Exclusive - I am open to exploring new mediums but can't do shows that revolve around nudity, says Donal Bisht

Roop – Mard Ka Naya Swaroop and Ek Deewana Tha fame Donal Bisht has started a new initiative to connect with fans. In the wake of rise in suicide caaes and people suffering from depression, Donal urges people to speak to her and share their pain. In an exclusive interaction with ETimes TV, Donal shared, how she is keeping herself happy by getting to talk to people. She feels for those who have no one to talk to and spread mental health awareness. Read more... (By: Sukarna Mondal)

May happens to be the mental awareness month and I have taken a small initiative to talk to people. There are many people like me who are living alone, not able to talk, are frustrated and don’t know whom to talk to. I just wanted to help them. Every week I will try to interact with my followers in a QnA session. I started it and I tried to reply to most of their thoughts. I could feel those are real problems of people and I was happy to help them. It was rejuvenating to know that you can also help people.

I would get calls from my known people asking me ‘Are you okay’. So while speaking you also get to know of their problems. And there is so many news all around. I just realised that I am at home and if I have some problem, I am sane enough to call my parents. Many people don’t have their parents, friends or partners to discuss. I felt why not talk to them. I wanted to help people and I am happy.

I feel very sad. I don’t want anyone else to do this. Please talk to me. If you have any problem, if you are in depression, talk to me. It happens when you don’t have people around you who can help them out. I have noticed, people tend to ignore saying ‘are usko tension hai, chhor na’. I have seen people around me as well. If someone is sad, they won’t go to them. I have read psychology and I can empathise with people. When a person decides to take his/her life, it’s just a fraction of second. But before that, that person might have been trying to share his feelings. Someone should tell that person to be strong. Life is about give and take. Lend your support. Come out for that one person.

People don’t know that actors have to wait for 90-days, which later stretches to four months at times. Even I was shocked when I entered the industry. I didn’t know that I will get paid after 3-4 months. Thankfully, I was working before. Whatever savings I had, I divided my expenditure for four months.

All those who are listening to me right now, if you want to become an actor, come with a backup. There should be savings. Don’t leave behind everything and struggle here. It is a request to all the channel and production houses, please lift this 90-day payment rule. It is sad as it is becomes difficult to survive for four months with no other income. People are killing themselves. People are killing because you are not paying. Why can’t you take the responsibility and see to it that people don’t take such a drastic step. Production and channel houses have a lot of money. They have crores. Can’t they pay 5-10K per day basis? Per month payment should be applied.

When I joined Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji, I knew that their shows go on for long. But there were some internal issues. I was shocked. The channel wanted to bring Sanjivani in 6.30 pm slot and none of us thought that they won’t bring it at that time. Because Sanjivani is a big budget show and it had to come in the prime time 8-9pm slot. I will say this, our show atleast had 1 TRP, Sanjivani was 0.6 or 0.7 something. Hamara show chalna chahiye tha. It would have done better.

I would like to try out new mediums. I don’t want people to forget me as an actress. But in web shows I don’t want it to revolve around my body. Even in films, I don’t have a Godfather. I have struggled and I want to do meaningful roles. There are some shows, I have seen revolve only around sex and nudity. I can’t do such shows. I am not up for that.