'Women don't have to only sing and dance'

'When you are new, you don't know how the industry works.' 'But when you know where you are headed, the possibilities of being conned or facing unpleasant instances is reduced.

Monika Panwar, who has starred in projects like Super 30, Class of ‘83 and Jamtara, had no reservations about playing a pregnant woman in the recent release, Dukaan.

Whatever the reviews may say, Monika is happy with the film and the way her career is shaping up so far. “I always go for performance-oriented roles. It’s meaningless to do superficial things,” Monika says.

Did you have any reservations about a pregnant woman in Dukaan?

Not at all! I was 26 years old when we shot this film. This had such a profound script that it was an actor’s dream to be a part of such a film. I always go for performance-oriented roles. It’s meaningless to do superficial things. The graph of the character is so good that you get to show your skill as an actor. I am from NSD (National School of Drama) where I played a 35-year-old when I was only 21. Dukaan talks about giving respect to someone who accepts surrogacy and brings smiles on the faces of those who wish to have children.

How much work went into perfecting the dialect and playing the part?