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Shalini Pandey, known for her impactful performances in Arjun Reddy and Maharaj, recently made headlines for revealing a troubling incident from the early days of her film career. In a candid interview with Filmi Gyaan, the actress spoke about how a film director entered her room without permission while she was changing clothes during a shoot.
"I Screamed Out of Instinct" — Shalini Shares Her Reaction
Shalini recalled the experience with emotion:
“I was doing a South film early in my career. One day, the director just walked into my van without knocking. I was changing. I screamed — it was instinctive. I was just 22 then, and I went completely mad.”
Despite feeling justified in her response, Shalini said others later told her she shouldn’t have reacted that way.
“But there has to be basic etiquette. Just because I’m new, doesn’t mean someone can enter without knocking. I had to protect myself, even if it made me look angry to others.”
Navigating the Industry as an Outsider
Shalini, who hails from a non-filmy background, emphasized how difficult it was to handle such situations in the absence of guidance or support.
“I left everything for this career. I had no one to turn to, no mentor. I was naive, but my boundaries were clear. I knew what I would not tolerate.”
"I Have Worked with Bad Men Too"
The actress didn’t shy away from acknowledging the challenges of working in the film industry:
“It’s not that I’ve only worked with good people. There were some very toxic individuals — on-screen, off-screen, and within the crew. One person was completely anarchic. But I stayed firm. You must draw the line.”
Learning Through Experience
Though she admits her early reactions were sometimes impulsive, Shalini said those experiences shaped her.
“At the time, I didn’t know how else to deal with things except by reacting. Now, I’ve learned to handle such situations with more clarity — without compromising on my values.”
Shalini Pandey’s courage in speaking up highlights the continued importance of respect, boundaries, and safety for women in the entertainment industry, particularly for those starting out.
