Having been part of films such as Force and Sarkar, Saksham Dayma recently appeared in Meghna Gulzar’s Daayra, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Playing Inspector Ibrahim gave him the opportunity to work alongside the two actors and observe their approach to the craft. The experience also shaped his understanding of characterisation, the roles he hopes to explore and cinema’s ability to challenge perceptions of right and wrong.Reflecting on what he learnt from observing his co-stars, Kareena and Prithviraj, Saksham says, “Sharing screen space with them in Daayra has been an incredibly enriching experience. What I really admired was their sense of control and clarity. They know their characters so well that they can be completely present in a scene while leaving room for spontaneity. I feel that is a very important quality. You need to be prepared, but not so fixed in your approach that you stop responding to what is happening around you. I also observed the importance of discipline and consistency. No matter how experienced you are, every scene deserves your complete attention and honesty.”He adds, “I am still learning with every project, and working with actors like them reminds me that acting is a continuous process of observation, unlearning and growth. My biggest takeaway has been that discipline and spontaneity are not opposites; they complement each other. The more thoroughly you prepare, the more freely you can perform. As I move forward, I want to strike that balance by being rigorous in my preparation, fearless in my choices, receptive to my co-actors and honest in every moment on screen. I would also like to thank Meghna Gulzar ma’am and the film’s casting director, Taran Bajaj, for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.”
Saksham Dayma plays Inspector Ibrahim in Meghna Gulzar’s Daayra, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, a film that explores questions of justice and morality.
Finding the layers in Inspector IbrahimPortraying Inspector Ibrahim required Saksham to look beyond the character’s professional identity and understand the emotions shaping his actions. He says, “Playing Inspector Ibrahim in Daayra has been a significant milestone in my acting journey. The character challenged me to look beyond the dialogues and focus on the thoughts, emotions and internal conflicts that shape a person. I believe that what a character chooses not to express can sometimes be just as powerful as what they say, and this role helped me appreciate that subtlety. The experience also taught me the importance of restraint, observation and consistency in building a believable character. Portraying an inspector requires a certain sense of authority and composure, but I wanted Ibrahim to feel human and relatable rather than be defined solely by his profession. Finding that balance pushed me to become more conscious of my body language, expressions and the emotional layers beneath the surface.”The experience has also given him greater clarity about the roles he wants to take on. He says, “Working on Daayra has certainly influenced the kinds of roles I want to explore going forward. I am drawn to characters with depth, contradictions and strong emotional journeys, roles that challenge me to step outside my comfort zone and discover something new about myself as a performer. I would love to explore complex dramatic characters, intense thrillers and roles that are very different from Inspector Ibrahim. Ultimately, I do not want to be confined to a particular image or genre. For me, Daayra has been more than just a film. It has been a valuable learning experience that has strengthened my commitment to growing as an actor.”