'Nothing wrong with buying a condom'

‘The guilt and shame that comes just from the fact that you are a woman and you want to buy a condom is ten times more.'

‘You are put through ten times more shame and guilt just because you are a woman!'

Pranutan Bahl takes up the bold

role of a condom-seller in her

new film Helmet, opposite

Aparshakti Khurana.

The film may sound A-rated ,but the

young actress feels differently.

"You should watch it with your

family," Your first film Notebook did not do well at the box office. How did you cope up with that?

Coming from a film family (Pranutan

is the late movie legend Nutan's granddaughter and actor Mohnish Bahl's

daughter), you are used to it.

Of course, there was a little

disappointment. but at the same time, I

got appreciated for my work.

That was a lot for me.

People were commenting on how good

my acting was, and that felt good.

It's very encouraging for a newcomer

to have that support in the media, in

the audience and also in the film

fraternity.

I think you can only control what is in

your hands.

If people had thought that I was

miserable in the film, that would have

really really hurt me. Luckily, Your dad that has did been not in happen. the film industry you tips about for decades. what kind Does of he scripts give to pick up?

Of course. His opinion matters a lot.

But the final decision is always mine.

He has always encouraged that and has

asked me to take responsibility for my

own actions. Your dad has been extremely close to Salman Khan. How has your equation been with him?

It is fantastic. He is wonderful.

Very humble and extremely loving to

not just me but everybody that he has

launched.

I know he is always there to listen to

me or advise me on anything that I

need help with. You are a south Bombay girl and your character in Helmet is from the heartlands of Uttar Pradesh. Was it difficult playing the part?

Yeah, initially, it was difficult because

honestly, I didn't have any time to

prepare for this role.

After I passed the audition, I flew to

Banaras within seven days. So I didn't

have any time to prepare. But with the help of my director and

writer, it got easier.

Day one was difficult, day two was a

little better.

Slowly, I got the hang of it. You share a crackling chemistry with Aparshakti Khurana. How was your shooting experience with him?

It was amazing.

We have a fantastic rapport.

We have not been friends for long, but

day one, we've gotten along so well.

We used to have so much fun on the

sets.

I used to sing Smelly Cat to him.

On the sets, I used to trouble everyone!

I used to be just singing Smelly Cat all

the time!

I used to trouble Apar, Abhishek

(Banerjee) and the director (Satram

Ramani) and people ended up asking

me 'What's gotten into you?' In Helmet, your character Rupali sells condoms, something we haven't seen before in a film.

Why should only men purchase or sell

a condom?

I really love that about my character in

the film. Rupali is very forwardthinking and aspirational.

I boys? The that personally you guilt are and a feel shame woman why that should and comes you it want only just be to from buy limited the a fact to

condom times woman! more is ten shame times and more. guilt You just are because put through you are ten a

Why that is should actually you good? feel guilty about doing something

There purchasing is nothing a condom. wrong with going out and

The You wrong are actually thing made would to be feel to have like you unprotected have done sex.

some kind of a crime and people give you so many

looks to make you feel so guilty about something

that The is topic completely of condoms natural. is still considered taboo in Indian society. What do you think should be done so that this taboo can be normalised?

To understand that this is a problem needs to be

identified.

Identify the problem first, only then can you move

towards the solution.

If people are going to keep brushing it under the

carpet...

There shouldn't be any guilt or shame attached to it,

and that will only happen when there is a healthy

dialogue among family members.

That's what I hope Helmet brings about.

That's why I say that Helmet is a family film. You

should watch it with your family.

It is entertaining and it will also convey a message. Helmet couldn't be released in theatres. Are you upset?

It was supposed to be a theatrical release. Of course,

I was upset.

Then I realised that there was no certainty about

cinemas.

At the same time, it is important to realise that the

charm of a theatrical release and the charm of

watching a film on OTT are completely different.

You cannot really pit them against each other.

But in the current scenario, this is the best

possibility for the film.

It is important for the film to go out there and be

viewed.

A lot of money is also stuck.

The producers have put in their money, so how

much can you keep waiting? There are reports you are doing a project with Ali Abbas Zafar. Is that true?

Now, the thing is that as actors, we go out for many

meetings.

It is not right for anybody to speak about anything

until you are sure that you are a part of it.