Dabba Cartel’s Shalini Pandey recalls when director entered her van without knocking while she was changing; ‘I absolutely lost my sh*t’

Actress Shalini Pandey is making a mark with her roles in notable streaming series such as Maharaj and Dabba Cartel, to name a few. More recently, she revealed an unsettling event from the early days of her career when a South filmmaker unexpectedly entered her van while she was getting dressed.

In a recent chat, Shalini Pandey stressed the importance of setting boundaries when discussing her encounters with both respectful and difficult men – whether it be on set, off-screen, or among colleagues. She mused about authenticity as she spoke candidly about dealing with chauvinistic individuals within the film industry.

In her own words, the actress from The Dabba Cartel shared that she felt entirely alienated and lacked anyone to rely on in similar circumstances. Reflecting now, she’s grateful for this outsider status as it made her innocent and firm-minded, with clear boundaries. She even confessed that she would react sharply under stress.

In simpler terms, she made her point clear by recounting an astonishing event from her past. Specifically, she mentioned an instance from early in her career when a South film director unexpectedly barged into her van while she was changing.

Initially, Shalini had only completed one film and was often advised to maintain a pleasant demeanor to avoid upsetting others, as they might not offer her more roles. But when confronted with the director’s inappropriate behavior, she chose to express her displeasure by shouting at him instead.

She remembered her initial response, stating, “As soon as he arrived, my mind didn’t pause for thought. It was an instinctive reaction that made me shout. I completely lost control. I was only 22. After he had gone, people advised me that ‘I shouldn’t have shouted’. However, there should be respect.”

In a straightforward manner, the actress portraying Maharaj expressed her convictions, stressing that they were a constant part of her journey. She admitted that others might perceive her as fiery, but she clarified that she needed to take specific actions to safeguard herself.

After some time, she figured out the knack of dealing with such matters instead of merely reacting angrily to people, as she put it.

Shalini Pandey was last seen in Netflix’s Dabba Cartel, led by Shabana Azmi. 

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2025-04-01 20:52