Laughter CLUB

What is Thank You all about?
It’s an amazing film and I’m thoroughly enjoying working with Anees Bazmee after No Entry. But I can’t talk about my character or reveal anything as yet.

What prompted you to do do Hello Darling,a film revolving around sexual harassment of women at work?
The idea was to do something different from what I’d done before. I’d never played a complete Sandra from Bandra and I also liked the light-hearted way in which director Manoj Tiwari handled a serious subject like sexual harassment.

Have you ever faced sexual harassment at work?
Yes,I did. It was way back,when I was studying medicine in Kolkata and had just started modelling. I was harassed in the modelling industry there.

How did you tackle it?
I was only 17 at that time and quite shattered about the whole thing. When some one made a pass at me or went beyond,I would cut off from everyone and hide myself in my PG accommodation and at times refuse assignments for months.

Were you sexually harassed when you joined the film industry?
Strangely,never! I know people talk about the casting-couch and all that but no one ever hit on me.

What do you think is the reason for that? I guess it has something to do with me coming across as a no-nonsense person. And then people also know me as this activist who holds morchas.

How would you handle sexual harassment at work today?
I’m a very upfront person and believe such things should be nipped in the bud. I would speak to the person directly without any frills or coyness. If that did not work,I would involve a third person.

For you what is the most exciting thing about being an actor?
Favourable reaction to my characters in films thrills me no end. Like people referring to me as Sanjana,my character in No Entry,even today. The satisfaction I get by this is more than that from huge box-office figures.

What next?
Chai Garam,Will You Marry Me,Run Bhola Run and of course Thank You – all comedies,of course!