Janki Bodiwala Opens Up About Disturbing Scene in ‘Shaitaan’: “The Director Asked for Realism, and I Was Terrified”

In the world of cinema, actors are often asked to push their emotional and physical limits to serve the story. But sometimes, what happens behind the scenes sparks just as much conversation as what appears on screen. Actress Janki Bodiwala, one of the breakout stars of the 2024 psychological horror film Shaitaan, has made headlines after revealing the shocking level of realism demanded during the filming of a particularly disturbing scene.

In a recent interview, Bodiwala recounted an experience that both challenged her as an actress and sparked debate around the line between method acting and potential discomfort. The revelation has once again raised the question: How far should realism in cinema go?

The Scene That Shook Her

The scene in question occurs at a pivotal moment in Shaitaan, where Bodiwala’s character, Janhvi, is under a supernatural trance and loses control of her bodily functions in front of her father—played by Ajay Devgn—due to dark forces manipulating her mind. The moment was written to be intensely emotional, symbolic of both mental captivity and physical helplessness.

But what viewers didn’t know was the level of detail expected from Bodiwala during the shoot.

In her interview, Bodiwala explained:

“It was one of the most emotionally complex scenes I’ve ever done. The director wanted complete realism, and I was terrified. He didn’t ask me to physically urinate on set, of course—but he said he wanted the feeling, the embarrassment, the discomfort to look real, not acted.”

To achieve this, the scene was choreographed with excruciating precision. Bodiwala had to portray the sense of humiliation, shock, and trance-induced helplessness—all without dialogue. “It had to be in my eyes, my breath, my body language,” she added.

The Director’s Approach: Art or Overreach?

Directed by Vikas Bahl, Shaitaan is a Hindi remake of the critically acclaimed Gujarati film Vash, in which Bodiwala also played the same role. Having done the scene once already, she thought she knew what to expect. But the Hindi adaptation, with a bigger budget and wider audience, came with increased expectations.

Bahl reportedly pushed Bodiwala to deliver a more raw, haunting version of the scene.

“He was very clear from the start,” Bodiwala said. “He told me, ‘This scene can’t feel acted. It needs to feel like we just caught something real on camera.’ And when someone you respect says that, you do everything you can to deliver.”

Some industry insiders have praised Bahl’s commitment to realism, noting that the scene is not sexualized or sensationalized, but rather a painful expression of the character’s loss of agency. However, others have quietly questioned whether such intensity is necessary—especially for a young actress placed in such a vulnerable narrative space.

A Career-Defining Performance

Despite the discomfort, Bodiwala’s portrayal of Janhvi has been widely praised as one of the most haunting and nuanced performances in a mainstream horror film in recent years. Her ability to shift between innocence and dread, strength and fear, has earned her acclaim from critics and fans alike.

In Shaitaan, she plays a teenage girl possessed by an unknown demonic force, manipulated into betraying her family. The film balances horror with psychological tension, and Bodiwala’s role is central to both.

“This role changed me,” she admitted. “I used to think I had boundaries as an actress—but this experience taught me that when the material is honest and the team is respectful, I can go further than I thought possible.”

The Ethics of Emotional Extremes

Still, her revelation has reignited a conversation about how far actors should be expected to go for a role—especially when the scene involves trauma, nudity, or physical functions. While Bodiwala clarified that no one forced her to do anything against her will, her comments suggest that the pressure to perform at a certain level of realism was intense.

Industry experts point out that emotional and psychological safety on set is just as important as physical safety. “Actors need boundaries, and directors need to respect those boundaries,” one film psychologist noted. “It’s one thing to ask for realism; it’s another to push someone into emotional extremes without adequate preparation or support.”

A Rising Star on the Edge

Janki Bodiwala, who began her career in regional cinema, is now transitioning into Bollywood stardom. Shaitaan has opened new doors for her, and industry insiders say she’s being considered for several high-profile roles. Yet, her honesty about her experiences sets her apart in an industry often cloaked in secrecy.

“I’m not afraid to talk about what we go through as actors,” she said. “What matters is that we’re telling stories that matter—and we’re doing it in a way that respects our dignity.”

For fans, her courage both on and off the screen is what makes her performance in Shaitaan so unforgettable. As debates about realism and ethics in acting continue, Bodiwala’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the personal sacrifices actors make in pursuit of great storytelling.