The film bombed but people still remember her as the dancing diva, offering her bits of roles. A string of flops later, Sharvani is back and will be soon seen in Zoya Akhtar’s directorial debut, Luck by Chance. “The film was supposed to be my second but got delayed. Last year however, Zoya called me to find out if I was still on,” says the petite actress, all-excited. And despite having suffered a bad spell, Sharvani chose to go with a debut project. “I didn’t think twice —it’s the best script I’ve read.”

Luck by Chance revolves around the Bollywood industry and the struggle to survive in it. While Farhan Akhtar plays the struggling protagonist, Hrithik Roshan is a film star. “It’s a film about films,” Sharvani sums it.

The soft-spoken actress plays a debutant actress, Nikita, who is also the daughter of a 60s superstar. “The role has many layers because initially, I play a naïve, protected daughter, then a debut actress and finally, the character that I play as an actress,” she smiles. Sharvani though will not be seen in her dancing element in the film. “But one of the songs features me alongside Farhan and Hrithik and has me doing a ring sequence.”

The 21-year-old adds the cast also played a crucial rule in her decision to do the film. “The cast and crew, dominated by youngsters, infuse energy and passion into the film. It helps lend it a contemporary vibe, like it did with Farhan’s Don or Dil Chahta Hai.” However, she feels strongly for her director. “Zoya’s clarity on what she wants and her organisational skills bear the impressions of a seasoned filmmaker. And her attention to detail will be her strength,” gushes Sharvani.

The danseuse is currently in her hometown Kerala, where she returns often. “I grew up in rural areas and my mother’s (choreographer Daksha Seth) dancing school, Naatyashram, is by a lake. So, though I like Mumbai, I miss my picturesque hometown,” she says, explaining how it serves as the perfect backdrop to practice martial arts without any distractions.

Adept at Kalari Payattu, chau and rope mallakhamb, the actress, along with her mother, is planning a show, Kaali, in Mumbai that will fuse dance and martial arts. Set to premiere on April 3, Kaali will be an experience, Sharvani assures.