EXCLUSIVE: Sayani Gupta reveals her Glory role was special because of Bhupen Hazarika connection; reacts to fake Jab Harry Met Sejal cameo claim: “Did you see me in the film? Was I playing a tree?”

Sayani Gupta may be selective about the projects she takes on, but whenever she signs a film or show, it instantly becomes something to watch out for. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, the talented and vivacious actress opened up about her experience of working on the upcoming web series Glory and much more.

The trailer launch of Glory was exciting as it featured a live boxing match featuring Pulkit Samrat and real-life boxer Neeraj Goyat. When did you learn that such an exciting plan was in place for the trailer event?
I learned about it a few days ago. We learn very late. Humein toh bas attendance deni padti hai (laughs)!

On a serious note, they were very sweet. I got a call from the Netflix team and they explained their plan. It sounded cool. And the way they pulled it off was insane. It was such a well-put-together show. It was fun as well as scary because the punches were real. They both got hit. Pulkit got a few punches on his jaw and he had to get physiotherapy done after the match. It was all in the spirit of the game, as it was a real match. It was a bit make-believe as well as Neeraj, who is a champion, was mindful of (not delivering hard punches). Having said that, they both did such an amazing job. We got to see such true sportsmanship and hence, I had a gala time!

Glory is directed by two directors, Karan Anshuman and Kanishk Varma. How was it being directed by two individuals?
Even in Inside Edge, we had two directors – Karan and Gurmmeet Singh – throughout. Kanishk, one of the directors of Glory, was also the director in season 3 of Inside Edge. Neha Parti Matiyani and Arunima Sharma helmed season 4 of Four More Shots Please. So, it’s not a new concept. Sometimes on the sets of Glory, we would be asking, ‘Aaj kiska hai? Karan ka hai ya Kanishk ka?‘ (laughs).

Karan is extremely involved as he’s the creator and he has a lot of ideas. He has also written my character and he’s very good with actors. Meanwhile, Kaniksh is extremely encouraging and warm. He comes in as a team player. He was more focused on the boxing in great detail. So, they had it planned really well.

There was this one scene where I had to be very specific in my performance. I assumed Karan is doing it, but then I learned that Kanishk would be directing the scene. I was okay with it. Meanwhile, Karan dropped by when we were starting the scene. He was around to clear our doubts. So, it was a collaborative process. There was also a lot of constant communication between them.

In short, having two directors never came in the way. In fact, it made it better. Glory is very complicated as there are actual matches and actual champions with actors who have trained for years.

From the trailer, it seems like you’re playing a journalist…
Yes, I play an investigative journalist. I am the only outsider. I play an Assamese character and not someone from Haryana. I am quite excited to have played Joyna Hazarika. It’s a cool name. I have grown up listening to Bhupen Hazarika. Hence, I was very excited to play a character named Hazarika (smiles). Of course, I had to learn Assamese from my Assamese friends.

As per your Wikipedia profile, you have worked with Pulkit Samrat before, in Fukrey Returns (2017) and that your scene was deleted. Is that true?
(Laughs) No. My Wikipedia profile has two wrong information, one is about my cameo in Fukrey and the other about my cameo in Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017). I have been asked in my interviews, ‘How was your experience working on Jab Harry Met Sejal’. I reply, ‘Have you not seen the film? Did you see me? Was I playing a tree?’ (laughs).

People write anything. Some fan must have thought, ‘She was in Fukrey. I am deciding that’ (laughs).

You were a part of Inside Edge, the first web series to be made in India. How do you look back at that time?
We shot for Inside Edge in 2016. Nobody knew what OTT was. Coincidentally, it was Karan who was also its director. Mohit Shah, the producer of Glory, was also involved. We were figuring it out as we went along. They were ten episodes, each of 40 minutes. There was a lot to shoot. As an actor, emotional continuity was a challenge.

I remember it was like we were shooting scene 8 in Episode 2. Once it was done, we had to change clothes, go to another floor in the same building where another director would direct another scene. And that director would shoot, say, a scene from Episode 10! So, you had to not just change clothes, but also switch into the emotional space your character would be in by the last episode. I am not saying, ‘Oh my god, it was so difficult’. But it was something we were grappling with. Now we do it regularly on a working day.

10 years later, I am doing another show for another platform with the same creator-writer. That time, when he (Karan Anshuman) offered me Rohini, it ended up becoming one of the coolest parts I would ever play. She was so cool as a cricket analyst and there has been a following for the character and the show. Just three days ago, I met someone at the airport who asked me when the next season of Inside Edge would be out! And this time, with Glory, he has written a cool part for me. It’s amazing when people again want to work with you. They keep coming back to collaborate because the feelings are mutual.

Meanwhile, Mohit and Karan are partners in Atomic Films. Mohit and I worked together in Baar Baar Dekho (2016) where he was the unit production manager. Now he’s the producer. So, we have literally seen each other grow.

Lastly, I want to clarify one more aspect, this time from information on your IMDb profile. It says that you feature in Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga…
What? Who are these people (who are making such entries)?

I guess your fans are manifesting that you should work with Imtiaz Ali…
Yes, I guess. I should message Imtiaz sir, ‘Listen, everybody thinks I am in your film. So I better be (in your next one)’!

Also Read: Sayani Gupta’s directorial debut Aasmani to screen at IMFF 2026

The post EXCLUSIVE: Sayani Gupta reveals her Glory role was special because of Bhupen Hazarika connection; reacts to fake Jab Harry Met Sejal cameo claim: “Did you see me in the film? Was I playing a tree?” appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

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