October 23, 2026 is a major date in Shriyam Bhagnani’s career.
Sumo Didi, her first lead feature, is now streaming on ZEE5. Shriyam plays Hetal Dave, India’s first professional female sumo wrestler, in a sports biopic directed by Jayant Rohatgi. ZEE5 confirms the October 23 digital release and lists Chaitanya Sharma, Anubha Fatehpura, Nitesh Pandey and Raghav Dhir alongside her.
But calling Sumo Didi a completely new 2026 film misses an unusual part of its journey.
The movie actually had its world premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival on October 27, 2023, before travelling to the Palm Springs International Film Festival in 2024. It has taken nearly three years to reach a mainstream Indian streaming audience.
That makes Sumo Didi more than Shriyam’s latest release.
Read also: Taniya Chatterjee Web Series List and Updates
It is a role she physically prepared for years ago that is only now reaching a much larger audience.
Who Is Shriyam Bhagnani?
Shriyam Bhagnani is an Indian actress known for City of Dreams, Baaghi 2, Aap Jaisa Koi and Sumo Didi.
She trained at the Barry John Acting Studio and earned a diploma before taking jobs behind the camera in production, editing and assistant-direction work to better understand filmmaking.
Her route into acting was not originally built around sport.
In an earlier interview, Shriyam said that as a child she wanted to become a tennis player, but participating in a college play changed the direction of her career.
So describing her as a “trained athlete” would be slightly misleading.
She had an early interest in sport and later underwent extensive athletic preparation for Sumo Didi, but her professional career developed around acting and filmmaking.
Shriyam Bhagnani Movies and Web Series
| Year | Project | Role | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 streaming release | Sumo Didi | Hetal Dave | Sports biopic |
| 2025 | Aap Jaisa Koi | Nisha | Netflix film |
| 2025 | Glazed | Actress | Short film |
| 2021-2023 | City of Dreams | Tanya Mehta | Web series |
| 2018 | Batti Gul Meter Chalu | Baby | Hindi film |
| 2018 | Baaghi 2 | Simi | Hindi film |
IMDb currently credits Shriyam as Tanya Mehta across 12 episodes of City of Dreams between 2021 and 2023 and as Nisha in the 2025 Netflix film Aap Jaisa Koi.
That 2025 film is missing from many biographies written before Sumo Didi’s ZEE5 release.
Sumo Didi Is Shriyam Bhagnani’s First Lead Film
Sumo Didi is the biggest acting responsibility Shriyam has taken on so far.
She plays Hetal Dave, whose real-life journey took her from Mumbai to international sumo competitions despite India having almost no established infrastructure for women in the sport.
Recent promotional material for the ZEE5 release describes the film as Shriyam’s first lead outing.
The supporting cast includes:
Chaitanya Sharma
Anubha Fatehpura
Nitesh Pandey
Raghav Dhir
Meenal Kapoor
The film was produced by Jio Studios, Fresh Lime Films and MA+TH Entertainment Networks and was shot across Mumbai, Kolkata and Japan.
The Real Story Behind Sumo Didi
Hetal Dave is widely recognised as India’s first female professional sumo wrestler.
She reached the World Sumo Championships in Estonia in 2008 after struggling to find financial support for the trip. ThePrint reported in October 2026 that her father was even prepared to sell jewellery saved for her wedding if sponsorship could not be arranged.
Hetal eventually found a sponsor and competed internationally.
Her achievements led to recognition in the Limca Book of Records as India’s first woman to represent the country at an international sumo event.
She later represented India in competitions in countries including Poland, Finland and Taiwan.
That history gives Sumo Didi a different foundation from a fictional sports drama.
The central challenge was not simply winning matches.
Hetal first had to build a career in a sport that barely existed for Indian women.
Shriyam Bhagnani Gained 14 Kg for Sumo Didi
The physical transformation in Sumo Didi was real.
Trainer Sahil Rasheed told Mid-day that Shriyam weighed about 83 kg when he began working with her.
The target was 97 kg.
That meant gaining approximately 14 kg while also changing her body composition so she could move like an athlete rather than simply look heavier.
