EXCLUSIVE: Janki Bodiwala talks highly of working with ‘punctual’ and ‘super professional’ Ajay Devgn in Shtaitaan; also reveals the special moment when Kartik Aaryan praised her performance: “I was like, ‘Wow, itna bada actor saamne se aapko aisa bol raha hai’!”

Shaitaan has emerged a surprise super-hit of 2024 and it’s all set to cross the Rs. 150 crores mark soon. The film has been loved for the concept, thrilling moments and, of course, the performances. Janki Bodiwala, without a shred of doubt, stole the show as the girl who gets under the spell, leading to chaos. This was significant since the film also starred talented, big names like Ajay Devgn, R Madhavan and Jyotika. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Janki Bodiwala spoke about the film, working in the original Gujarati version Vash (2023) and a lot more.

You were the only actor to feature in both Vash as well as Shaitaan. The makers of the remake could have cast anyone from Bollywood, but they chose to go with you. How does that feel? Yes, they could have cast anyone in Bollywood. But they decided to stick to the original casting for my character. That’s very generous of them. Thanks to them, I got such a big break in Hindi cinema. It was lovely working on both versions. It was a challenge since I had to do the same thing, that too in a better way than the previous film because I knew there were going to be comparisons.

Ajay Devgn said at the trailer launch that you have outperformed everyone in the film… (Smiles) That was really kind of him. I was not expecting he’d say that.

How was it working with Ajay Devgn? He’s a very kind and sweet person. He was super-professional to work with and he used to be on the set on time, ready with his lines. Hence, there was no waste of time when he was on the set. Jaise scheduling mein likha hai, waisa hi hoga. This applied even to Maddy sir and Jyotika ma’am.

It’s very rare to hear actors were on time on a Hindi film set… Even I had read about it in newspapers but on the sets of Shaitaan, everything used to be on time. If the roll time is at 9:30 am, the shoot will commence at 9:30 am sharp. Ajay sir would be on set at 8:45 am or 9:00 am. And even the pack-up will happen as planned (smiles)!

Ajay Devgn is known to be a prankster. Did he play any pranks on you? No, he didn’t actually as the scenes in the film were quite heavy. Not just him, even the other actors were not getting the time or were in that zone ki acting ke alawa bhi kuch aur sakte hai. So, I guess we were saved by his pranks!

How was your experience of working with Jyotika and R Madhavan? Jyotika ma’am is very sweet, and I had the deepest bond on the set with her. She was caring and would bring food and chocolates for me and Anngad Raj. With Madhavan sir, it was quite a learning experience. He had so many dialogue-heavy scenes, but he used to get it right in just one or two takes. He’s that good with his work. That’s what I learned from him – that you need to be ready with your lines and emotions. At times, the director would suggest some variations. He used to grasp it so well that he would act exactly as per the director’s instructions in the next take. Watching him perform live was itself a learning experience.

Not much is talked about Anngad Raj who played your younger brother. Your character harms his character a lot! I heard that in one of the scenes, he felt dizzy… There’s a scene where I bang his head on the staircase. If I remember correctly, he saw so much (fake) blood that he felt dizzy. Otherwise, he’s a very strong boy. I was a bit worried about executing the scene. But he told me, ‘Just do it It’s fine. Aap patko! Kuch nahin hoga’. After every take, he would just adjust his specs. I would ask him, ‘Tujhe laga?’. He’d reply, ‘No, I am fine’!

The ending of Vash was different than the one in Shaitaan. I guess it was done as the mainstream Hindi audience prefers a positive finale. What’s your take? It’s completely the maker’s vision. Even if you see my character’s graph in Shaitaan, it’s quite different from the one in Vash. The crooked smiles she gives were an addition as per the choice of the makers. And even for a Gujarati audience, an ending of this sort was quite new. They usually prefer comedy or light family films. Many told us that we couldn’t have such a climax to our film. Thankfully, the audience accepted it and the film worked due to word of mouth.

You and director Krishnadev Yagnik have always broken norms. First with Chhello Divas (2015), which was not the usual Gujarati entertainer. Yet, it became a rage. Vash also followed suit… Yes. Vash was actually the third time (we worked together and broke norms). Post COVID, Naadi Dosh (2022) was one of the first films to have worked big time at the box office. It also had a different subject.

Which was the most difficult scene for you in Shaitaan? The most difficult in both Vash and Shaitaan was when I had to change my shorts. When I did it for the first time, I was nervous as well as scared. I was prepared for it but to perform it live was tough. Thankfully, it was very well executed, and I was quite comfortable doing the scene.

A lot is being said that Shaitaan’s sequel is in the offing… Even I am reading about it and even I know as much as a layman (laughs)!

Your next is a Gujarati film called Trisha On The Rocks… This is a film which is again directed by Krishnadev Yagnik sir. It was shot after I filmed for Shaitaan. I wanted to play a light character as I had played two heavy characters, in Vash and Shaitaan. This is a film which will give viewers a reason to smile from start to finish. When I heard the character, I got excited as it’s a character I was craving to essay, which even I didn’t realize! It’ll be released on June 21. Again, it’s a different subject but it’s quirky and entertaining.

Do you have plans to work in Bollywood? I am giving auditions right now and meeting people. I have no idea what’s going to happen next.

Did anyone from Bollywood give you feedback after watching Shaitaan? At the premiere, once I got out of the screening, there was a lot of crowd. Suddenly, Kartik Aaryan came up to me and said that he loved my performance. It’s a moment I’ll always remember. I was like, ‘Wow, itna bada actor saamne se aapko aisa bol raha hai’!

Who are the Bollywood filmmakers on your wish list? I want to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali sir because I love the cinema he makes with grandeur et al. I’ll be very happy to be a part of his films, even if it’s a small role. I want to see first-hand how he makes his films and the process he follows.

Also Read: Janki Bodiwala says Shaitaan co-stars Ajay Devgn, R Madhavan and Jyotika taught her “invaluable lessons about the craft of acting”

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