TV star Rati Pandey opens up about being bullied by a director, leading her to question her skills. Discover her journey to resilience.
Rati Pandey, a celebrated actress in the television industry, has won countless hearts with her versatile roles in shows like Hitler Didi, Miley Jab Hum Tum, Porus, and many more. Despite her widespread acclaim, Rati recently shared a troubling experience where she was subjected to bullying by a director. This incident severely impacted her self-esteem and led her to question her own abilities.
The Backstory: A Director's Unfair Treatment
In a candid interview with ETimes TV, Rati delved into the details of the bullying she endured on set. She had just transitioned from a mythological and historical show where she had to speak in pure Hindi. This linguistic immersion was so deep that she found it challenging to switch back to colloquial language. She explained:
"After doing a mythological show, I found myself speaking in pure Hindi even in my daily life. I was then offered a role in a socio-drama, and I had no time to prepare. I was still in the mindset of my previous character and couldn't easily switch languages."
The Director's Public Humiliation
Rati revealed that the director had initially wanted another actress for the role. Because she was a favorite of the channel and production house, and they believed in her ability to excel in the role, she was cast instead. This led to the director openly criticizing and demeaning her in front of the entire crew. She recounted:
"The director would publicly berate me over the microphone, making it clear that he had wanted another actress for the role. This happened a few years ago, and it was a deeply humiliating experience."
The Emotional Toll: Sleepless Nights and Self-Doubt
The director's constant public criticism began to take a toll on Rati's mental well-being. She found herself questioning her skills and enduring sleepless nights pondering her worth as an actress. She shared:
"Every time I would start to deliver a line, he would interrupt me, saying it wasn't working. This led me to question my own abilities. I would go home and lose sleep over it, wondering if I had lost my acting skills."
The Turning Point: Standing Up for Herself
Eventually, Rati reached her breaking point and decided to exit the show. During an emotional scene, she finally stood up to the director, informing him that she would no longer be part of the project. She immediately contacted her producer to express her gratitude for the opportunity and explain the situation. She later learned that the director's behavior was a pattern, aimed at making actors "unlearn" their skills.
Lessons Learned: A Journey of Personal Growth
In retrospect, Rati expressed gratitude for the experience, viewing it as a lesson in personal growth. She realized the importance of continually evolving as an actor and not becoming complacent. She concluded:
"I'm thankful for this experience as it taught me the value of unlearning and adapting. Any criticism I faced was ultimately for my own growth."
What are your thoughts on Rati Pandey's revelations? Feel free to share your opinions.