1 day ago
37
Shalini Pandey has established herself in notable OTT projects such as '
Maharaj
' and '
Dabba Cartel
'. Recently, she revealed a disturbing experience from early in her career, where a South Indian filmmaker entered her van unexpectedly while she was changing.
Setting Boundaries in the Industry
In a recent conversation with FilmyGyan, Shalini highlighted the importance of setting boundaries as she recounted her experiences working with both admirable and difficult men in various roles—on-screen, off-screen, and within the crew. She reflected on the harsh realities of dealing with "chauvinistic men" in the industry. As an outsider without a support system, Shalini found these situations particularly challenging. However, she expressed gratitude for her initial innocence, which allowed her to establish "hard boundaries" early on. She admitted that she would often react strongly to protect herself, a trait she now appreciates in hindsight.
The Disturbing Incident
She shared a disturbing experience from her early career, recalling a time when she was working on a South Indian film. The director entered her van without knocking while she was changing. At that point, Shalini had only completed one film, and she was often advised to be pleasant and avoid offending others to secure future roles. Despite this advice, she reacted strongly to the director's inappropriate behavior by yelling at him.
Immediate Reaction
Pandey recounted her immediate response to the incident, saying, "As soon as he entered, I wasn't thinking; it was just a reaction, and I yelled. I was completely overwhelmed. I was 22." After the director left, people advised her against yelling, but she insisted that basic manners are essential. She acknowledged that her reaction might have portrayed her as an angry person, but she felt compelled to protect herself. Over time, Shalini learned to handle such situations more tactfully, noting, "Later on, I realized how to manipulate such things rather than just snap at people."
English (US)