Shalini Pandey on playing a pregnant woman in her Bollywood debut Jayeshbhai Jordaar

Shalini Pandey proved her acting chops in Jayeshbhai Jordaar (2022), in which she co-starred opposite Ranveer Singh as a pregnant woman. The actress is delighted that critics praised her work in the film. She understands that as an outsider, she must grasp every chance if she is to achieve her goal of becoming “one of the country's best actors”!

Shalini recently revealed in an interview that she was unconcerned about playing a pregnant woman in her first Bollywood film. She said, “A lot of people have called my big-screen debut in Bollywood a bold choice because I’m pregnant in the film. It is true that I had to be a certain body type to look convincing as a pregnant woman. It is true that most would choose a glitzier debut and look their best. But I’m not one of them. I have always focused on doing roles that have something to say, something to do, or some impact to make. For me, the fact that my character is pregnant was not of any concern.”

As a complete outsider with no contacts in the industry, the young actress understands that her performances have to be her calling card. Pandey, who wowed audiences in her first South film, Arjun Reddy (2017), says, “I want to be known for my talent and not just how I look on screen or off it.”