Shama Sikander

She gained recognition for her portrayal of Pooja Mehta in the popular television show Yeh Meri Life Hai (2003–2005).

Her first major role on television was as the title character "Pooja Mehta" in the popular Sony TV drama Ye Meri Life Hai (2003–2005).

Sikander subsequently anchored Popkorn Newz (2007) and Jet Set Go (2008) before returning to film with the lead role of "Jiya" in Dhoom Dadakka (2008).

Portraying the character Kusum opposite south Indian actor Abbas, the film produced by Rukamanee Arts was a box office success, doing reasonably well and garnering generally favourable reviews.

Though her feature films failed to establish Sikander as a box office success, her Television debut, portraying the title character "Pooja Metha" in the popular Sony TV drama Ye Meri Life Hai (2003–2005), made the show a household name overnight, gave her "instant fame",[4][5] and eventually elevated her to "one of the most loved faces on Indian television.

The same year she was seen in the lead role in Chand Bujh Gaya, a film on the Godhra train burning and 2002 Gujarat riots, which was initially refused certification by CBFC and FCAT and could be released only after the producers approached the Bombay High Court.

[7] Fueled by the success of Ye Meri Life Hai and her subsequent performances, Sikander made frequent guest appearances on various popular programs, including Batliwala House No.

While her TV career flourished, Sikander returned to film in 2008 with a supporting role in director Shashi Ranjan's Dhoom Dhadaka alongside notable Bollywood actors Jackie Shroff, Anupam Kher, Gulshan Grover, and Satish Kaushik.

2010 saw Sikander return to a lead role in a television series for the first time since leaving Ye Meri Life Hai in 2005.

Sikander's Shunyaa featured as the central character in the supernatural thriller series Seven (2010–2011), produced by Yash Raj Films.

After a short break Sikander took the role of the main antagonist, Byankar Pari, in the young-adult fantasy program Baal Veer starting in September 2012.

[11][12] In December 2017, Sikander announced Ab Dil Ki Sunn, the maiden project of her home production in which she also plays the lead role.

[13] Inspired by her own life incidents,[14] Ab Dil Ki Sunn features 7 short films based on different human aspects such as bipolar disorder, depression, and other social and emotional complexities, distributed exclusively on YouTube.

Sikander at the screening of the short film Sexaholic