Mouni Roy says she has faced insult, was told she will never be able to act: ‘Someone said you don’t have what it takes to become Bollywood actor’

Mouni Roy will be next seen in the Disney Plus Hotstar series Showtime, co-starring Emraan Hashmi.

This is Mouni Roy's favourite Sri Lankan dish

Actor Mouni Roy has a confession: No one flirts with her. The actor says she is puzzled, but she has never really received any flirtatious text as she never finds herself at the receiving end of such attention.

The actor on Tuesday attended the trailer launch of her new series Showtime, backed by Karan Johar. At the event, she played a quick rapid fire game with the filmmaker, who asked her what is the flirtiest message she has ever received.

Also Read | Is Bollywood an unfair workplace? Emraan Hashmi answers biting question, says what it takes to be in it: ‘Hardships and heartaches…’

“No one really flirts with me. I don’t know why. Either they become my best friends or are very intimidated by me. I think I could be friend zoning them as well!” she said as Johar laughed.

Story continues below this ad

When the filmmaker followed it up and quizzed her if she agrees that true love doesn’t exist in the industry, the actor said that isn’t true. “No, I don’t agree with that. It exists in this world, no matter which industry you belong to. I am a part of this industry and I have found my true love,” Mouni, who has been married to Dubai-based businessman Suraj Nambiar since 2022, said.

At the event, the actor opened up working in the film industry and revealed how she has been subjected to extreme mean comments in her career. “I have heard insulting lines. I have been told that I would never make it to the industry, that I won’t be able to act. Someone told me, ‘You don’t have it what it takes to become a Bollywood actor.'”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Disney+ Hotstar (@disneyplushotstar)

Mouni, who garnered acclaim for her appearance in 2022 sci-fi film Brahmastra, said she definitely has been “typecast” in her career but is grateful to makers who have had the “vision to see me in different roles.”

“This may be a fair industry, but I truly believe it is a very difficult industry. Along with hard work, it comes with a lot of challenges. It throws you. There is a struggle that you cannot deny, there no shortcuts that you can take. Work begets work. When you are focused on your job, sooner or later you will land that next (big) role. That’s my mantra,” she added.

Showtime is created and written by Sumit Roy with Mihir Desai attached as a showrunner. The series is directed by Mihir Desai and Archit Kumar. The show also stars Emraan Hashmi, Rajeev Khandelwal, Naseeruddin Shah, Mahima Makwana and Shriya Saran in key roles. Showtime will stream on Disney Plus Hotstar from March 8.

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.