I have seen times where people didn’t know I existed: Flora

Rishabh Suri

Flora Saini is no stranger to being typecast in similar roles, as is the norm in showbiz. She says that is any day better than people not even recognising you. “After my web show Gandii Baat broke records, I was offered a lot of roles on the same lines. That was a big compliment. I have seen a time where people didn’t know I existed. Now everybody knows (me). I had said no to a lot of work after that show that,” says the 43-year-old.

Saini played the role of a ghost in Stree (2018), which was surprising because she agreed to a role where she wouldn’t even be visible.

“I did that in an industry where everyone wants to look beautiful. Logon ne kaha, ‘Yeh role kyun kiya, shakal nahin dikhi.’ Then when I did Gandii Baat, the same people said, ‘Why did you do that role? You were too bold.’ Logon ka kaam hai kehna,” adds Saini, saying every actor “is waiting for that one Friday that can change everything around”.

The situation, she says, is better now. “I am saying no to a lot of work now. At that time, it worked in my favour. The audience gets bored. I can never replicate the success of Gandii Baat. There will be too much pressure on me that if I don’t do it as well, then I am done,” says Saini.

The actor goes on to call it boring to do the same kind of roles again and again, and explains, “I started my career from the south. I want to do a role which I haven’t got till date. I guess I am lucky that I don’t have any monetary pressure. If it (financial pressure) was there, I wouldn’t have been able to do this.”

I am saying no to a lot of work now. I am lucky that I don’t have any monetary pressure. If it was there, I wouldn’t have been able to do this.

FLORA SAINI, Actor