Archana Puran Singh talks about facing sexism in industry: I have a lot of sympathy…

Archana Puran Singh made her debut in the film industry in 1987 with the film Jalwa. Since then the actress has been a part of several big Bollywood projects as well as serials. In a new interview, the actress revealed if she ever faced sexism or discrimination in the industry as she was one of the very few actresses who excelled in comic roles.

Archana Puran Singh gives advice to young women 

In an interview with Free Press Journal, Archana Singh revealed that even though she did not face any sexism in the industry previosuly, she has seen a change in recent years. She said,  “Strangely, I have never felt that men and women were treated differently in our industry. But of late, I have been feeling that there is a difference between women and men in the workplace. All those years when I was struggling to make a name, I never felt it, possibly, because I was so determined and so fierce that people were like, 'Don't take panga with this woman'. I think I had to be fierce because I was battling with the sexism that exists in the industry and in every workplace. I am not blind to it but I am going to fight it, not in an aggressive way but very firmly and will not accept it. I am not going to make a hue and cry about it, I am just not going to take it.”

Continuing her argument, the actress gave advice to the young girls. She continued, “All women need to know that if you are quietly persistent in what you want, if not today, someday you are going to make a difference to all the male bosses who are making that slight scud treatment of you. They have to step back. Today, I am successful in so many degrees, so I don't get that but I have a lot of sympathy for the average women who are struggling to make their place. I am not saying that take onto a platform and burn the bras but do it quietly, and be persistent. I tell this to all the young girls around me including my son's girlfriend. I tell her that you are not going to take any nonsense from him no matter what it is.”  

Archana Puran Singh talks about being typecast 

In the same interview, the actress shared the limitations she faced in her career after doing back-to-back comedy roles. She asserted, As a comedian, I have enjoyed my work, but the only drawback is that I have been only considered as a comic actor, so my other talents and another part of my craft have been put on the side. Anything really serious, artistic or intense work has been denied to me for a very long time. We all like to slot things. They have slotted me in this zone including Mehmood Sahab. He was a great actor, forget comic actors. They say in Hollywood that you are very lucky as an actor if they stereotype you and slot you because you have done something so brilliantly that they just want to see more of that. It's a double-edged sword that takes away from you the opportunity of doing anything else.”

She added that over the years she has been ‘deprived of good roles.’ She also asserted that the actor inside her is craving to do something more with her craft. She said, “I have gone through a lot and faced a lot but as a performer, I didn't have a chance to grow as a performer.” She concluded by saying that if she gets to do another job today, she will have to learn it all over again.