Bollywood actor Mahima Chaudhry has opened up about the challenging environment she faced on the sets of her early films, revealing that her debut director, the renowned Subhash Ghai, once scolded her so severely it moved her to tears. The incident, however, culminated in what she describes as her best shot in the 1997 film Pardes, which starred Shah Rukh Khan.
Toxic Atmosphere on Early Film Sets
In a candid conversation with interviewer Siddharth Kannan, Mahima Chaudhry painted a vivid picture of the negativity prevalent in the film industry during the initial phase of her career. She recalled that shouting and the use of abusive language over the microphone were common occurrences, which she labelled as "nonsense" and "bad behaviour."
The actor shared a specific memory where a male co-star had to point out to her that a director's loud, abusive rant was indirectly aimed at them. "He said that your facial expressions don't look like you are understanding that indication. So, you have to pretend that you don't understand," Mahima recounted. She noted that such behaviour has diminished now due to the omnipresence of cameras and social media, which can expose misconduct within seconds.
English as a Defence Mechanism
To navigate these hostile situations, Mahima Chaudhry developed a unique coping strategy. She intentionally began speaking in English to deflect indirect attacks. "I used to talk in English intentionally and ask, 'Excuse me, did you just say that I have to step here and do this scene?'" she explained. She believed that while people would freely berate her in Hindi, switching to English would force them to pause and think, giving her a momentary shield against the toxicity.
The Pardes Incident: Tears That Led to a Perfect Shot
Delving deeper into her debut experience, Mahima described the pivotal moment with director Subhash Ghai. Just before filming a crucial phone scene, Ghai reprimanded her harshly. "He scolded me badly once and then I did the phone scene, that's the one everyone liked," she said. The scolding was so intense that it made her cry, which ironically worked in favour of the scene that required her character to be emotional.
"He made me cry in a way. You had to cry in that scene and you have been already crying, your voice is like that, so it's fantastic, it helped," she admitted, acknowledging the unconventional method. However, she was quick to contrast this with her experience on her second film, Daag, directed by Raj Kanwar, which she described as a negative encounter involving groupism and poor behaviour.
Looking Forward: New Projects on the Horizon
On the professional front, Mahima Chaudhry is currently promoting her upcoming romantic comedy drama, Durlabh Prasad Ki Dusri Shadi, co-starring Sanjay Mishra and scheduled for release on December 19, 2025. Her most recent appearance was in the Netflix film Nadaaniyan, featuring Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan in lead roles.
Her revelations offer a stark glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of 90s Bollywood, highlighting a shift in on-set culture over the decades while reflecting on the personal resilience required to survive in the industry.
