Rakeysh Mehra confirms that Saiyami Kher is her 'Sahibaan'

It’s final. After months of intensive search and rigorous churning Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra has finally found his Sahibaan for his love tale Mirza Sahibaan. She is none other than Saiyami Kher, niece of the very talented actress Tanve Azmi and grand-daughter of yesteryears’ leading lady Usha Kiron. Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra makes it very clear that Saiyami was not chosen for her illustrious acting lineage. Says Rakeysh, “We’ve selected Saiyami for her ability to project the delicacy, strength, turmoil, and resolve of the character. Just like Harshvardhan, it didn’t matter where Saiyami came from. She had to prove herself capable of carrying off the character.” Rakeysh confesses the decision wasn’t easy. “We searched for our Sahibaan for months. We finally shortlisted three girls, all strong possibilities as being the final choice. We put all three under rigorous training. That Saiyami finally got the role was a matter of just a slight edge. All three were almost equally competent. And I know the other two girls are also going to be major talents in our cinema.” Saiyami’s aunts Tanve Azmi and Shabana Azmi seemed unaware that Saiyami had been finalized for the coveted part opposite Anil Kapoor’s son. “I knew she was under consideration. But I wasn’t aware she has been confirmed. That’s terrific news,” said Tanve. Saiyami has been searching for the right break in Bollywood for two years now. She even did a Telugu film entitled Rey with Ramcharan Teja’s nephew Sai Dharam. But Rakeysh’s film is Saiyami’s break into the big league.