Shama Sikander is a popular Indian actress and model who has appeared in various films, television shows, web series, and music videos.
She is best known for her role as Pooja in the TV series Yeh Meri Life Hai, which aired from 2003 to 2005.
She has also gained recognition for her bold and unconventional roles in the short film Sexaholic and the web series Maaya: Slave of Her Desires.
She is also a fashion designer and has launched her own label called Saisha.
Basic Information
| Full Name | Shama Sikander Ali Gesawat |
| Profession | Actress |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Date of Birth | August 4, 1981 |
| Age | 42 years old (as of 2023) |
| Gender | Female |
| Place of Birth | Makrana, Rajasthan, India |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
Physical Stats
| Height | 5 ft 6 in / 168 cm |
| Weight | 126 lb / 57 kg |
| Body Measurements | Chest: 30, Waist: 28, Hips: 34 |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Race | Asian (Indian) |
| Tattoos | None |
| Shoe Size | Not Known |
| Build | Slim |
Past & Current Relationships:
| Father | Sikander Ali Gesawat |
| Mother | Gulshan |
| Brother | Rizwan Sikander (Brother), Khalid(Brother), Salma(Sister) |
| Marital Status | Married to American businessman James Milliron |
| (Ex)Boyfriends | Mimoh Chakraborty, Alexx O’Nell |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Shama Sikander has been in a few relationships in her personal life.
In 2010 Sikander was linked to actor Mimoh Chakraborty (Mithun Chakraborty’s son) and a many gossip columnist reported they were dating.
She was dating actor Alexx O’Nell from 2011 to 2015. They met through a mutual friend and collaborated on a music video that Alexx composed for Shama. However, they parted ways due to personal differences. Sikander and O’Nell’s relationship was confirmed to be over in January 2015. Shama then found love in James Milliron, an American businessman based in Dubai.
In January 2016, she confirmed her engagement, and on 14 March 2022, the couple tied the knot in a Goan Christian ceremony.
Early Life & Education:
Shama Sikander was born on 4 August 1981 in Makrana, Rajasthan, India. She belongs to a Muslim family and has three siblings: two brothers, Khalid and Rizwan Sikander, and a sister, Salma Sikander.
Her father, Sikander Gesawat, was a marble supplier and her mother, Gulshan, was a homemaker. Shama faced many hardships and struggles in her childhood due to her family’s financial condition.
She attended nine different schools and had to work as a child artist to support her family.
She moved to Mumbai with her family when she was nine years old and pursued her graduation from Roshan Taneja School of Acting in 1995.
Career Information:
| Occupation | Actress, Producer |
| Years Active | 1998–present |
| Upcoming Films | Not Known |
Shama Sikander started her career as a model when she was 16 years old.
She appeared in several print and television advertisements for brands like Clean & Clear, Ponds, and Shoppers Stop.
She made her film debut with a small role in Prem Aggan (1998), followed by a supporting role in Mann (1999).
She got her breakthrough role as Pooja Mehta in Yeh Meri Life Hai, which made her a household name among the Indian audience.
She won several awards and nominations for her performance, including the Indian Television Academy Award for Best Actress – Jury. After Yeh Meri Life Hai, Shama Sikander appeared in several other TV shows, such as CID, Baal Veer, Seven, and Man Mein Hai Vishwas.
She also hosted the reality show Jet Set Go in 2006. She continued to act in films as well, such as Ansh: The Deadly Part (2002), Basti (2003), Dhoom Dadakka (2008), The Contract (2008), and Bypass Road (2019).
She also made her debut in the Telugu film industry with Ye Maya Chesave (2010).
Shama Sikander also explored the digital medium with web series and short films.
She played the lead role of Sonia in Maaya (2017), a web series that dealt with the theme of BDSM.
She received critical acclaim for her bold and nuanced portrayal of the character.
She also produced and acted in Ab Dil Ki Sunn (2018), a web series that focused on mental health issues.
She also starred in Sexaholic (2016), a short film that explored the concept of nymphomania.
Personal life:
Shama Sikander has also been vocal about her personal struggles with bipolar disorder and depression. She revealed that she attempted suicide in 2016 and underwent treatment for 18 months.
She has since recovered and become an advocate for mental health awareness. She has also spoken about her cosmetic surgeries and how they helped her boost her confidence.
Net worth and Income:
| Net Worth | Approx $1 million to $5 million |
| Salary | Not known |
| Sources of Income | Primary income from Films and Secondary income from Web series, Brands, ads, and Others |
As of 2023, Shama Sikander has a net worth of around $1 million. She earns her income from acting, modeling, endorsements, and production ventures.
Interesting facts and Trivia
- Shama Sikander was born and brought up in a middle-class muslim family in Makrana, Rajasthan.
- Shama Sikander was born in Makrana, Rajasthan, India. She was born to mother Gulshan and father Sikander Ali Gesawat.
- At the age of 9 her family moved to Mumbai, Maharashtra, where she lived together with her younger siblings, Khalid, Rizwan Sikander, and Salma (born 1991).
- Sikander has mentioned in interviews that her early years in Mumbai were extremely difficult, even commenting that at times “there was no food in the house to feed the family.”
- Having moved locations frequently, Sikander attended as many as nine schools in her early life in Makrana and in various parts of Greater Mumbai including Malad, Mumbra, Thane, and Andheri.
- Following her completion of the 10th grade, and passing the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education examination, Sikander enrolled in the Roshan Taneja School of Acting in Mumbai in 1995, graduating from the course a year later.
- She made her acting debut with the TV series “Yeh Meri Life Hai” in 2003 and gained popularity with her role as Pooja Mehta.
- Shama has also appeared in several Bollywood films, including “Mann” and “Ansh: The Deadly Part”.
- She took a break from acting in 2011 to pursue her studies in interior design and fashion.
- Shama Sikander is a trained Kathak dancer and has also learned belly dancing.
- In 2016, she appeared in the short film “Sexaholic” which was directed by Shailendra Singh and went extremely viral on the internet.
- Shama is an avid traveler and has traveled to several countries, including the United States, Europe, and Thailand.
- She has also been associated with various charitable causes and has worked for the welfare of animals and children.
- Shama Sikander is known for her fashion sense and has been featured in several fashion magazines.
- In 2021, she announced her own production house called “Shama Sikander Films” and is currently working on producing her first project.
