Actor Anya Singh, who plays talent manager Sanya in Aryan Khan’s directorial debut The Bads of Bollywood***, revealed that she was initially nervous about filming her same-sex intimate scene in the Netflix series.
The show — a meta-satire on the Hindi film industry — has been praised for its bold storytelling and humour. Speaking about audience response, Anya said, “Touchwood, it’s all been great and very positive. People have laughed and enjoyed the humour. I have a lot of questions about what they are calling the LGTV scene. I am happy!”
The scene, which involves a same-sex kiss, has been lauded for its sensitive yet comical treatment. “Comedy is a great way to get your point across. In a humorous take, you can touch upon important and diverse situations. It is absorbed better because you are not hurting anyone,” Anya said, adding that she appreciated how the show promotes respect for personal choices.
“I Asked Aryan If the Scene Was Necessary”
Anya admitted she was extremely anxious before shooting the scene. “I asked Aryan a few times if we really need the scene. Any sort of intimate scene is nerve-wracking for an actor. Every time you do it, you are nervous and there is a sense of awkwardness,” she recalled.
Her anxiety eased when she realised her co-star — a junior artist with little acting experience — was even more nervous. “She was shaking. In that moment, my perspective changed. I started taking care of her, and it made me more comfortable too,” Anya said.
She credited the show’s creators for ensuring a safe and supportive environment on set. “Only when you feel safe and secure can you perform without overthinking. I think we did a good job,” she added.
The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, written and directed by Aryan Khan with Bilal Siddiqui and Manav Chauhan as co-writers, also stars Lakshya, Sahher Bambba, Raghav Juyal, Bobby Deol, Mona Singh, Manoj Pahwa, and Manish Chaudhari, and is now streaming on Netflix.