Actor Shalini Pandey reveals shocking incident with South director: 'He entered my van while I was changing'

Bollywood actress Shalini Pandey recently revealed a disturbing experience from early in her career, where a South Indian director entered her van without knocking while she was changing.

In a candid interview with Filmygyan, she discussed how this incident shaped her approach to setting firm boundaries in the industry.

"I drew boundaries early in my career to protect myself," Pandey shared. She acknowledged working with many wonderful people but also encountering "horrid men" and sexism prevalent both on and off-screen, including within film crews. "I have faced the most chauvinistic men. That’s also the reality," she stated.

Reflecting on her journey without industry connections, Pandey said, "I didn't have anyone to guide me. I had to figure it out on my own." Despite her initial naivety, she was resolute about her limits. "I had hard boundaries. Like, I would snap," she recalled.

The van incident

Pandey recounted the shocking van incident, "Very early in my career, I was doing a South film. The director walked into my van while I was changing—without knocking. I was just 22, and people around me would say, 'Be sweet, don’t rub people the wrong way, or you won’t get films.' But my first reaction was instinctive—I yelled. I lost my temper completely."

Despite some people suggesting she shouldn't have reacted so strongly, Pandey stood firm. "There has to be basic manners. Just because I’m new, you can’t just enter without knocking. You cannot do that to me," she asserted.

Challenging situations

Over time, Pandey has learned to handle such situations with more finesse. "I realised how to navigate these things rather than just snap at people," she explained.

Current projects

Shalini Pandey was last seen in Maharaj alongside Junaid Khan, Aamir Khan’s son. She is now gearing up for Idly Kadai, directed by Dhanush.

Additionally, she has joined the cast of Zee Studios’ upcoming film Rahu Ketu, starring Pulkit Samrat and Varun Sharma. Billed as a thrilling mix of laughter, fantasy, and adventure, the film promises an engaging cinematic experience.