Shama wants to avoid image trap

TV actress Shama Sikander doesn't want to get stuck with any particular image and aims to be as versatile as international artists who have the freedom to pick any role at any stage of their lives.

"Outside (abroad), actors are actors. They are not termed as TV actors or film actors. They can do any sort of role in any age. The kind of popularity and respect they get is million times more than us. In India, people like to attach a tag with each and every person," Shama said

"I will always do roles that attract me. I don't get insecure by all these things," added the actress who rose to fame with the TV show "Yeh Meri Life Hai".

After playing an ambitious middle class girl with big dreams in "Yeh Meri Life Hai", Shama is now seen in SAB TV's fantasy show "Baal Veer" in which her character has grey shades. But she is enjoying the role as her motto is do be versatile.

"It depends on how you play the character. I want to play all kinds of characters, I don't want to get stuck anywhere... bind myself in one image. I would like to experiment and that's why I chose this. Because it's a negative role, I am getting to do much more. On TV, there is not much for positive characters," she said.

With more and more reality shows and soaps crowding the small screen, her fantasy show stands a good chance to be liked by all.

"I think this is the right time because we don't have something of this genre. Fantasy always works because people never stop dreaming. Plus, right now we have nothing of this type," she said.

Shama never gets pressurised by people's expectations and says, "When people see you, they do expect something good out of you. But that is only five percent because I work for myself and my pleasure..."

Apart from TV shows, she is trying to make inroads in films and her clothes label also keeps her busy.

"I am working towards films. There are some projects in the pipeline. 15 days of my month goes there, then I have a (clothes) label so I work for that as well."