Meri Bhavya Life's Sheetal Maulik recalls casting couch experience; says ‘I was directly asked if I'm ready to compromise'
Reflecting on the incident, she shared how naïve she was at the time and how that moment shaped her journey in the industry.
'It was quite unexpected for me,' Sheetal began. 'I was very innocent during the time I made my acting debut. I was hardly 15 or 16 years old. Back then, we were still considered kids and our parents made most decisions. Today's generation is much more aware and informed.'
Recalling the shocking incident, she said, 'I was in talks for a project, and I was directly asked if I'm ready to compromise.
I was so innocent that I agreed on the spot, thinking it meant they would pay me less. I came home and told my family, 'Yay! I'm selected! Just that they'll pay me less, and I agreed to it.''
However, the reality hit hard soon after. 'The next day, the producer called me to meet at night. I was like, 'Sir, now?' And he said, 'Yes, we talked about compromising, and you seemed comfortable.' I said, 'Yes, I'm okay with less money,' and he replied, 'No, we can pay you more.
All you need to do is…' I cut off the call. That moment was a real shock for me.'
Despite the harrowing experience, Sheetal emphasized the positives. 'Yes, the industry has a dark side, but there are good people too—professionals who respect and appreciate your talent. I was lucky to meet such people and didn't let that one experience break me. I kept going.'
She further shared, 'My mom used to accompany me to auditions after that. I became more aware. I always tell newcomers—trust your talent and stay true to your path. Hard work and honesty will take you far.'
In addition to Meri Bhavya Life, Sheetal has appeared in Deewaniyat, Suhaagan, Barsatein – Mausam Pyaar Ka, and Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai, slowly carving a place for herself with resilience and talent.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Vikrant Massey opens up about his love story with wife Sheetal Thakur: ‘She said, the moment I saw you, I saw the father of my kids'
Vikrant Massey , who recently embraced fatherhood with wife Sheetal Thakur , got candid about their relationship journey. The 12th Fail actor spoke in detail about how they met, fell in love, supported each other through tough times, and ultimately built a life and family together. Vikrant and Sheetal were first introduced through a mutual friend in 2015. But it wasn't until they worked together on the set of Broken But Beautiful in 2018 that their bond truly deepened. 'It was definitely not love at first sight,' Vikrant confessed on Rhea Chakraborty 's podcast. 'It was love at third sight. But there were serious sparks. I was single at the time and thought she was so pretty.' He shared a key moment during New Year's when he realized he was missing her terribly while on a trip with friends in Karjat. 'We had that awkward side hug, front hug moment before I left, and I just couldn't stop thinking about her. I was on the phone the whole time with her. My friends even asked, 'Why did you come here?'' "I saw the father of my kids," Sheetal had said early on Vikrant recalled a comment from Sheetal that stuck with him over the years. 'When we met again, she told me something that actually turned out to be true. She said, 'The moment I saw you, I saw the father of my kids.' It might sound creepy, but today, we're parents to a wonderful boy. It's crazy how life turns out.' The couple lived together before marriage—a decision encouraged by Vikrant's mother to help them understand each other better. They got engaged in 2019 and registered their marriage on February 14, 2022, followed by a traditional ceremony. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Don't Bother With An Expensive Will (Do This Instead) Local Will Finder Undo Their son, Vardaan, was born in February 2024. 'She supported me for six months when I was struggling' When Rhea reminded Vikrant of a conversation they had seven years ago—where he had said he found 'the one'—he smiled and acknowledged it, joking, 'Yeah, I found her first, then I ran out of money. Then she took care of me.' Vikrant revealed that during a low phase in his career, after Lootera, when he was struggling to land more films, Sheetal supported him financially and emotionally. 'She supported me for a good four, five months—almost six months, actually—when I was trying my luck in films. When nothing came through, I went back to TV. I did Qubool Hai and slowly, films started coming in again.' Vikrant Massey Openly Admits He Tried PR, Felt 'Fake,' and Quit Shared values and mutual respect form the foundation of their bond Reflecting on their compatibility, Vikrant said, 'I don't know what works or doesn't work in relationships. But in our case, our backgrounds were very similar. Our hunger for a good, dignified, respectable life was the same. Our value systems and worldviews aligned.' He admitted that disagreements are part of every relationship, but it's the foundation that matters. 'There are disagreements, of course. But the pillars are strong. Certain things remain constant, and that's what keeps you together.'
