Interview | Dissecting Shaitaan with actress Janki Bodiwala: My character was crooked in Hindi version

Janki Bodiwala may have come across as a new face to many as she made her Bollywood debut last month in Ajay Devgn-R Madahavn-Jyothika starrer Shaitaanbut the actress is a well-known face in Gujarati cinema.

A dentistry student, Janki made an impressive debut in Gujrati coming-of-age film Chhello Divas in 2015 and subsequently delivered hits like Tamburo and Bau Na Vichar. Her Bollywood debut Shaitaan helmed by Vikas Bahl is a remake of a Gujarati film called Vash. Directed by Krsihnadev Yagnik the original film too featured Janki and she said she was initially surprised when she was asked to reprise her role in the Hindi remake.

"I was surprised when they told me they wanted to cast me for the same role. I was also nervous because now I would have to share screen space with Ajay Sir, Madhavan Sir and Jyothika Ma'am- all great actors and prove myself in front of them," said Janki.

The young actress spoke about the film and dissected some of the scenes in a chat with WION recently. Considering she was reprising her role in the Hindi remake, Janki said she was far more mentally prepared as an actor than when she shot for Vash (released in 2023).

"When I first shot for the Gujarati film, I had to exert a lot more because the scenes were challenging. While making Hindi I was more mentally prepared."

For those who haven't watched Shaitaan yet, Janki plays Janvi who is ensnared by black magic by a sinister Vanraj (R Madhavan) who controls her every move as her parents and younger brother watch in horror.

The psychological thriller opened to mixed reviews from critics with most praising Janki for her able performance. Read WION's review of the film here

On working with stalwarts like Ajay Devgn and Joythika

The young actress she was slightly intimidated by the presence of actors like Jyothika, Ajay Devgn and R Madhavan and learnt a lot by observing them.

"I observed Ajay Devgn a lot on sets. He is punctual and prepared and ready with his scenes always. If you are an actor- no matter how big a name you are you must be prepared for a scene before you come to the sets. He and Jyothika Ma'am were very sporting also. I had to push them, and hurt them due to the demand of the script and I was quite nervous about it- but Ajay sir made me very comfortable, and asked me to be more aggressive so that it looksauthentic. And the same with Jyothika. She looks so delicate but she did action scene herself - did not use body double. I loved their dedication to the craft. "

On the difference in Vash and Shaitaan script

"The baseline is the same for both Gujarati and Hindi films. Both films talk of the ills of black magic. But of course, the graph and the vision of the two directors are different. Vikas sir's vision for my character was crooked. The way she smiles, the way she locks her parents in the storeroom - that was added in the Hindi film- not part of the original.The scene where I am sitting on top of the gas cylinder was an addition to the Hindi film. That chunk is not there in the Gujarati film," pointed out the actress.

Eating biscuits and getting a sugar rush for a scene

A scene in Shaitaan involved Madhavan's character commanding Janaki to eat up an entire packet of raw tea leaves. Janaki revealed that the packet had Oreo biscuit crumbs in it.

"In Vash, the tea packet was filled with Oreo in the top layer but had tea leaves in the bottom. Because of multiple takes, I did eat a lot of the tea leaves. In Shaitaan, however, the box was filled with biscuit crumbs and by the end of it- I had a major sugar rush.

The writing was foolproof for both films

Janaki called Krishnadev Yagnik's story gripping even on paper. "We didn't have to do anything extra at all. Kudos to the screenplay writer Aameel Kiyan Khan for writing something so gripping that even when I read the script I was feeling the same rush that the viewers had while watching the film," the actress said.

She did find the physical action in the film difficult. "One has to be cautious that no one gets hurt while you are performing. But I was lucky- both while filming Gujarati and Hindi film- that my co-actors were supportive, they told me that that it is part of your job, even if we get hurt - don't worry, just do your job. If you have to show aggression on screen, do it- so that it looks authentic," she added.

Janki's favourite scene from Shaitaan

"The scene where my character urinates in front of her father was beautifully written. It demanded a lot from me as an actor and that scene was special. As an actor I had to show emotions to my father and through my eyes tell him to not come near me or else I would be compelled to hit him. Also, the subsequent sequence where Jyothika ma'am comes and changes my shorts was very aesthetically shot. It was such a delicate scene but so well written. As a performer I enjoyed doing that scene," recalled Janki.

The actress has been earning praise from all across for her performance but she feels her father's compliment after watching both the films is the most special for her. So far Janki has not signed any Hindi film but will be seen in a Gujrati film which is up for release in June.