Arshin Mehta on Hard Work and Dedication: 'I Never Give Up, No Matter the Challenge'

MUMBAI: Arshin Mehta, who stars in The Diary of West Bengal and has also appeared in films like The Rally and Main Raj Kapoor Ho Gaya, as well as web series such as Zee 5's Main Hero Boll Raha Hu and Jio Cinema's Fuh Se Fantasy, says that her hardworking nature is her greatest asset as an actor.

She shared, “My greatest strength is that I never give up. I'm incredibly hardworking on set, and it doesn’t matter how many hours I’ve worked, whether I’ve eaten, slept, or if there are any problems with costumes or anything else. Once I know I need to be on set, I’ll be there, no matter what. I’ve never delayed a shoot because of myself—I’m fully dedicated to my craft.”

“I feel really grateful because I come from an academic background with no connection to acting, yet I’ve had so many opportunities in this industry. With so much competition, I consider myself fortunate to have worked on so many projects and to see my dreams come true. As an actor, I would never give up because I feel that God has been kind to me. So, it’s my duty to give 100% to every project, with full dedication and hard work,” she added.

Arshin says she continues to push forward, driven by her never-give-up attitude. “This strength also comes from the love and support of my family and friends, especially my mom and dad, who always stand by me no matter what,” she said.

When asked how she handles high-pressure situations and tight deadlines, she responded, “High-pressure situations usually fall on the director, not so much on me as an artist. I remember a time when we had to shoot all night, and by morning, we were all exhausted. The sun had started to rise, but the DOP managed to cover everything with black curtains to maintain the night effect.”

“We had been shooting for more than 24 hours, and everyone was tired. In such high-pressure moments, I stay calm. I’ve noticed that if you’re stressed, it shows on screen, so it’s crucial to remain composed and focus on the character. I never let the pressure in my mind affect my performance,” she explained.

She emphasized that staying calm helps her get most of her work done. “If things aren’t going well, I reassure the director and the team, suggesting that we can always shift the scene to the next day if needed. I try to make it easy and comfortable for everyone, so we can give our best effort without unnecessary stress. Sometimes deadlines are tight, like when we have to shoot an entire movie in 12 days when it would normally take 30. In those cases, we work double shifts or at least 16-18 hours a day,” she noted.

“As an artist, I’m used to it because I love my job, so it doesn’t matter if I get minimal rest—I’m fine with it. I believe it’s an actor’s responsibility to work hard, even under tight deadlines. When I know I have a monologue or a long scene that depends entirely on me, and there’s not much time, I prepare in advance. I keep repeating and memorizing my lines for days until they’re fully ingrained in my mind. I’m always prepared before I start shooting—I read my script 2-3 times, understand every scene, and then come to the set ready. This preparation makes it easier for the whole team, and everything goes smoothly,” she concluded.