Pallavi Sharda leaves a lasting impression in Begum Jaan

Pallavi Sharda’s performance in Srijit Mukherji's recently released ‘Begum Jaan’ is being talked about & appreciated by the audience and critics alike and Pallavi is ecstatic by the response she has been receiving. It has been a long journey of perseverance and endurance for this Australian-born actress in Bollywood. Says Pallavi, “I would like to thank Srijit and Vidya (Balan). Begum Jaan is a very special film for me, as it resonates with a lot of my beliefs, particularly women's rights to own their bodies and the freedom to make their choices with conviction. I play a tormented character, who despite being emotionally vulnerable, projects a strong exterior. I surrendered myself completely to the role.”

 In the film, Pallavi essays the role of Gulabo - one of the girls in Begum Jaan's (Vidya) brothel, through which runs the Radcliffe Line that divides India and Pakistan during the period of partition. The viewers witnessed the intensity of her character for the first time in the film's trailer. But the scenes involving emotional conflict in the film’s second half where Pallavi shares screen space with Vidya, is where Pallavi stands out with her unapologetic, faultless and raw but honest portrayal of Gulabo.

 About the intimate scenes in the film, she adds, “I completely trusted my director and co-actors during those sequences. The character also allowed me to get rid of inhibitions and mental blocks, which our judgemental society creates.”

 Pallavi Sharda who is also being acclaimed for managing and getting the Punjabi dialect right in the film tells us that many are unaware of the fact that despite having been raised in Melbourne, she has strong Punjabi roots and speaks the language fluently. Her father also proved to be of great help in absorbing & mastering the nuances of the language. “It was a personal journey for me. Getting into the skin of Gulabo who was going through the pain and trauma of sexual violence, was extremely challenging,” she signs off.