Pink Villa
16 hours ago
- Pink Villa
Who is Sheetal Thakur? Meet Vikrant Massey's engineer-turned-actress wife who debuted with a Punjabi film
Vikrant Massey may be an outsider, but he has created a name for himself in the Bollywood industry. With his brilliant acting and fine screen presence, he has become one of the most bankable actors in the industry. He may be ruling the screens, but his heart is ruled by his beautiful wife, Sheetal Thakur. Fans know almost everything about the actor. But today, let us give you a peek into Sheetal's personal life. Sheetal Thakur's childhood and education Sheetal Thakur was born on November 13, 1991, in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. She belongs to a middle-class Hindu family and has 2 siblings, a brother and a sister. She completed her schooling at St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School in Chandigarh. Her childhood environment was a pretty disciplined one, and this is the reason she was inclined more towards her studies. After finishing her studies, Thakur pursued a in Information Technology from Delhi University. After this, she even worked at Havells in Delhi. Sheetal Thakur's venture in modelling While she was in college, Sheetal tried her luck by participating in the Femina Miss Himachal Pradesh pageant and was awarded the title of Miss Beautiful Smile. This marked the beginning of her modelling career. Around 2012, she began appearing in print and TV advertisements for major brands. Not only this, but she also had several opportunities to walk the ramp for renowned designers like Satya Paul. Sheetal Thakur's transition to acting It was her modelling background that paved the way for her acting career, and she debuted with the Punjabi film Bambukat in 2016. She then worked in ALT Balaji's series Broken But Beautiful. This was life-changing for her as she also met her future husband, Vikrant Massey, on the show. Sheetal Thakur and Vikrant Massey's love story Sheetal played Vikrant's love interest in the ALT Balaji show, from where their real-life romance also began. They began dating and kept their relationship highly private for more than a year. Finally, in 2019, they had a private roka ceremony after which they started living together. They spent the entire lockdown together. On February 14, 2022, these two lovebirds got officially married at a civil court in Mumbai. On February 18, they tied the knot in a traditional Himachali way in Sheetal's hometown. Now they are a happy couple and parents to one son, Vardaan.
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Actor Ashi Singh's acting break led to her dream home in Mumbai and a new show
When Ashi Singh took a break as 'nothing much was happening on the work front', the period proved pivotal for her, as she decided to focus on her financial stability. 'For 10 years, I had been living on rent and constantly relocating. That's when I decided that I needed to check and cut down on my expenses and increase my savings, which has finally paid off,' the actor shares, adding that this disciplined approach resulted in fulfilling a dream: buying her own home, a 3BHK, in Mumbai. Ashi Singh 'It's like a dream come true,' Ashi exclaims about her new investment. 'The house represents more than just a place to live; it brings a sense of belonging along with security. Having my own place has surely made me more confident,' she states. Ashi, who has starred in shows including, Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai, Aladdin – Naam Toh Suna Hoga and Meet, did a puja ceremony at her new home in April and is currently getting the interiors done. And when it comes to decorating her new space, the actor goes for simplicity. 'I have a few things in mind for when I shift. I don't like over-the-top interiors, so I'll have a simple decor with an elegant puja ghar and a cozy reading corner.' As for work, the entertainment industry is currently going through a slowdown, which Ashi believes 'began a few years ago and is nothing new'. It is now just more evident with 'selective work, cost-cutting, and tight budgets' becoming the new norm. But she is glad to be back on TV with Ufff... Yeh Love Hai Mushkil. The actor, self-admittedly enjoys 'less dramatic and more light-hearted comic' roles, and her new part fits in that zone. 'My earlier work is a testimony to this that saas-bahu sagas are not for me,' she quips. Talking about her role in the show, Ashi adds, 'As it's a fun love story set against the backdrop of a crazy household. I play a determined young woman raising her three siblings so it's a journey of love and healing, such roles hardly cross you so when it came to me I was excited to part of the show.'
