Last seen as a mafia lord's wife in web series “Smoke”, Mandira Bedi is now shooting for Prabhas-starrer “Saaho” and her Tamil film “Adangathey” is to be released this year. The 45-year-old “Shanti” actress has also become a fitness icon and keeps posting her inspiring exercise and toned body images on social media. Here She talks about her stint with the digital platform, changing scene in television programming and what fitness means to her.
Excerpts
On working in web series and short films
You do not have to rely on the channels and the timelines associated with it. When the digital content is made, there is a lot of creativity and a lot more freedom in terms of both content and duration of each episode. It is quite similar to the scale of filmmaking. You have people who do not want to repeat and want to make a different kind of content and put it out just for the sake of telling a story. This is new.
On the change that has taken place in television programming
When it comes to television, the programming has become much more regressive. I got into the industry when there was only Doordarshan and Zee. “Shanti” was far more progressive 20 years ago as the intent was to mirror the society. It was very thought-provoking and they made sure that women are respected and not objectified. I feel there can be more complex and real characters than there are right now.
On how depiction of women has changed in films
There was a time there were only hero and heroine binaries but now there are a lot more characters. It is not just the lead pair but there is an ensemble cast with characters which are pivotal to the film.
On how social media has changed the dynamics of fandom
Social media is very useful in a sense that anything which you want to share, you can easily do it. Also, it is helping me in getting work. A lot of the work that I am getting is because of the social media as a lot of directors notice you through your posts. I am doing a Tamil film and I got that film because the director saw me on Twitter. Even the director of “Saaho” follows me on the social media and we keep interacting. But at the same time, you keep meeting those people who intentionally barge into your life through this medium just for the sake of attention. It has both sides and it is up to you how you manage it.
On her idea of fitness
Fitness, in my opinion, is a healthy mind, body and heart. You need to have a fine balance between your work and the body. I do not exercise just to have a perfect body but I need exercise because it is a very important part of my life and it contributes to my happiness and mental peace. Getting the right mix of food is also necessary as it is also spiritual in a sense. I run twice a week and I go to the gym three times a week. If I do not have the access to either of these, I devise my own workout through my own body weight and do crunches without weights.
