Actor and filmmaker Akriti Singh is stepping into a new creative phase with her second feature film Skibidi, a comedy that she describes as fresh, unconventional and deeply rooted in the everyday chaos of Mumbai. The film, which has already sparked curiosity because of its unusual title, marks Akriti’s return to direction after her critically appreciated debut Toofan Mail.
Speaking in a telephonic interview with Bollywood Hungama, Akriti shared that the response since the announcement has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. “Especially since the name is so new and interesting, I’m getting a lot of enthusiasm and compliments from people. I think people are excited,” she said. The title, she noted, seems to resonate across age groups. “I told some children with whom I was shooting for Champak magazine that my new film is called Skibidi, and they were so happy. Even someone in his 40s told me his daughter keeps talking about Skibidi.”
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A name that arrived after the film
Interestingly, Skibidi wasn’t titled until after the film was shot. Akriti revealed that she completed the entire film without a name. “The film is very out of the box. It’s not a run-of-the-mill film. It’s an out-and-out comedy, something we have not seen in our recent past,” she explained. “Because the film is very fresh, it needed a fresh name. One day the word just came to me, and I knew—this is what the film should be called.”
While she is keeping plot details under wraps until the trailer release, she confirmed that comedy is the film’s backbone, and the title reflects its tone and energy.
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Mumbai as more than a backdrop
Set largely on the moving roads of Mumbai, Skibidi treats the city as a living, breathing character. “Skibidi could not have happened in any other city except Mumbai,” Akriti said. “The kind of drama that happens on Mumbai’s roads, the characters you meet—traffic jams, taxi drivers, autowalas, bus conductors—these people and situations create the milieu of the film.”
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Rather than focusing on landmarks, the film draws from daily urban experiences. “It’s more about our traffic situation and our roads that the film incorporates into the story,” she added.
Balancing acting and directing
Akriti continues her practice of directing herself in Skibidi, a process she says now comes naturally to her. Drawing a simple analogy, she explained, “When you study maths, you get good at physics. Similarly, doing both roles helps me.” Her years of theatre experience, where she has often directed herself alongside other actors, have played a crucial role. “When I have complete power and ownership of the project, it becomes easier.”
Addressing the perception around actors turning directors, Akriti firmly believes actors make strong storytellers. “Actors are naturally interested in people. That translates into storytelling,” she said, citing names like Jodie Foster, Greta Gerwig and Charlie Chaplin. With evolving technology, she feels the divide between roles has blurred. “Anyone can pick up a phone and tell a story now.”
Architecture, observation and storytelling
A trained architect, Akriti credits her academic background for shaping her creative instincts. “Architecture taught me to observe,” she said. “Earlier, I would look at the details of buildings. Now, I look at the details in humans—their body language, how they talk, why they are the way they are.” She added that architecture enhanced her visual sensibility, which feeds directly into her storytelling and filmmaking.
Her theatre journey, too, continues to influence her approach. “Theatre is a lot of practice. You rehearse, revisit, rethink,” she explained. The ephemeral nature of theatre has also shifted her outlook on creativity. “I don’t stress too much anymore. Creating something is a joy in itself.”
Guarding her creative voice
Having worked across independent projects and larger productions, Akriti is clear about protecting her storytelling voice. “I’m very guarded about my voice as a storyteller. I would never work with someone who doesn’t understand what I am making or saying. The budget wouldn’t matter for that,” she said candidly.
Audiences also remember her warmly from Broken But Beautiful, where she played Agni. Reflecting on the show’s impact, Akriti credited strong writing and a committed team. “Everyone associated with the project had their heart in the right place,” she said, adding that she would love to return if another season materialises.
What’s next
Currently, Akriti is fully focused on Skibidi, which is in post-production. The film is expected to release in the first quarter of next year, though dates are yet to be locked. After that, she plans to move into a murder mystery, inspired by her recent deep dive into Agatha Christie’s novels.
On advice for young women navigating multiple creative roles, Akriti kept it simple. “Women don’t need anybody’s advice. They are smart, intelligent people. Just be very un-scared. Don’t fear anything and do your thing.”
With Skibidi, Akriti Singh appears ready to bring a distinctly Mumbai-flavoured, character-driven comedy to the screen—one that reflects her journey across acting, theatre, architecture and independent filmmaking.
Also Read: Akriti Singh announces SKIBIDI: A fresh, offbeat Hindi comedy rooted in Mumbai’s everyday madness
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