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‘Casting couch isn’t rape’

CAMP WARS have become very pronounced in Bollywood with the Salman Khan-SRK tiff.

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What’s your survival strategy?

I don’t belong to any camp. I could have achieved much more in a shorter period of time, had I been aligned. But then, there are chances of missing out on projects too.

Does Bollywood give the freedom to walk the middle path?

There are enough independent producers/directors with whom I work and who give me that space. Nobody forces you to join a camp. I don’t have any godfather in the industry. It’s been a long journey for me. Rather than regret, it’s been fun learning my way up.

Since filmstars are keen on hosting television shows these days, are you tempted to try your luck?

I don’t think I’m cut out for that.

Since you are juggling a career both in Mumbai and Kolkata, how do you plan your commitments?

No artiste is busy 365 days in a year. I choose the best of what I get. Besides, I’m a lazy girl with no career plans for myself. I coordinate my dates so that I don’t miss out on good offers. But sometimes, I still can’t adjust.

What’s that one quality that actor Riya has and you don’t?

Riya is very confident as an actor. In contrast, I sometimes get a little unsure and nervous. I rely completely on the director.

How have you grown as an actor?

I’m less inhibited and more receptive now. My best performances till date have been in Nishijapon, Chokher Bali and Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.

Few actors in Tollywood are comfortable doing roles that require them to expose.

It’s more to do with body types than with conservatism. In any case, I don’t think Kolkata girls are conservative in their approach. If I had a size zero figure, I’d wear a lot of stuff which, if I wear today, might look vulgar and silly.

Recently, there have been heated arguments over the casting couch.

It takes two hands to clap and one can’t blame any single person for it.

Moreover, there is no reason to underline the casting couch in the film industry since at the end of the day, it happens everywhere.

Casting couch isn’t rape and it’s all an exercise of free will.