The preparation focused on:
strength
reflexes
flexibility
grip strength
sumo-specific movement
lower-body mobility
injury prevention
Rasheed explained that a sumo round can end within seconds, meaning Shriyam needed explosive strength rather than simply size.
She Was Eating Around 2,500 Calories a Day
Her diet was designed to maintain the body mass required for Hetal while supporting demanding physical training.
Mid-day reported that Shriyam was consuming roughly 2,500 calories per day.
The plan was not simply to eat calorie-dense food.
Protein intake and recovery were important because she still had to perform physically intensive wrestling movements at 97 kg.
Her trainer even incorporated unusual exercises.
For grip strength, she trained with empty gas cylinders.
For mobility, she performed movements such as sweeping the floor while holding a deep squat.
Those details make the transformation much more interesting than simply writing:
“Shriyam gained 14 kg for the movie.”
She had to learn how to use the new body athletically.
The Training Lasted Around 9 to 10 Months
Early festival interviews described Shriyam as being put through roughly nine months of preparation.
At the Tokyo International Film Festival, producer Arunava Joy Sengupta explained that multiple actresses had been considered and trained before Shriyam was selected because of her commitment.
In a new October 21, 2026 interview, Shriyam described the process as approximately 10 months of preparation with Hetal Dave.
She said the challenge was trying to reproduce in months the strength, posture and physical instincts that a real wrestler develops over many years.
So the safest description is:
Shriyam trained for roughly nine to ten months for Sumo Didi.
Hetal Dave Personally Trained Shriyam
The real Hetal Dave was involved in preparing Shriyam for the role.
She taught her sumo posture, the characteristic squat, how wrestlers enter the ring and how to maintain visual focus when facing a larger opponent.
The Tokyo festival team also confirmed that Hetal helped Shriyam understand the posture, fitness and diet required for a sumo wrestler.
Recent reporting says the preparation included both sumo and judo training.
That makes the performance more than a cosmetic transformation.
Shriyam had to learn enough of the sport’s mechanics for the wrestling scenes to look believable.
She Had Already Experienced Extreme Weight Changes Before Sumo Didi
There is another important piece of context behind the transformation.
Sumo Didi was not the first time Shriyam had changed her body dramatically for a project.
She previously told Vice that she lost around 25 kg for a movie that was eventually shelved.
She then gained around 20 kg for another project that was also shelved.
Shriyam said repeated body changes affected both her physical and mental health and left her feeling as though her body was outside her control.
That makes her willingness to transform again for Sumo Didi more significant.
However, I would avoid calling her a “method actor” unless Shriyam herself uses that description.
Physical transformation does not automatically mean method acting.
Sumo Didi Is New on ZEE5 – But the Film Is Actually From 2023
This is probably the most useful fact for a 2026 article.
Sumo Didi was completed years before its ZEE5 premiere.
The film had its world premiere in the Asian Future competition section of the 36th Tokyo International Film Festival on October 27, 2023.
The Tokyo festival officially lists it as a 2023 film.
Palm Springs then screened Sumo Didi in January 2024 as part of its World Cinema Now section, where it received a North American premiere.
The film also later appeared at other festival screenings before finally receiving its wider streaming launch.
So the proper timeline is:
2022 – production and Japan schedule reported
2023 – world premiere at Tokyo International Film Festival
2024 – Palm Springs International Film Festival
2026 – mainstream ZEE5 streaming release
That delayed journey itself makes Sumo Didi unusual.
City of Dreams Was Shriyam’s Major OTT Breakthrough
Before Sumo Didi, Shriyam’s most important performance was Tanya Mehta in City of Dreams.
She joined the Nagesh Kukunoor political drama in Season 2.
IMDb now credits her as Tanya across 12 episodes between 2021 and 2023.
Shriyam has said she went through multiple rounds of auditions before landing the role.
She first auditioned through casting director Shruti Mahajan’s team and was eventually selected after meeting Kukunoor and the production team.
Interestingly, Tanya required another physical transformation.
