Sanjana Sanghi: From an outsider’s perspective, I feel bad

Even as she is upbeat that Bollywood is finally making women-led movies, Sanjana admits she had to make peace with Dhak Dhak’s lack of promotions

In producer Taapsee Pannu’s living room, over a brief narration, Sanjana Sanghi found the film that is an extension of who she is as a person. To her, Dhak Dhak stands for a simple thought: Anything is possible. “I lived in a barsati in Delhi and led a sheltered life. But look how far I have come! Dhak Dhak is a story of path less travelled, and I am trying to do the same,” says Sanghi.

Tarun Dudeja’s directorial venture revolves around four women—essayed by Ratna Pathak Shah, Dia Mirza, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanghi—whose biking trip becomes a journey of self-discovery. Sanghi is proud that she has an all-woman film on her resume within three years of foraying into Bollywood. “I don’t want to do safe movies. I could take up that two-bit role in a big film, but I am naturally not making those choices. I’ve learnt from Taapsee that it’s worth doing movies that need you to fight for them to be made and released. These films have an impact more than anything else,” she says. 

We have all grown up on multiple versions of female friendships. It’s a pity that they haven’t been represented enough in Hindi films. “When intelligent, strong women come together, we feel invincible. I love that these women [in the film] are strangers who alter each other’s lives. When Taapsee gave me a cup of chai and told me this story, I was proud that Bollywood is finally making movies about women owning agency and not asking for it.” 

But as much as the cast is upbeat about such films being made, the reality remains that they aren’t promoted much. Being three films old, Sanghi admits she needs this movie more than her experienced co-stars. “From an outsider’s perspective, I feel bad. I have to force myself to understand that as an actor, there is only so much I can do. When I hear senior actors tell me to switch off when pack-up is called, I have to make my peace with it. I’m deeply passionate about the film and I will sell it till my dying breath. But a lot of it is beyond my control. We have poured our soul into this film and I believe it will reach the audiences’ hearts.”

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