IN CONVERSATION WITH SWAY BHATIA

interview by JANA LETONJA

Actress and professional dancer Sway Bhatia will star in the fourth installment of Disney’s hit music-fueled and monster-powered ‘ZOMBIES’ franchise, ‘ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires’, which is releasing on 10th July. She has previously starred on Disney’s ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ and HBO’s Emmy Award-winning series ‘Succession’.

We’ll be seeing you in ‘ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires’. Tell us about your character Vera. What drew you to her, and how did you prepare to bring her to life?

Vera is a sassy, spunky, rule-following vampire who loves the nightlife. What drew me to Vera was how she balances fierce loyalty with a no-nonsense approach. She has this unapologetic confidence that’s so fun to play. My prep for this was bringing out my sassy alter ego and not holding back on putting my vamp brothers in place.

This installment adds a lot of new characters and elements. How does ‘ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires’ differ from the earlier films in the franchise?

What made this installment feel different for me was the overall vibe on set and how grounded everything felt. We were filming in New Zealand with a crew that genuinely cared about the work. They weren’t just showing up, they were passionate and really wanted to make something special. Working with indie filmmakers brought a whole new energy. Everything was incredibly intentional, and it was clear that they were pouring their hearts into it. It still has that fun, high-stakes ‘ZOMBIES’ feel, but this one’s has a cooler, darker edge, and I think fans are going love that.


The movie features 9 original songs. As a professional dancer, how did you bring your own flair to the choreography in ZOMBIES 4?
I felt so lucky to learn from Draico, Teya, and Riley, our amazing choreographers and true mentors. Even as a professional, I was challenged in the best way. Dancing in full costume on sand dunes or in dense New Zealand forests pushed me to new levels. What made it even more special was weaving my character into every move. Every gesture had to say something about who Vera is. I was honored to be named dance captain, which gave me the chance to lead on and off camera. Malachi can tell you, I didn’t let anyone slack off after hours. Dancing was the first form of art I ever fell in love with, so getting to bring that part of myself into my very first film made the whole experience unforgettable.

What was your approach to blending acting with musical performance, especially in such a stylized, monster-powered world?

I definitely had an approach going in, but I learned so much from the OG cast. Watching how they seamlessly blended acting, dancing, and singing in such a heightened world really helped me shape my performance. My goal was to make Vera feel grounded and relatable even as a rule-following vampire in a monster-powered universe. I wanted her to feel real, even in the most over-the-top moments. It was about finding that balance between the fun, stylized world, and still giving the audience someone they could connect with.


What does it mean to you to be part of such a beloved Disney franchise that has a a powerful message of unity and acceptance?

As someone who’s always loved the ‘ZOMBIES’ franchise, it honestly means the world to be a part of it. Ten-year-old me spent hours dancing in the living room to ‘Flesh and Bone’, ‘Ain’t No Doubt About It’, and ‘BAMM’, so to now be on the other side of the screen feels surreal. What makes it even more special is knowing that kids, just like I was, will watch ‘ZOMBIES 4’ and see themselves represented, empowered, and accepted. That message of unity and celebrating differences isn’t just in the story, it’s something we really feel on set, too. Being part of that legacy is a dream come true.


You’ve had a recurring role in the Emmy-winning ‘Succession,’ playing Sophie Roy. What Was it like working alongside such a critically acclaimed cast, especially Jeremy Strong?

Jeremy belongs in a museum, he’s truly a work of art. Watching his method acting up close was unlike anything I’d ever seen. Just being on set with him taught me more than any book or acting class ever could. But beyond the talent, he’s also a really kind and generous person. He even wrote a college recommendation letter for me, which meant so much. Seeing him transform into Kendall on set and then getting to watch him live in ‘An Enemy of the People’ was like a masterclass. Being around someone operating at that level made me raise my own game in every way.

From ‘Succession’ to ‘The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers’ to ‘ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires’, you’ve taken on very different roles. How do you shift between such diverse Characters?

I love being challenged as an actor and stepping into entirely different worlds. Whether it’s the sharp, serious tone of ‘Succession’, the fun and heart in ‘The Mighty Ducks’, or the stylized, supernatural world of ‘ZOMBIES 4’, I try to find what grounds each character and what makes them human. It’s about being flexible, but also really specific with how I prepare. Every role teaches me something new, and I think that’s what keeps me so passionate about this craft.

You’ve trained in everything from ballet to Bollywood and hip-hop. How has that versatility shaped your performance style, and also acting?

Being versatile is one of the best superpowers you can have in this industry. I’ve trained in everything from ballet to Bollywood to hip-hop, and you never know when those skills will come in handy. For example, I never thought my figure skating training would play a role in ‘Mighty Ducks’, but it totally did. Having that range not only shapes my performance style, but also helps me approach acting with more creativity and confidence.

As a self-proclaimed fashionista, how would you describe your personal style? Do you have any go-to designers or must-have pieces?

Honestly, my personal style is constantly evolving, but I’m all about being comfy and trendy. Most of my closet contains pieces from Alice + Olivia, but having access to my mom’s closet gives me an unlimited gallery of clothes, both modern and smart. She keeps all her college clothes, so I get to mix in vintage classics with pieces that constantly reinvent modern trends. It’s like having a fashion treasure trove that means I don’t always have to run out and shop. Fashion, for me, is more than just clothes. It’s a way to express identity and creativity, and deliver a message without saying a word. I love exploring different looks from Off-White, Philipp Plein, Miu Miu, and Frame to Allsaints, and showing different sides of myself through what I wear.


Your career began when you were just a kid. Looking back, how do you think starting so young shaped your perspective on the industry?
Honestly, I know it sounds cliché, but I really feel like I was born ready for this industry. With my crazy, out-there personality, I’ve always wanted to be around people making art and creating moments that move people emotionally. As a certified art lover, even getting to play a small part in this huge but tight-knit industry means the world to me. Starting young gave me a chance to grow alongside the business, and I truly appreciate every opportunity.

What can you share with us about your upcoming projects, beyond ‘ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires’?

I’ve got some cool things in the making that I’m really proud of. Music, producing, and lots of storytelling at NYU. It feels like this next chapter is me really finding my voice, and I hope people see that. I can’t wait to share it and maybe inspire others like me, too.

CREDITS:
photography DISNEY/MAARTEN DE BOER