Shalini Pandey on struggles post Arjun Reddy, being sidelined in discussions: ‘They just wanted me to be bubbly, show my dimples, and look beautiful’ – The Times of India

Shalini Pandey, who made her debut in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s 2017 Telugu blockbuster Arjun Reddy alongside Vijay Deverakonda, recently opened up about the struggles she faced despite the film’s massive success. The actress shared how she often felt sidelined in discussions and had to “play dumb” to be heard.
When asked about the hardest reality she had to face in the industry, Shalini told Bollywood Bubble, “When I initially came after Arjun Reddy, the hardest pill to swallow was that if I wanted to contribute something with the director, they wouldn’t take me seriously. They’d be like, ‘Alright, don’t use your brain.’ And I’d think, ‘But I have so much to offer!’ They just wanted me to be bubbly, show my dimples, and look beautiful. But I’m so much more than that.”
She further added, “Earlier, I used to play dumb to get my way out because I was alone and had to manage everything on my own. But then I realized, no, I won’t do that anymore. I don’t care if people feel weird about it or think I’m trying to act too smart. I will ask questions, I will put my foot down, and I will be heard.”

Shalini was last seen in Maharaj, the OTT debut of Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid Khan. After Dabba Cartel, she also has Bandwaale lined up. While her first lead role was in Bamfaad opposite Aditya Rawal, she made her big-screen Bollywood debut in 2022 with Ranveer Singh in Jayeshbhai Jordaar. Additionally, her Tamil film Idli Kadai is set for a theatrical release on April 10, 2025.