Actress Shriyam Bhagnani, who will be seen in Netflix and Dharmatic Entertainment’s upcoming romantic drama Aap Jaisa Koi, opens up about her special on-screen relationship with veteran actress Ayesha Raza. In the film, Shriyam plays Ayesha’s daughter, a dynamic that brought with it not just a bond on camera, but also a heartfelt connection off camera.

Speaking about their bond, Shriyam shares, "From the very first day in Mumbai, Ayesha ma’am and I just connected. She has this warmth and energy that instantly draws you in. Playing her daughter felt real, not just scripted. She’s a senior and someone I deeply respect, but she’s always treated me like an equal.. never once made me feel like a new actor who didn’t know enough. That kindness is rare, and I’ll always hold it close. We had a lot of fun on set.. she’s spontaneous, razor sharp, and incredibly generous. Every scene with her felt alive. Between shots, we’d talk about the world, share meals, even go out on off days to shop or get photos clicked. Off camera, we had our little group with Ritu Chaudhry Seth, Anubha Fatehpuria ma’am and the other actors. That group is full of laughter whenever we meet! That comfort and ease translated straight into our scenes, and I think audiences will feel it too.”

Ayesha Raza shared, "I met Shriyam directly on the sets of Aap Jaisa Koi, we hadn’t known each other before. It’s always lovely to work with younger actors; they bring this fresh energy to the set. Shriyam was clear, eager and very sincere about her performance. She knew her part, understood what she was doing, and had a strong approach to her character. After the shoot, we spent quite a bit of time together and built a real bond. She’s become a friend, an inspiration, and a bit of a mentor too ...constantly encouraging me to click pictures and use Instagram more! I really admire her for being so open, authentic, and unafraid to put herself out there.”

Shriyam, who is also gearing up for her big-ticket biopic Sumo Didi, adds that working alongside a seasoned actor like Ayesha Raza was an experience she will always value deeply. Directed by Dharmatic Entertainment, Aap Jaisa Koi stars R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh in the lead and is set to stream on Netflix starting July 11, 2025.

While Aap Jaisa Koi explores modern love and relationships, Shriyam’s next film Sumo Didi is rooted in grit and resilience. In the JioCinema biopic, she steps into the role of Hetal Dave - India’s first and only professional female sumo wrestler. The film has already received international acclaim at film festivals and wrapped its final schedule in Japan. Shriyam said, “Sumo Didi was physically and emotionally the most demanding role I’ve done. I trained for months to embody Hetal’s strength and transformation. Her journey is extraordinary, breaking stereotypes in a male-dominated sport, and doing it with quiet determination.”

With two powerful projects lined up, one exploring matters of the heart and the other celebrating a real-life trailblazer, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for the young actress.