Kamal Ghorui
Naila Grrewal’s journey from Ishq Vishk Rebound to the socially resonant Thappad and now the return of Maamla Legal Hai Season 2 has been anything but linear. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. “As an outsider, if there’s one thing the industry teaches you, it’s stamina, emotional, mental, and sometimes even financial. The testing moments weren’t dramatic; they were quiet. The ‘we’ll let you know’ that never did. The rooms where you could feel you were almost there, but not quite. That limbo can make you question whether talent is enough.”Yet, the reassurances came just as quietly. “Walking onto the set of Thappad, being part of a story that mattered, not just commercially but culturally, I felt an odd calm. It wasn’t fireworks; it was alignment. Almost like the universe saying, ‘See? This is why you waited.’ My journey hasn’t been linear, but then again, the most interesting stories rarely are.”
Fresh out of school, Grrewal found herself sharing space with actors like Ranbir Kapoor and Ayushmann Khurrana. She says, “I was completely raw, equal parts eager and clueless,” she recalls. “What struck me about both of them was their commitment to craft despite already being stars. Ranbir has this incredible stillness and detail in his prep — he listens and feels deeply. Ayushmann brings this discipline and hunger, yet this ease with which he emotes. His humility stays with you.”From Taapsee Pannu, she says, came a lesson in conviction. “She doesn’t chase approval; she chases conviction. And that’s rare.” And from Ravi Kishan, a reminder of joy. “He brings an infectious passion to the set — a reminder that acting is still play, still joy. What I learnt from these actors is that stardom may fluctuate, but professionalism cannot. Show up prepared. Be kind to the crew. Know your lines. And perhaps leave your ego at home.” Being welcomed into the industry, she adds, is never guaranteed, especially, for those without legacy backing. “Persistence is non-negotiable. Preparation is respect — for the role and for yourself. And gratitude is survival. As outsiders, we don’t inherit rooms; we earn entry. Gratitude keeps me grounded because this profession is unpredictable. One Friday can change everything in both directions. Staying grounded, for me, means keeping my innate fundamentals in place and remembering that acting is what I do, not who I am entirely.”Now, with Maamla Legal Hai Season 2 on Netflix, Grrewal speaks less about proving and more about refining. She says, “What excites me most is the continuity. In a profession where everything is transient, returning to a character the audience has already embraced feels like trust — and trust is precious. This phase feels less about proving and more about refining. I’m choosing with more clarity, listening to my instinct more, and worrying less about noise.”
