Mumbai: Actress Sheetal Kale, who gained recognition for her role in Sushmita Sen’s acclaimed web series Taali, has spoken out about the language-based discrimination she has experienced in the film industry.
In an exclusive chat with IANS, Sheetal was asked whether she had ever been judged for her regional accent.
She responded candidly, saying, “There’s a lot of partiality in the industry. If you don’t speak fluent English, people often look down on you. It’s ironic because we work in Hindi cinema. I’ve personally faced such discrimination.”
Sheetal pointed out that people tend to make quick judgments. “If you don’t understand certain English words or if you speak with an accent, they assume you’re uneducated or not at their level. It’s upsetting. I believe only talent should matter,” she added.
Coming from a Marathi-medium background, Sheetal admitted she still gets nervous speaking in front of the camera. “Even during interviews, I feel shy and struggle to express myself fluently. I’m still learning,” she said.
However, she finds comfort in performing scripted lines. “Acting is something I enjoy—it gives me confidence. But speaking about personal matters on camera is still a challenge,” she admitted. “But with each experience, I’m growing.”
Sheetal also shared how she found her way into Bollywood. “My journey has been quite a ride. It took me years of hard work to get a meaningful break. I’ve told my story many times, but I never get tired of it because every step has taught me something valuable.”
Commenting on the importance of networking in the industry, she said, “Connections matter a lot. Favoritism and lobbying are real. Still, if you keep auditioning and giving your best, you’ll eventually be noticed. That’s what happened with me. I won an award, and I truly believe everyone gets their chance—it just takes patience.”
With inputs from IANS