In a recent interview, actress Shalini Pandey opened up about a disturbing incident early in her career, where a South Indian film director entered her van without knocking while she was changing.
Speaking candidly to Filmygyan, she shared how the director’s lack of manners made her uncomfortable, and how she quickly learned to set boundaries in an industry that can sometimes be difficult for newcomers.
"I drew boundaries early in my career to protect myself," Pandey explained, adding that while she had worked with some wonderful men in the industry, she had also encountered "horrid men." She pointed out that this included people both on-screen and off-screen, within the crew as well. "I have also faced the most chauvinistic men. That's also the reality," she admitted, highlighting the challenges she faced as a woman in the industry.
Reflecting on her journey as an outsider, Shalini admitted that she didn’t come from a film family and had no guidance when she first started. "I didn't have anyone to go back to, so I had to figure it out on my own," she said.
"Initially, I didn’t have an idea, but I’m glad I was like that. I was naive, but I had hard boundaries. Like, I would snap," she recalled.
Recounting the unsettling incident, she shared, "Very early in my career, I was doing a South film. The director walks into my van. He doesn’t knock, and I was changing. He just opened the door and entered."
Also Read: KL Rahul adorably talks about newborn daughter with Athiya Shetty, says "Obviously, I will say cute"
Pandey described her immediate reaction, saying, "I just yelled. I absolutely lost my shit. I was 22." While some people later told her she shouldn’t have yelled, she felt it was important to stand her ground.
"There has to be manners. Just because I am new, you cannot just enter without knocking. You cannot do that to me," she said, acknowledging that her response was driven by the need to protect herself.
As she matured in the industry, Pandey reflected on how her approach has evolved. "Later on, I realised how to manipulate such things rather than just snap at people," she explained. This experience, she says, shaped her approach to handling difficult situations in the future.
On the work front, Shalini Pandey, who was last seen in Maharaj, alongside Junaid Khan, Aamir Khan’s son, is currently preparing for the release of Idly Kadai, Dhanush's directorial venture.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
