with filmmakers who challenge her creatively and stay close to what she considers her authentic self.

“2026 is a busy year—and, it’s a place I have dreamt of being in. So, there are no complaints there,” she says.

The year is particularly significant because several of her upcoming projects are expected to arrive in relatively close succession.

A Packed Year With Very Different Films

One of Sharvari’s upcoming projects is Main Wapas Aaunga, directed by Imtiaz Ali and featuring Diljit Dosanjh and Vedang Raina.

The film is expected to explore a period, cross-timeline love story, with music by AR Rahman. Its combination of romance, time and emotional storytelling places Sharvari in a very different space from the action-heavy material associated with some of her other upcoming work.

Then comes Alpha, the Yash Raj Films action film in which Sharvari shares the lead with Alia Bhatt.

The project is particularly significant because it expands the YRF Spy Universe while placing female protagonists at the centre of an action-driven story. The franchise has previously included films such as Pathaan, Tiger 3 and War 2.

Sharvari is also attached to filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya’s Yeh Prem Mol Liya, opposite Ayushmann Khurrana, adding another dimension to an already varied slate.

She is also working with Ali Abbas Zafar on an untitled project alongside Ahaan Panday.

For Sharvari, the diversity of these collaborations is precisely what makes this stage of her career exciting.

“2026 Is the Year of Growth”

Sharvari says she is particularly interested in challenging herself through different genres and characters.

“Challenging myself with different kinds of roles is something I am super excited to do as an actor, including engaging with varied genres and working with filmmakers who have different ways of writing and directing,” she says.

Working with established filmmakers has also become an important part of that learning process.

She describes the opportunity to work with directors such as Imtiaz Ali, Sooraj Barjatya and Ali Abbas Zafar as especially rewarding for a young actor.

“2026 is the year of growth,” she says.

The statement reflects a career strategy that goes beyond simply pursuing visibility. Sharvari appears increasingly interested in using different kinds of films to expand her range.

Her Journey Did Not Begin Overnight

Sharvari’s current momentum comes after years of trying to find her place in the industry.

She made her Bollywood debut in Bunty Aur Babli 2 in 2021. Although the film did not make the desired impact at the box office, Sharvari’s performance earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.

Her wider breakthrough came with the 2024 horror-comedy Munjya. The film connected strongly with audiences, while Sharvari’s performance helped raise her profile significantly.

The same year, she featured on IMDb’s Most Popular Indian Stars list and received the platform’s STARmeter Award for Breakout Star.

But the actor says her journey to that point involved years of auditions and rejection.

“My journey into the limelight was definitely not immediate—I spent 10 years auditioning and facing rejections before my first break came along,” she says.

She credits her parents with teaching her to remain fearless about pursuing her ambitions.

Family Remains a Source of Grounding

Despite growing public attention, Sharvari says she does not feel obligated to make every aspect of her personal life public.

She acknowledges that audiences naturally become curious about actors, but believes there should still be boundaries.

“My fans are incredibly dear to me—they are like my extended family—but, I don’t believe in sharing everything just because there is public pressure to do so,” she says.

Instead, she finds much of her happiness away from the entertainment industry’s constant attention.

Her childhood friendships remain particularly important.

Sharvari says many of her school friends are still part of her life and that spontaneous plans with them can help her forget about work altogether.

“I am very lucky that I grew up in Mumbai, and even after a long day of work, I can go back home, text one of my school groups and be like: ‘Do y’all want to meet?’ And we inevitably end up going on a long drive,” she recalls.

Her friends work in different professions, including chartered accountancy and teaching.

That diversity, she suggests, helps keep her world connected to life outside cinema.

“In those moments, you forget about your work. Everybody does,” she says.

Why Movies Have Always Mattered to Her

Sharvari’s love for cinema began at home.

She remembers weekends spent going to theatres with her parents and older sister Kasturi. The family did not necessarily choose films based on genre.

What mattered was whether the movie could entertain and transport them somewhere else.

“Growing up, going to the movies was an entire event,” she recalls.

She says she was fascinated by the ability of storytelling to take audiences into another world.

“And that’s a feeling that never left me,” she adds.

That early relationship with cinema appears to remain central to the way she approaches acting today.

A Millennial-Gen Z Bridge

Sharvari also sees herself as someone positioned between two generations.

Rather than choosing whether she identifies more strongly with millennials or Gen Z, she says she sees value in both.

“Why choose one? I am walking the bridge between both generations,” she says.

She identifies with what she describes as the resilience associated with millennials while appreciating Gen Z’s emphasis on authenticity and fearlessness.

“I carry millennial grit and resilience, but I also love the fearlessness, authenticity, and the idea of the true self that Gen Z brings in,” she explains.

That balance also appears in how she presents herself publicly, where polished fashion and film promotion coexist with glimpses of her friends, family and everyday life.

Finding Joy in the Small Things

For all the scale surrounding her upcoming projects, Sharvari says she continues to find happiness in relatively simple experiences.

Her close relationships, family, travel and time away from work remain important to her.

Even her social-media presence occasionally reflects that playful side. Her birthday celebrations, for instance, included food and references inspired by some of her films, turning her professional world into part of a personal celebration.

It is an approach that captures the balance she seems to be seeking: embracing the opportunities that come with a growing film career without allowing the industry to completely define her identity.

Sharvari’s Ambition for What Comes Next

The actor’s immediate future is packed with films, collaborations and new challenges. But her ambitions extend beyond simply accumulating projects.

She wants to work across genres, learn from different filmmakers and continue developing as a performer.

At the same time, she wants to preserve the relationships and experiences that existed before the spotlight became so intense.

As she looks ahead, Sharvari’s wish is straightforward: more films, travel, shared experiences and a stronger connection with audiences.

“I am manifesting lots of films, work, travel, shared experiences. And most importantly, lots of love from the audience,” she says.

For an actor who spent years auditioning before getting her first break, the current moment represents not just success but the opportunity to decide what comes next.