Sasha Bhasin on Her Roles in 'XO, Kitty' and 'The Pitt': "Living Every Dream Moment"
Sasha Bhasin has experienced quite an eventful year so far.
The emerging actress became part of the ensemble for Netflix's To All The Boys spinoff dramedy XO, Kitty Earlier this year, portraying Praveena. The character was a fresh romantic interest for the main character, portrayed by Anna Cathcart.
"Once I arrived at [set on XO, Kitty ", I felt at ease, and I believe Praveena felt the same way," Bhasin shares. The Hollywood Reporter Of her experience on the young adult series, which has just been renewed for a third season, she said, "Although she is relatively new, she felt at ease within the environment she was working in."
Bhasin has also become part of Max's medical drama series. The Pitt As Nandi, an influencer and patient, she remarks, "I am truly savoring this moment and simply existing in the present, right here and right now."
Below, Bhasin speaks with THR Regarding her most recent performances, the "stress of acting" and what she plans to take on next.
Your character in XO, Kitty What aspect of the character drew you to the role? It seems like it added an exciting element to the ensemble.
Clearly, it’s quite anxiety-inducing to become part of a series as prestigious as this one for its second season. This marks my initial involvement in a project of such magnitude, getting airlifted to Korea with an immensely popular Netflix show. The daunting aspect was stepping into these shoes; however, upon arriving and meeting the rest of the ensemble, I instantly felt at ease. There exists between us actors a wonderful chemistry—a camaraderie akin to what unfolds on screen. In essence, it truly feels like a close-knit circle of friends.
How was your experience working in Seoul and being based there on location?
Man, it was incredible. Up until now, it’s the most awesome thing I’ve experienced in my entire life—just getting airlifted into the heart of things. Although I’m from India, I have never visited East Asia; actually, I was born in India but have not returned since then. This whole adventure felt like a dream. The idea of spending over two months in Seoul seemed surreal—it turned out to be some of the best times of my life, immersing myself in Korean culture, savoring the cuisine, enjoying karaoke, and meeting wonderful locals. It truly was an amazing journey.
On XO, Kitty , despite having several new cast members join for season two, you're still considered the newcomer. Does this make your character’s fresh perspective more impactful since they too are newly introduced to the series?
It certainly had some similarities because I’m stepping into this group with highly experienced professionals. Anna Cathcart has been active for quite some time now. The rest of the cast members also bring extensive experience to the table. This resemblance was evident; however, as soon as I arrived, I felt at ease, just like Praveena seemed to be. Although she’s relatively new, she appeared very comfortable within her role.
What were your thoughts on portraying Praveena, considering the likely enthusiastic response from fans?
Everything Kitty gets involved in tends to turn into chaos, but one aspect I find particularly touching is how their relationship unfolds as both navigate queerness. This portrayal feels incredibly poignant during adolescence—when you’re still trying to figure everything out in high school—and captures the essence beautifully. The series excels at conveying that life isn’t static; we constantly evolve and learn more about ourselves along the way. In terms of character dynamics, Praveena appears quite assured with her sexuality, which serves as an inspiration for someone so young. Her confidence stands out, whereas Kitty is still exploring different facets of who she might become. Their friendship showcases mutual growth and support—an ideal scenario anyone could hope for. Having friends like them seems truly wonderful.
How well acquainted were you with the films and even XO, Kitty when you joined?
I really enjoyed them. I've watched every movie. I saw the initial episodes of XO, Kitty, and after getting called for an audition, I thought, “Wow.” Honestly speaking, when I got the audition notice, I never imagined myself being part of one of Netflix’s most significant productions. So, I decided to take it as it comes and see where things lead. The whole experience seemed to progress positively. When I met Anna for the chemistry reading—since the audition involved recording a video followed by another session with the showrunner and casting director—I started feeling something special. Right after that chemistry test, deep down inside, I wondered if this could mean traveling to Korea. There was definitely some excitement building up within me.
What do you expect will be the response to season two? XO, Kitty , both for you as an actor and for your character, but also in general?
If someone watches the whole series, I hope they realize that they’re not alone—that we all deal with chaos and our own humanity. There’s such diversity in who attracts us and who doesn’t. Remember, nobody has it completely figured out; everyone is grappling with numerous challenges constantly. Truthfully, my main wish is for this to bring immense happiness. It was actually this pursuit of joy that initially attracted me. XO, Kitty When I first watched it, I wasn’t aware of this audition yet. Throughout the entire viewing, I had a smile on my face. The show is incredibly charming and entertaining; it’s also quite hilarious. Whenever you switch it on following a taxing day, it effortlessly transports you into another realm.
