“TV Was My Foundation”: Rose Sardana on Her Journey From Television to Zombie Comedy Films

With a career that seamlessly bridges television and cinema, Rose Sardana has steadily carved a niche for herself through performances that feel natural, relatable, and emotionally grounded. From winning hearts in television shows like Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi and Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar to sharing screen space with some of the biggest names in films such as Drishyam 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Rose has continued to evolve as a performer with every project. In a exclusive interview with Lokmat Times Rose opens up about her journey from television to films, learning from stars like Ajay Devgn, Madhuri Dixit and Vidya Balan, exploring the zombie genre in India, and why she believes honesty remains the key to every performance.

You began your journey with television shows like Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi and Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar—how did those early experiences shape you as an actor?

Television was truly my foundation. Shows like Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi and Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar gave me a very real understanding of discipline and consistency. When you’re shooting every single day, often for long hours, you learn to trust your instincts and stay emotionally present no matter what. TV also taught me how to hold a character’s emotional graph over months, sometimes years. That ability to stay honest, grounded, and engaged with the role has shaped my approach even today.

Transitioning from TV to films like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Drishyam 2 can be challenging—what differences did you notice in the craft and working environment?

The shift from TV to films like Bhool Bhulaiya 3, Drishyam 2 and now IIZ is both exciting and humbling. The craft becomes more detailed—films give you the time and space to explore layers, rehearse, and really build the emotional beats. Working on Drishyam 2 with Ajay sir taught me a lot about stillness and subtlety; he has this incredible command over screen presence without ever overdoing anything. Then watching Madhuri ma’am and Vidya ma’am on the sets of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 was like witnessing masterclasses in grace and precision.
Compared to the fast-paced rhythm of TV, films felt more meditative, more thoughtful. But the core remained the same: honesty. That’s the one thing that ties all mediums together for me.

Your performances are often described as natural and relatable—how do you approach a role to make it feel so effortless on screen?

For me, everything begins with connection. I try to find that one personal thing that makes the character feel familiar. With my upcoming film Indian Institute of Zombie, for instance, I connected instantly with Kiran. Like her, I was also a last bencher in college—I bunked classes, pulled harmless pranks, and lived through that phase of carefree masti. So, even though the world of zombies is wild and fictional, the girl at the center of it felt very real to me. Once that connection clicks, the performance flows naturally. I don’t “perform”—I just try to be, and that’s what makes it feel effortless on screen.

With Indian Institute of Zombie, you’re stepping into a unique genre—what excited you most about this project and your character?

Honestly, what excited me immediately was the fact that we’re doing a proper zombie film in India—something that comes once in a very long time. The zombie genre is hardly explored here, so this felt like a fresh, fun challenge. The story itself is entertaining: a college comes under a zombie attack, and four of us friends try to save our campus and our fellow students. It’s in the horror-comedy space, so while you’ll get your chills, you’ll also laugh out loud because the punchlines are genuinely good. It’s the kind of film that gives you entertainment in every sense.
Working with Gangan sir (Gaganjeet Singh) and Alok sir (Alok Kumar Dwivedi) was another huge reason I said yes—they have such clarity of vision and such a fun approach to storytelling. And my character is not the typical trope you expect in this genre—she’s a beauty blondie, slightly dramatic, slightly adorable, slightly gutsy and it was such a blast playing her.

You’re sharing screen space with Jesse Lever in your upcoming film—how has that collaboration been, and what can audiences expect from your on-screen dynamic?

Working with Jesse has been an absolute riot—in the best way. He’s genuinely a shadow of Johnny Lever sir in terms of his spontaneity and the way he improvises on set. You never know what he’ll do in the next take, which keeps the energy alive and unpredictable. Off camera, we had so much fun too. Whenever we weren’t shooting, all of us would end up playing UNO on set—it became our little ritual.

 Looking ahead, are there any specific genres or roles you’re keen to explore that audiences haven’t seen you in yet?

I love experimenting, and I’m definitely drawn to intense, layered narratives—psychological thrillers in particular. And I’m happy that I already have an intense psycho thriller lined up for release in October. Beyond that, I’d love to explore action too, something physically challenging and out of my comfort zone. As an actor, surprising myself and the audience is always the goal.