Actress Akshara Haasan says her upcoming science-fiction film 'Simulacra' pushed her to a level of emotional maturity she had not previously explored on screen. The film, set for release on 17 July on Waves OTT, casts her as Nivi — a woman living in a near-future world where neural brain chips allow people to rewrite or erase their own memories.

What Akshara Said About the Role

Speaking about her character, Akshara Haasan said, 'Nivi is a very different character that I've played. This time I feel it required a different maturity level as a person and therefore a character. With how layered the story is, I discovered a side of me as an actor and got to explore emotions and complexities of emotions colliding. It challenged me as an actor. I truly enjoyed performing the character Nivi.'

The actress described the experience as one of genuine self-discovery, noting that the emotional complexity of the role compelled her to tap into dimensions of her craft she had not previously tested.

The World of 'Simulacra'

Directed by Pankaj Sawant and produced by Philosia Films, 'Simulacra' is set in an imminent near-future where tech giants offer individuals the ability to tailor, rewrite, or completely erase personal memories through neural brain chips. The film follows two strangers — Nayan, played by Satyajeet Dubey, and Nivi, played by Akshara Haasan — whose lives intersect in a society increasingly defined by trans-humanism.

Nayan claims a deep, intimate history with Nivi and presents photographs stored directly in his neural memory vault as proof. Nivi, however, has no recollection of him — her own vault reads entirely blank. As Nayan attempts to recreate their shared past to spark her memory, the two begin developing real feelings for each other.

Satyajeet Dubey on the Film's Themes

Co-lead Satyajeet Dubey explained what drew him to the project. 'What intrigued me about 'Simulacra' was the film's exploration of objective and subjective reality, identity, relationships, and how technology increasingly blurs the lines between what's real and what's perceived. Those themes feel quite relevant today, especially in the age of AI,' he said.

Dubey added that director Sawant's conviction in telling the story was a key factor in his decision to come on board: 'I found his intent to tell this story and his eagerness to bring it to life really inspiring, and I felt compelled to be part of that journey.'

Release and What to Expect

The teaser of 'Simulacra', which was recently unveiled, introduces Nivi and offers audiences a glimpse into its futuristic premise. The film streams on Waves OTT from 17 July. With its focus on memory, identity, and the ethics of technology, the film arrives at a moment when questions around artificial intelligence and human consciousness are drawing mainstream attention in India and globally.