03 February,2026 07:51 PM IST | Mumbai | Amarylisa Gonsalves
Taha Shah Badussha
Taha Shah Badussha became a name on everyone's lips after his breakthrough performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi. He once again grabbed headlines recently when his film Paro: The Untold Story of Bride Slavery made it to the contention list for the Oscars 2026. One's film making it to such a stage is no ordinary feat and arguably the dream for many. So was it for Taha, he told us. When mid-day caught up with Taha Shah Badussha, he got candid about Paro, Heeramandi, his career, and more.
He recalled the moment he got the news, saying, "To be honest, I was sitting here when they messaged me. So first of all, I was thinking that these people were pulling my leg and were joking. I was told by the producer and actress, Trupti (Bhoir). And I'm like, 'No, no'. She had to really convince me. She said, 'Hey, check the link.' I checked the link. Then I went up and down. I was seeing that these people were not joking around."
"When I found out that this was actually happening, I think I went very quiet because I didn't understand that a film made from the heart, but a small film, can reach this level. It was a wish, but I never thought that it would actually reach this level. And then it takes a moment to sink in. I was shocked. After that, it took me half an hour to realise that it is true. Then I called everyone again, and everyone was very happy," he further shared.
Talking of releasing in India, Taha added, "Now we're just trying to push it to get the right release."
When asked why he chose acting as a career, Taha shared, "I think when you are young, you really want respect from your classmates. You want adoration from your classmates. You want people to clap for you or cheer for you. And I feel I didn't get that in my childhood. I always felt that I was left out. Nobody used to cheer for me, even if I did well. So I wanted to make myself so strong. I wanted to make myself so talented."
The 38-year-old adds, "It's very funny. When you were young, you wanted it, and you put in all the effort to get that. And when you put all the effort, you realise that you need to be your biggest cheerleader."
Recalling his childhood, he shared, "I think since childhood. I have always wanted to be on stage. I like stage shows. I used to watch a lot of plays, and I used to love it. At that time, I didn't know about acting. But when I was about 20 years old, I told my mom, and she put me into the New York Film Academy."
When asked about the highest and lowest points in his career, he quips Heeramandi as the undisputed high point. Reflecting on the lowest point, he revealed it was COVID-19. He shared. "The lowest point would be somewhere around 2020 after COVID."
Explaining why the time was tough on him, he shared, "I was in the US. So the people here (in Mumbai) forgot me. I was doing something in the US, but then COVID happened." Adding how the situation left him hanging, he said, "So I was not from here nor from there. I was lost. And I believe, to get myself out of that was a hard time. I thought my time would end."
