In exclusive chat with mid-day, Shalini Pandey opens up about leaving home to pursue acting, the overwhelming success of Arjun Reddy, her bond with Vijay Deverakonda and confronting sexism in the industry
Shalini Pandey
Actress Shalini Pandey made an impressive debut with Arjun Reddy and went on to establish herself as one of the most promising actresses in the industry. In recent times, she has been part of projects like Dabba Cartel, Rahu Ketu, Bandwaale, and several others. The actress resonated deeply with her character in Bandwaale, as she too had to fight her way into the industry. In a candid chat with mid-day, she reflected on the success of Arjun Reddy, her bond with Vijay Deverakonda, sexism in the industry, and much more.
Shalini Pandey on leaving home to pursue acting
The Maharaja actress hails from Jabalpur and had to fight against all odds to pursue her dream of acting. However, she has always believed in taking risks rather than being complacent. “I've always believed in taking risks. I do not like to be very comfortable, as I feel I don't grow,” shares the actress.
She further adds that she does not dwell on suffering but chooses to embrace whatever comes her way. “I'm also so rebellious that I don't care about what people are saying. For me, if I could shut out the noise from my father, then no one else matters. You struggle at every point. I don’t dwell on suffering or over-romanticise it.”
Shalini Pandey on Arjun Reddy’s success
When Arjun Reddy released in 2017, it didn’t just become a blockbuster — it turned into a cultural phenomenon that reshaped contemporary Telugu cinema. Reflecting on her decision to debut with the film, Shalini says, “We were very excited about the project we were making. I was genuinely very happy to be on that set and act. I was so immersed in it that I never thought about what it would become. So yes, it was extremely overwhelming. I did not know what to do with that love.”
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She adds, “We were all new, so we were just trying to make a good film and be as honest as we could with ourselves, putting our best foot forward. I don't think we were looking at it with a very big lens at that time. We were simply trying to put our heads down and do our work.”
The film, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, also starred Vijay Deverakonda in the lead role. Recalling her time on set, Shalini says, “The three of us would be very excited about the scenes. We would discuss them a lot beforehand. I think there was good camaraderie between all of us, and that shows in the film.”
Speaking about whether she is still in touch with the actor and filmmaker, she says, “We'll always be each other's well-wishers, I'm assuming — from my side and from theirs as well. Are we best friends? No. We all move on in life. I'm in a different phase of my life, and they must be in a different phase of theirs.”
Shalini Pandey on discrimination in the industry
After Arjun Reddy, Shalini says she was sometimes excluded from discussions on set and even typecast. When asked if sexism still exists, she replies, “That's always going to be there. It has existed forever. I make it a point to fight my own battles. I don't lower my opinions for anyone. There are certain things I don’t agree with, and I try to express them in a way that the other person understands where I'm coming from. But again, it's not my responsibility to make someone understand.”
Opening up about negativity and competitive mindsets, she reflects on how attempts to pull others down aren’t limited to the film industry but are a part of life itself. “If you're growing, anyone will try to pull you down. This has always been the way life is. It's not fair, but can you keep complaining about it?”
She emphasises that such behaviour often stems from personal insecurity rather than circumstances. “I feel that if you accept that this is how life is, you deal with it better. Anyone who tries to pull someone down is coming from their own insecurity. If you're not secure within yourself, that's when you do these things,” she concludes.
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