Acting, at its core, is all about expressing oneself: Ssujata Mehta

MUMBAI: With an impressive filmography that includes iconic movies like Pratighaat, Yateem, Pratigyabadh, Gunahon Ka Devta, Hum Sab Chor Hain, 3 Deewarein, and Chitkar (Gujarati), actress Ssujata Mehta has now also started focusing on writing and training people in acting. Speaking about her endeavor, she shares, 'I have a project called Superstar Jalsa, which isn’t just about acting—it’s about self-expression.' Through this initiative, Ssujata aims to inspire individuals to unlock their creative potential.

“Acting, at its core, is all about expressing oneself. So far, I’ve led five workshops, and they’ve yielded incredible results. I’m passionate about training actors, especially drama actors, before their final shoot because I also learn a lot from them,” she added.

Ssujata believes that acting can’t be taught as it is about drawing out the expressions that already exist within people. “Some individuals are fully self-expressed, while others need guidance to unlock that potential—and that’s what I enjoy doing. I hope to contribute to the acting world by writing, acting, and directing, helping others discover their own self-expression,” she said.

For Ssujata, constructive criticism is very important. She said, “When someone comes to watch my play or performance, I always ask for constructive criticism. Of course, it can feel uncomfortable at first because, as performers, we have our own perspective on how we conceive and portray a character. And, as human beings, we can’t always be perfect.”

“However, when I receive feedback, especially in theater—since it's a live medium—I take it seriously. I go home, sit with my script, and reflect on the entire performance. I also seek advice from my directors and seniors, many of whom have greatly contributed to my career,” she added.

As an actor, she is always open to possibilities and criticism. “If I’m playing a particular character and find similar roles in other films or plays, I watch them to gain insights and make any necessary adjustments to my performance. It’s a great way to improvise and grow as an actor,” she said.

“Today, actors can watch themselves on monitors during shoots, but back in the day, we didn’t have that option. I would check my performance, and if I wasn’t satisfied, I’d talk to the director about making changes. Ultimately, though, the final decision rests with the director. I follow the principle of SBT—surrender, believe, and trust in my director,” she ended.