Opening Doorz

By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | January 19, 2025

The beauty of Shiv Jyoti’s performances lies in her ability to express deep, conflicting emotions through her eyes. Very few actors possess this rare quality—being fully present in the moment, immersing themselves with intent, and connecting with the scene emotionally. Her body language perfectly complements her gaze, creating a powerful synergy that draws the audience in. This instant connection with viewers is the hallmark of a truly gifted actor.

Shiv Jyoti’s performance in ‘Fateh’ is brilliant. She portrays Nimrit Kaur, a simple yet pivotal character around whom the story revolves, with remarkable depth. Her nuanced portrayal evokes the emotions that drive Fateh Singh’s rampage in the film. Her dialogue delivery is structured yet natural, and her presence gives the impression of a seasoned theatre actor.

Assuming she has a theatre background, I ask where she learnt her craft. She’s quiet for a moment before she reveals, “I don’t have a theatre background. I watch my performances multiple times to understand what I’ve done. Before a take, I go deep into my inner world to connect with the character. My goal is to create magic on screen—in this moment, I am only hoping to be that magical girl. And to be magic, I have to work a lot on myself. I don’t want to take this fame as a distraction.”

Transitioning from the corporate world, Shiv Jyoti found her true calling in acting, a passion she had harboured for years. Her journey began unexpectedly, during her time at an advertising agency. Her boss suggested she appear in an ad campaign, sparking her first on-camera experience with a Dove advertisement. “I wasn’t confident in front of the camera, and I wasn’t in great shape,” Shiv Jyoti admits. “I took the leap, and that ad changed everything for me.” Since then, she has appeared in many ads and two web series, officially starting her acting journey sometime around 2018.

Opening Doorz caught up with the actor, flush after the success of ‘Fateh’.

Excerpts:

How has the response to Fateh been from the professional circle?

Everyone is saying I’m very natural, and I’ve been receiving a lot of compliments. But honestly, I’m waiting for someone who has been in the industry for years, to tell me I’ve done a great job. That’s the validation I’m looking for.

How did your role come about?

I think the best person to answer that would be Sonu Sir. I don’t know why he chose me for such a performance-oriented role.

Do you feel any similarities between yourself and Nimrit, the character you portrayed?

Yes, I do. Deep down, I’m a very family-oriented person. If I weren’t an actress or pursuing a career, I’d probably be like Nimrit—taking care of everyone, trying to make them happy, and creating an atmosphere of positivity and joy.

I could also relate to Nimrit’s inner world, it made it easier for me to project her on screen. Acting is about empathy and emotional connection, that’s why I could embody her so well. It’s very different from the logical approach of the corporate world.

You’re originally from Delhi. What did you start out doing, professionally?

I worked in the hospitality industry as a marketing manager and in an outdoor company as a business manager. I never stayed in one job for very long. Although I was sharp and good at my work, I felt disconnected from the profession. I couldn’t handle the political environment in the corporate sector and never felt like I belonged there.

Is that what prompted you to transition into the glam world?

Acting gives me the privilege to express myself without shame, something I couldn’t find in the corporate world. In corporate life, everything is about logic, but in acting, it’s about empathy. That’s why I chose acting over the logical business world. I was always fascinated by acting and passionately wanted to be an actress, though I never told my parents about it. After doing the Dove ad, I moved to Mumbai in 2018 to seriously pursue a career in acting.

Your boss and Dove gave you the wings to fly?

Yes, you could say that.

How has your journey been so far?

I’m still figuring out what I’m doing. My roots in this industry aren’t strong enough to give a clear picture of my journey. I feel like I’m still in the process of becoming someone and building something. I don’t think I’ll have a full answer to this question for another ten years.

What projects do you have in the pipeline?

I have two music albums with big singers coming out soon. There’s also an Amazon series in the works, which I hope gets finalized. It’s quite different from what I’ve done in cinema so far.

More than anything, I feel producers need to take a leap of faith in me—to let me shine and create magic on screen. Unfortunately, many producers still favour star kids who aren’t delivering strong performances, which corrupts the true essence of cinema. It’s disheartening for those who are genuinely passionate about this art form.

What are your thoughts on the current state of Hindi cinema?

Honestly, I haven’t seen one truly good Hindi movie in a long time. That said, I did enjoy Kareena Kapoor Khan’s performance in Buckingham Murders. It surprised me because I haven’t been impressed by her work otherwise.

Overall, I feel Hindi cinema has become too focused on glamour. There aren’t many performers left who truly connect with the audience. That’s why I’ve shifted my attention to Punjabi movies. They have some very good actors who perform naturally. Their performances remind me there’s still beauty in storytelling and acting. I spend a lot of time watching different kinds of cinema that I consider ‘good’—movies I can learn from. For me, cinema is about constantly improving and discovering new ways to express myself.

Are there any particular roles you’re looking for?

I would love to explore something completely different, like playing an archaeologist or doing action-oriented roles. There are so many unexplored mysteries in our country—hidden gems and untold stories that could make fascinating films.

When I watch documentaries about such topics, I think about how great it would be to make a movie that educates people while delivering good cinema. Unfortunately, no one wants to think outside the box right now, likely because so little seems to be working in theatres.

Image Credit: jyot10

Also Read: Fateh Movie Review: Sonu Sood is Bollywood’s Next Action Hero

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