“I Didn’t Know That Something Like This Could Come Out Of Me”: Helly Shah Opens Up About Exploring Comedy With ‘Chumbak’!

Helly Shah is venturing into uncharted territory with her upcoming series Chumbak, marking her debut in the comedy genre. While the transition from her signature dramatic performances brought an initial wave of nervousness, the actress credits writer and director Aatish Kapadia’s steadfast trust for helping her tap into a comedic ability she didn’t know she possessed.

Talking about her experience, Helly shared, “Comedy is completely new. this is my first time doing comedy. I have never done comedy before. And I was honestly so nervous, so unsure if I will be able to pull it off or not.”

While the unfamiliar territory initially made her apprehensive, Helly credits Atish Kapadia for seeing the potential in her and giving her the confidence to take the plunge. She says his trust allowed her to surrender to the process and approach the character without preconceived notions.

She added, “I personally feel it’s Atish sir’s trust and belief in me that I can do this. And I am just so, so glad that he could see that spark of twinkle in me. Because I honestly went on the set after surrendering. I didn’t know how it will be, what I will do.”

For Helly, the experience has gone beyond simply attempting a new genre. It has become an opportunity to discover an unexplored facet of her craft. “He has helped me explore a part of myself as an actor. Because I didn’t know that I can do comedy. I didn’t know that something like this can come out of me. And I am so thankful to sir,” she said.

Reflecting on the emotional significance of the journey, Helly revealed that she even expressed her gratitude to the director on the final day of the shoot. “I think I shiver because this is something so close to my heart. And I always get emotional that I have done something new. And he has trusted me with all his heart,” she shared.

With ‘Chumbak’, Helly Shah is not just entering a new genre but also discovering a new dimension of herself as a performer, one that she hopes audiences will get to see and enjoy.

By Keerti Kadam