Shriyam said she was asked to gain roughly 10-15 kg because Kukunoor had a specific appearance in mind for the character.
City of Dreams Earned Her a Filmfare OTT Nomination
The performance also gave Shriyam one of her earliest major industry recognitions.
She received a Filmfare OTT Awards 2021 nomination in the Best Supporting Actor – Female category for Tanya Mehta.
That means the original article is correct to highlight City of Dreams as a major turning point.
But the role did not end with Season 2.
Current credits show Tanya continuing into the wider 2021-2023 run of the series.
Aap Jaisa Koi Is an Important Missing 2025 Credit
Between City of Dreams and the public streaming release of Sumo Didi, Shriyam also appeared in Aap Jaisa Koi.
The Netflix romantic drama stars R. Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh.
Netflix’s official cast list includes Shriyam Bhagnani, while IMDb identifies her character as Nisha.
The film premiered on Netflix in July 2025 and is still streaming there in India as of October 23, 2026.
For an updated Shriyam Bhagnani filmography, this title should not be left out.
Baaghi 2 Was Her First Major Film Credit
Shriyam appeared in Baaghi 2 in 2018.
She plays Simi in the Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani action film.
That same year, she also appeared in Batti Gul Meter Chalu.
Current credits list her character there as Baby.
These were relatively small roles, so calling Baaghi 2 a major acting breakthrough would exaggerate its importance.
It is more accurate to call these early supporting credits that gave her on-set experience before City of Dreams provided a more substantial role.
Shriyam Worked Behind the Camera Before Establishing Herself as an Actress
One of the more interesting aspects of Shriyam’s career is that she deliberately spent time learning filmmaking away from the camera.
After training at Barry John Acting Studio, she worked in production and editing and assisted directors.
That does not automatically make her a better actor, but it gives her a wider technical understanding of how a production is assembled.
It also helps explain why her career did not follow the conventional route expected from someone connected with an established film family.
Is Shriyam Bhagnani Related to Jackky Bhagnani?
Yes.
Shriyam’s father is Deepak Bhagnani, the brother of producer Vashu Bhagnani.
That makes Vashu her uncle and Jackky Bhagnani her cousin.
Her family connection is real.
But Shriyam has repeatedly said she wanted to build an acting career through auditions rather than rely on those relationships.
In a 2021 interview, she said she had even auditioned for films associated with Vashu Bhagnani and failed to get selected.
That is a more useful way to describe the family connection than simply branding her an “industry kid.”
Sumo Didi Is Already Getting Its First Public Reviews
With the ZEE5 release on October 23, reviews have begun appearing.
The Times of India’s opening review gave Sumo Didi 3.5 out of 5 and described it as a sports drama focused on body shaming, social pressure and Hetal’s struggle for recognition.
The film’s long festival history also means it was screened for audiences well before today’s digital release.
That is another reason not to write that critics are only now seeing the movie for the first time.
Where to Watch Sumo Didi
Sumo Didi is streaming on ZEE5 from October 23, 2026.
ZEE5 lists it as a Hindi sports-biographical drama starring Shriyam Bhagnani alongside Chaitanya Sharma, Anubha Fatehpura, Nitesh Pandey and Raghav Dhir.
The ZEE5 listings currently show slightly inconsistent runtime metadata between language versions, so I would avoid publishing an exact runtime unless the platform standardises it.
Festival listings put the film at approximately 118 minutes.
What Most Shriyam Bhagnani Articles Get Wrong
Sumo Didi was first released in 2026.
Not exactly. October 23, 2026 is its mainstream ZEE5 streaming release. The film premiered at Tokyo in October 2023.
Shriyam gained 14 kg simply to look heavier.
Incomplete. She went from around 83 kg to 97 kg while also building muscle, reflexes, mobility and sport-specific strength.
Shriyam is a professional or trained tennis player.
Too strong. She has said that she wanted to become a tennis player as a child.
Sumo Didi was her first acting role.
Incorrect. Her earlier credits include Baaghi 2, Batti Gul Meter Chalu and City of Dreams.
