Bangla Press Desk: Actress Rashmika Mandanna feels uncomfortable wearing outfits like bikinis or any attire that reveals a significant portion of her body. She prefers to voice her discomfort if a role requires her to wear such clothing. However, once an actor has committed to a film project, raising objections regarding specific scenes or costumes is not always easy. Rashmika recently discussed this while attending an event alongside actor Vijay Deverakonda.
Vijay and Rashmika appeared on the ninth season of ‘Koffee with Karan,’ hosted by Karan Johar. During the show, they discussed personal boundaries for actors, the use of revealing costumes, and the freedom to express discomfort regarding certain scenes.
Rashmika noted that in commercial cinema, actors are often required to wear outfits that do not align with their personal preferences. She does not believe that one should simply accept everything just because a character demands it.
On this, Rashmika stated, "There are certain things I am not comfortable with. I understand that some roles might require a bikini or similar attire, but even in such cases, I must say that I feel uncomfortable in outfits that reveal too much of my body. That is simply not who I am."
The actress emphasized that she maintains a clear stance on her personal preferences. She explained that while commercial films may sometimes feature costumes she is not entirely comfortable wearing, she has established specific boundaries for herself.
She generally prefers to work with directors who respect her decisions.
Agreeing with Rashmika, Vijay highlighted the importance of creating an environment where actors feel empowered to raise objections regarding scenes or costumes. He pointed out that once an actor has signed on for a project, they may fear that expressing discomfort could lead others to question their professionalism.
According to Vijay, actors might worry that objecting to a particular scene or outfit could be perceived as a lack of commitment or an unwillingness to fulfill their professional responsibilities. Due to this pressure, they often end up setting aside their own discomfort and agreeing to the requirements. Vijay says, “Actors need someone by their side to affirm that it is perfectly fine to stand their ground. They might be told, ‘You’re an actress—you agreed to work on this film; isn’t this just part of your job?’ This leads them to question whether they are being unprofessional. Often, they choose not to make a big deal out of it, hoping that things will turn out fine. But later, when the issue comes to light, they realize they should have raised an objection at the time.”
Rashmika also admits that it is difficult for her to say a direct ‘no’ to a director when she is uncomfortable with a particular scene. She often feels hesitant to express her discomfort, but talking to Vijay gives her the courage to do so. Rashmika shares, “Actors need an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions. Sometimes, I find it hard to say, ‘I don’t want to do this.’ In such moments, I talk to Vijay. I tell him I want to speak up, and he says, ‘You can—and you absolutely should.’”
Vijay and Rashmika have highlighted the importance of balancing professional expectations with personal comfort and consent. They believe that if an actor feels uncomfortable with a specific costume or scene, there must be an opportunity for them to voice that concern.
BP/TD
