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- By Ridhi Suri
- Sat, 29 Jun 2024 09:29 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Shalini Pandey, currently celebrating the success of her recent film Maharaj, co-starring Junaid Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat, delved into a poignant aspect of the film. She discussed the challenging 'charan seva' rape scene, where her character Kishori is coerced into a sexual encounter with Jaideep Ahlawat's character, the Godman Maharaj. The actress revealed her initial anxiety while filming the scene. Reflecting on her character's journey, she admitted that upon first reading the script, she had reservations about Kishori's decisions, considering them foolish. However, going deeper into the character's mindset, she came to understand the conditioning that led Kishori to perceive her actions as acceptable in service to Maharaj.
Shalini told Bollywood Hungama, "When I actually did that scene with the Maharaj, the ‘charan seva’ scene… till the time I actually did it, I did not realise what impact it had on me because I did the scene and suddenly, I went out and I told my team I don’t want to be in a closed room, I need time, I need some fresh air, I am getting a little anxious."
Shalini Pandey elaborated that both her director Siddharth P Malhotra and co-actor Jaideep Ahlawat understood the emotional weight of the scene she portrayed. Reflecting on her character Kishori, she described her initially as naive and sweet. Initially skeptical about Kishori's decisions when reading the script, Shalini later empathized with her character, realizing she wasn't foolish but conditioned to believe in Maharaj's authority unquestioningly. She expressed how portraying such intense emotions in the role was deeply affecting, leading to a realization of Kishori's vulnerability and hope that she could understand the gravity of her circumstances.
About Maharaj
Maharaj delves into the historic Maharaj Libel Case of 1862, featuring Junaid Khan as the reformer and journalist Karsandas Mulji. The film centers on Mulji's pivotal role in exposing religious leader Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj, portrayed by Jaideep Ahlawat, in a significant legal confrontation. Despite its delayed release, the film has garnered acclaim from both audiences and critics for its portrayal of this landmark historical event.