City of Dreams Season 2 is her only major OTT role.
Outdated. She continued as Tanya Mehta across 12 episodes through 2023 and later appeared in Netflix’s Aap Jaisa Koi.
Shriyam is a method actor.
That description is not clearly supported by the interviews checked. Extensive physical transformation should not automatically be labelled method acting.
She used her family connections to get City of Dreams.
Her own account says she went through several rounds of auditions before being selected.
Why Sumo Didi Is More Interesting Than a Standard Transformation Story
The easiest headline is:
“Shriyam Bhagnani gained 14 kg for a movie.”
But that leaves out the more interesting part.
She did not just have to become bigger.
She had to become athletic at that size.
She had to move quickly.
She had to squat deeply.
She had to develop grip strength.
She had to understand how a sumo wrestler looks at an opponent before a fight.
And she had to do it in less than a year while playing a woman who had spent years building those skills.
That is why 97 kg is not the most important number in this story.
The more important number may be 10 months.
That was roughly how long Shriyam had to create a believable version of the strength Hetal Dave had spent years developing.
You Should Read This
There is an unusual irony surrounding Sumo Didi.
Hetal Dave spent years struggling to get enough attention and financial support for a sport almost nobody in India associated with women.
Then a movie about her life was made.
That movie premiered at one of Asia’s best-known film festivals in 2023.
It travelled internationally.
And Indian streaming audiences still had to wait until October 23, 2026 to watch it easily at home.
For Shriyam Bhagnani, that long wait also changes how we should look at the role.
Sumo Didi was filmed before Aap Jaisa Koi reached Netflix and before many viewers discovering her today knew her name.
Yet it demanded the biggest physical commitment of her career.
She went from 83 kg to 97 kg.
She trained with the real Hetal Dave.
She learned judo and sumo fundamentals.
And she maintained a body capable of performing wrestling movements rather than merely looking the part.
So the strongest story around Shriyam in 2026 is not simply:
“Jackky Bhagnani’s cousin transforms for a film.”
It is that a supporting actor who spent years auditioning, working behind the camera and taking smaller roles finally has a lead performance reaching a mainstream audience.
Three years after the film first premiered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shriyam Bhagnani?
Shriyam Bhagnani is an Indian actress known for City of Dreams, Baaghi 2, Aap Jaisa Koi and Sumo Didi. She trained at Barry John Acting Studio before working in production, editing and assisting directors.
Where can I watch Sumo Didi?
Sumo Didi is streaming on ZEE5 from October 23, 2026.
Who does Shriyam Bhagnani play in Sumo Didi?
She plays Hetal Dave, India’s first professional female sumo wrestler.
How much weight did Shriyam Bhagnani gain for Sumo Didi?
She gained approximately 14 kg, going from around 83 kg to 97 kg.
How long did Shriyam train for Sumo Didi?
Reports describe roughly nine to ten months of training. Shriyam’s latest interview refers to about 10 months of preparation.
Did Hetal Dave train Shriyam Bhagnani?
Yes. Hetal helped teach her sumo posture, movement, ring behaviour and other details needed for the role.
Was Sumo Didi filmed in Japan?
Yes. The film was shot across Japan, Kolkata and Mumbai.
When was Sumo Didi originally premiered?
It had its world premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival on October 27, 2023.
Is Shriyam Bhagnani related to Jackky Bhagnani?
Yes. Jackky Bhagnani is her cousin, while producer Vashu Bhagnani is her uncle.
Who does Shriyam Bhagnani play in City of Dreams?
She plays Tanya Mehta and is currently credited in 12 episodes between 2021 and 2023.
Was Shriyam Bhagnani nominated for a Filmfare OTT Award?
Yes. She received a 2021 Filmfare OTT nomination in the Best Supporting Actor – Female category for City of Dreams.
Is Shriyam Bhagnani in Aap Jaisa Koi?
Yes. She plays Nisha in the 2025 Netflix film starring R. Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh.
What was Shriyam Bhagnani’s first movie?
Her earliest major credited film appearance is Baaghi 2 in 2018, where she plays Simi.