Janki Bodiwala, the celebrated actress known for Gujarati films ‘Vash’ and her Hindi debut ‘Shaitaan’, shared her journey from regional cinema to national acclaim during her first visit to Lucknow. She expressed gratitude to Gujarati cinema for shaping her identity and opening doors to wider opportunities.
First Visit to Lucknow and Memorable Award Moment
During her visit to the City of Nawabs, Bodiwala spoke about her rise in the film industry. She won the National Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Shaitaan, receiving the honor from Shah Rukh Khan.
Describing the moment, she said:
“I will cherish that forever. When I saw him walking towards me, I was overwhelmed. Holding his hand and receiving the award from King Khan himself was unforgettable. His positive aura made me feel comfortable. It was one of the best days of my life.”
Gujarati Cinema: A Foundation for National Recognition
Bodiwala emphasized the crucial role of Gujarati cinema in her career:
“Gujarati films gave me an identity and more opportunities than I could have imagined. Thanks to them, I could step into the national cinema space and receive awards. I am deeply grateful.”
She highlighted how regional films have provided talented actors a platform to showcase their skills to a pan-India audience.
Breaking Regional Barriers in Indian Cinema
On the topic of regional divides, Janki Bodiwala expressed optimism:
“Today, there is hardly any divide. Gujarati films are now released across India. Hindi films also reach Gujarat. People here enjoy content from all languages—Marathi, Tamil, Bengali, and more. We Gujaratis are among the biggest content consumers and generate significant revenue. For us, language has never been a barrier.”
Her perspective reflects a growing trend in Indian cinema, where audiences embrace films beyond their regional language, creating a pan-India market for content.
Conclusion
Janki Bodiwala’s journey highlights how regional cinema can launch national careers. Her story also underscores the embrace of multilingual content in Gujarat, showing that audiences value quality entertainment above language barriers.