Adah Sharma on post-Kerala Story career: 'People trust you with bigger stuff'
Synopsis
Adah Sharma says hitting a blockbuster with The Kerala Story didn't box her in — it did the opposite. Filmmakers now trust her with roles that are 'challenging, unpredictable and completely different,' and her next move is a Marathi cinema debut in the true-events film Gajra, set for 2027.
Key Takeaways
Adah Sharma says The Kerala Story 's success led to greater trust from filmmakers, not fewer opportunities.
She is set to make her Marathi cinema debut in Gajra , a film based on true events directed by Shreyas Jadhav , releasing in 2027 .
She recently starred in Governor alongside Manoj Bajpayee , a film inspired by the 1990 Indian economic crisis .
The 34-year-old actress debuted in 2008 with the Hindi horror film 1920 and is also known for the Commando franchise.
Actress Adah Sharma says the blockbuster success of The Kerala Story did not narrow her options — it expanded them, opening doors to a diverse range of complex, challenging roles that she describes as every actor's dream.
The Kerala Story Effect
Speaking about her experience after the film's success, Adah said: 'I actually experienced that once you have a hit, then more people trust you with bigger stuff.' She noted that the opportunity pipeline shifted meaningfully after the film's release, with filmmakers approaching her with characters that are, in her words, 'challenging, unpredictable and completely different from one another.'
This runs counter to a widely held perception in the industry that actresses often find themselves typecast or underserved by scripts following a high-profile hit. Adah's trajectory suggests the opposite has held true in her case.
About The Kerala Story
The Kerala Story follows the story of Shalini, a former nursing student from Kerala, whose life takes a harrowing turn as she becomes the wife of a terrorist. The film charts her journey from an ordinary young woman to a victim of radicalisation and terrorism, and drew significant national attention upon its release.
Next: Marathi Cinema Debut with Gajra
Adah is now set to make her Marathi cinema debut with the upcoming film Gajra, based on true events. Directed by Shreyas Jadhav, the film is slated to release in 2027. The project marks a significant expansion of her linguistic and regional footprint as a performer.
Career Background
The 34-year-old actress made her acting debut with the 2008 Hindi horror film 1920 and built a steady career through films including Hasee Toh Phasee, Heart Attack, S/O Satyamurthy, and Kshanam. She is also widely recognised for her work in the Vidyut Jammwal-starrer Commando franchise.
Most recently, she appeared in Governor, starring alongside Manoj Bajpayee and directed by Chinmay D. Mandlekar. The film draws from the events surrounding the 1990 Indian economic crisis and explores the institutional relationship between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Government of India. With a Marathi debut on the horizon and an expanding slate of varied roles, Adah Sharma's post-Kerala Story chapter appears to be defined by creative ambition rather than consolidation.
Point of View
A true-events Marathi film, consolidates that range or becomes a one-off experiment. The Governor casting, alongside Manoj Bajpayee in a film rooted in institutional economics, already signals an appetite for material well outside the mainstream comfort zone.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did The Kerala Story impact Adah Sharma's career?
Adah Sharma says the film's success led filmmakers to trust her with bigger, more complex roles rather than limiting her options. She described receiving characters that are 'challenging, unpredictable and completely different from one another.'
What is Adah Sharma's upcoming film Gajra about?
Gajra is a Marathi film based on true events, directed by Shreyas Jadhav. It marks Adah Sharma's debut in Marathi cinema and is scheduled to release in 2027.
What is the film Governor that Adah Sharma recently appeared in?
Governor is a film starring Manoj Bajpayee, directed by Chinmay D. Mandlekar. It is inspired by the events surrounding the 1990 Indian economic crisis and explores the relationship between the Reserve Bank of India and the Government of India.
What is The Kerala Story about?
The Kerala Story follows Shalini, a former nursing student from Kerala who becomes the wife of a terrorist. The film depicts her journey from an ordinary young woman to a victim of radicalisation and terrorism.
When did Adah Sharma make her acting debut?
Adah Sharma made her acting debut in 2008 with the Hindi horror film 1920. She subsequently appeared in films including Hasee Toh Phasee, Heart Attack, S/O Satyamurthy, Kshanam, and the Commando franchise.
