Preeti Jhangiani reveals she received backlash for a rain dance in film: ‘Audience totally rejected it, saw me only as a simple sweet girl’

Her character, that of the wife of the superstar, supports him in public but suffers in silence in her home. Elaborating on her part, the actor said that while she hasn’t met anyone like her personally, being in the industry for long helped her get into the skin of the character. “I have known actors, and stars closely and I could feel how their family would have reacted to such situations. Many have seen low time and bad publicity and the family actually has to go through a lot but they need to put up a strong united front. The same has been shown in Kafas where we see what choice the family has other than this,” Preeti shared, adding that with paps and media around, there is always pressure on celebrities now to turn up happy and smiling, even when they might be having a bad day.

Discussing her roller-coaster journey as an actor, Preeti shared that sometimes she wishes that OTT happened much earlier as it gives artists, of all ages, a chance to play strong parts. “However, I also believe that now is as good as any time. There is a lot of good stuff happening, and you will see a lot more of me in the coming days,” she said. Reflecting on what kept her away from the screen, the actor reasoned, “lack of good offers”.

“I was offered a lot of TV, even reality shows but I didn’t want to do it. If just earning money was my goal, I would have done it. But acting is a passion. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with television but it’s a long commitment. With two children and a company to also run, it wouldn’t have been possible for me,” she added.

Apart from a lack of good offers, Preeti said that she was also a victim of stereotyping. She shared how the audience ‘totally rejected’ her when she tried to do something different. Without naming the film, the actor said, “I was stereotyped and looked at as the simple sweet girl. I remember I had a rain dance sequence in a film and I got so much backlash for that. I mean there are actors who have done so much worse. I just couldn’t understand what and why it happened, but that’s how it is. However, I must add that it also depends on the film and its direction. If the film is right, the role will look right.”

Opening up about entrepreneurship, the actor said that it wasn’t a definite plan but she and husband, actor Parvin Dabbas wanted to do something different. She shared that they were juggling their acting careers and started production, starting with sports leagues and fitness shows. She said the move to branch out was very natural. Parents to two sons, Preeti also confessed that their kids do not watch much of their work. “For them, we are just people who act. They are not so bothered or affected, and we too do not encourage or push them towards it.”

Also starring Mona Singh, Sharman Joshi and Vivan Bhatena, Kafas is streaming on SonyLIV.