I hope viewers also get swept away by the beauty of Seoul. It’s simply mesmerizing to watch. How does anyone manage to stay so composed and serene consistently? With regard to Praveena, my wish is for Indian girls and South Asian youth tuning in...Praveena identifies as queer and she’s South Asian, yet what resonates deeply with me is that being both isn’t central to her identity. Instead, she comes across as merely a student dealing with everyday life—someone who coincidentally happens to be Indian and queer—and this aspect doesn’t overshadow everything else about her. There's no forced agenda; they aren't boxing her in or elevating her status unnecessarily. She just exists naturally. My genuine desire is for younger South Asians and children from various backgrounds to see themselves represented here without feeling out of place. They might react saying, “Wow, neat. That feels ordinary and perfectly okay.” This natural portrayal is something I truly appreciate regarding Praveena.
Is it weighing heavier on your mind now that you know this?
Honestly, this fills me with hope. I'm truly optimistic that other TV series and films will follow their example. XO, Kitty The way the LGBTQ+ community and people of color are portrayed as an integral part of everyday life feels very natural. There’s nothing contrived about their presence; it doesn’t seem artificially included. The reception won’t be pressured since I believe audiences will embrace it positively—especially me, as someone who watched the series with appreciation. It made me reflect, wishing for such representation during my younger years. Overall, it all seems quite straightforward. XO, Kitty We’ve done this step. What’s next? Now, everyone, let’s add two more perspectives along these lines. Continue broadening our narratives about LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color. In past times, media often felt somewhat artificial whenever featuring a character who identified as part of the queer community. Just the other day, I revisited "Friends," and noticed how lacking it was in terms of diversity and representation. When there were queer characters, their presence seemed trivialized, turning into punchlines and stereotypes. So, I’m incredibly thankful for today’s world, where such tales are crafted thoughtfully by those who truly understand them. This authenticity makes all the difference; everything feels natural rather than contrived.
You find yourself at an intriguing juncture in your professional journey. What’s going through your mind as you stand on the brink of potentially entering the next phase of your career?
So now there’s this pressure. It’s simply the anxiety that comes with being an actor and taking on such a significant role. O, Kitty, and I simply finished talking on The Pitt It was my inaugural visit to Los Angeles, period, and I had a movie project lined up. Currently, there’s a whirlwind of activity around me, and I believe what I’m involved with is helping to alleviate the anxiety of “This might turn out to be your final gig, and you’ll be out of work forever.” Since then, I’ve experienced significant personal growth as a performer. Brave the Dark and then X O, Kitty and then The Pitt. It feels like I’m eager for more now. I desire to continue working, bringing joy to others through entertainment and portraying characters that resonate with societal issues, particularly those relevant to our current world. Being an Indian woman allows me to fulfill a dream I once had because growing up, I didn’t see many South Asian children on television nor did I witness authentic representations of queerness or relatable narratives. Therefore, I am motivated to persist and ensure that my work honors everyone out there who can relate to me.
What types of roles are you envisioning for yourself? What are you longing to do?
I just watched Maria With Angelina Jolie, she’s the inspiration behind my decision to become an actor, and discussing her always brings up strong emotions for me. Her ability to shift from being versatile and rebellious to embodying such grace is truly awe-inspiring. The characters I aspire to portray, I dream of bringing to life. Even someone like Mia Goth captivates me. X Trilogy. I'm a huge fan of thriller novels. Among all genres, scary movies are definitely my top choice. Hereditary I've got A24 on my vision board. Those intensely frightening and eerie projects truly captivate me, and I genuinely aspire for those to be part of my upcoming endeavors. I am actively working towards this goal. My approach involves crafting distinctive characters since character development is fundamental to everything I do. Even when auditions aren’t rolling in, I dedicate time to experimenting with various vocal tones, attire choices, and walking styles to fully develop these personas. This preparation ensures that once an opportunity arises, typically within just one or two days, I’m ready to deliver a polished performance promptly.
I realized before XO, Kitty, Since Praveena had been fully developed prior to my audition, my role as an actor—which is incredibly enjoyable—is simply about pretending. It’s all about using imagination within the confines of my space; whenever I come across something interesting, I jot it down. Keeping track of these moments helps me build a repertoire for when the actual auditions occur.
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