Sunidhi Chauhan shares her experience of assisting imtiaz Ali on Tamasha: Mistaken for her own doppelganger
Singer Sunidhi Chauhan, known for her powerful voice and hit songs in Bollywood, recently revealed a lesser-known chapter of her career — assisting director Imtiaz Ali on the set of his 2015 film Tamasha, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. In a candid conversation with film critic Sucharita Tyagi, Sunidhi shared her passion for filmmaking, her admiration for Ali’s work, and the surreal experience of being mistaken for her own lookalike by locals during the shoot.
A unique opportunity to work with Imtiaz Ali
Sunidhi, a self-proclaimed fan of Imtiaz Ali, expressed her deep admiration for his approach to storytelling and had long hoped for an opportunity to work with him. Her wish came true during the making of Tamasha, which follows the story of self-discovery and emotional complexity through the journeys of its protagonists, Ved and Tara.
In the interview, Sunidhi shared her excitement at the chance to work alongside the celebrated director. “I assisted on a very good film called Tamasha,” she explained. “Thanks to Imtiaz Ali. I’m a devotee of his work, and luckily, we know each other well. So he gave me that opportunity.” Her admiration for Ali’s unique storytelling style made her eager to learn about the filmmaking process up close, and she felt that working on Tamasha was the perfect chance to gain insight into his craft.
Stepping into the role of an assistant director
Although she initially expected to just observe, Sunidhi found herself fulfilling the role of an assistant director (AD), taking on various tasks essential to the film’s production. As a first-time AD, she admitted to feeling nervous but embraced her responsibilities wholeheartedly, gaining a deep understanding of the demands of the role.
“I was terrified, but I did everything an AD should do,” Sunidhi recalled. She helped manage crowd scenes, assisted in coordinating shots, and took on other production duties. Her commitment impressed the crew, many of whom wondered if Sunidhi was testing the waters for a career as a director. But the singer clarified that her motives were purely about learning: “People on set were thinking, ‘Do I want to be a director?’ I said, no such thing. I just wanted to experience the process of filmmaking.”
Mistaken identity on set: ‘You look like Sunidhi Chauhan’
One of the more humorous incidents during her time on set was being mistaken for her own doppelganger. In bustling crowd scenes, where Sunidhi often managed people around the set, locals would stare at her with a mix of recognition and disbelief. “The crowd would look at me, thinking, ‘She looks familiar,’” Sunidhi shared. “They would say, ‘You look like Sunidhi Chauhan,’ and I would say, ‘Really?’” Despite her fame, few could believe that the celebrated singer would be working behind the scenes. Sunidhi took the confusion in stride, enjoying the anonymity her role afforded her, even as it amused both her and those who recognized her face but not her role.
Pursuing a love for filmmaking, not directing
While fans and even the crew speculated that Sunidhi’s foray into filmmaking could be the beginning of a directing career, she clarified her intentions. Her role in Tamasha was not about pursuing a permanent shift in her career but rather an immersive experience in the craft she admired from a distance. “I just wanted to experience the process of filmmaking,” she said, adding that she felt honored to be part of such a project. Ali’s generous encouragement allowed her to participate and observe the complex process of creating cinema from the inside.
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Sunidhi’s openness in her interview with Tyagi also extended beyond her Tamasha experience. The singer discussed ongoing challenges faced by singers in the Bollywood industry, particularly issues around payment. Sunidhi disclosed that she, along with many other artists, has struggled with unpaid dues, hinting at the industry’s power dynamics. “You don’t want to hurt anybody’s ego,” she said, underscoring the tricky balance artists must maintain in an industry where payment delays are unfortunately common.
A multifaceted talent
Sunidhi’s experience on Tamasha offers fans a glimpse of her versatility and passion for the entertainment world beyond singing. By stepping out of her comfort zone and taking on an assistant role, she demonstrated her eagerness to learn and contribute in various capacities. Her reflections on this experience underscore her curiosity and dedication to understanding the storytelling process, adding a new dimension to her public persona.
A storytelling future?
While Sunidhi has expressed no plans to transition into a director’s role, her deep engagement with storytelling and admiration for directors like Imtiaz Ali suggest that she may continue to explore opportunities that allow her to broaden her skills. Whether she stays behind the microphone or occasionally ventures behind the camera, Sunidhi Chauhan remains an artist dedicated to her craft, willing to expand her horizons in Bollywood’s multifaceted world.
