Marriage never changes boundaries: Sonakshi Sinha on filming intimate scenes
In an exclusive conversation, actors Sonakshi Sinha and Jyotika opened up about intimacy on screen, personal boundaries, marriage, and working with Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari in System.
For people who have watched System, one thing that truly stood out was the way filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari handled intimacy on screen. While the industry has evolved over the years, for many female actors, marriage still comes with an unspoken expectation, that they either become more ‘careful’ on screen or constantly explain their choices.
However, for System lead stars Sonakshi Sinha and Jyotika, the conversation around intimacy on screen has little to do with marital status and everything to do with personal comfort.
In an exclusive chat with India Today, both actors admitted that intimate scenes are not something they naturally gravitate towards, with Sonakshi stressing that her boundaries existed long before she got married.
“I have had my dos and don'ts even before I got married. That didn't have to change because of my marital status. I think I was never very comfortable with doing intimacy beyond a certain level, and I stick to that till today,” Sonakshi said.
‘A lot of times, intimacy is unnecessary’
The actor, who has now spent over 16 years in the industry, explained that she sees no reason to alter her principles simply to fit changing trends on screen. According to her, intimacy is often used more for shock value than storytelling, especially on OTT platforms.
“It’s been 16 years, and I don’t think I need to change my principles for what I am supposed to be doing because, a lot of times, it’s very unnecessary. A lot of times, it’s used just to sensationalise things. A lot of times, it’s just used to scintillate people. So, most of the time, it’s unnecessary. But when it is required, it’s a collaborative effort with your director. You find a way around it and work in a way where everybody is comfortable,” Sinha added.
Jyotika, who was also part of the conversation, echoed a similar sentiment, admitting that she has consciously stayed away from such scenes throughout her career.
“I am far away from intimacy. I have never done it, and it’s the same answer,” she said with a laugh, before adding, “I am just not comfortable in my skin, and I don't attempt it either. I am very uncomfortable, to be very frank.”
Jyotika praises Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s female gaze
Speaking further about the sensitivity and emotional depth that a female gaze brought to the film, Jyotika shared that working with Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari added several nuanced layers to the relationship between the two women on screen.
“Of course, the chemistry between us was written beautifully on paper, but Ashwiny really took it forward with the little nuances between two women. Like one is wearing flats, the other is wearing heels, those tiny details subtly showed the discomfort and dynamics between the characters. There were so many little moments that bring a smile to your face. The silences, the quiet shots, the pauses between us, you can see that throughout the trailer. She really took her time to bring out the inner emotions,” the actor said.
Sonakshi Sinha on proving herself despite her father’s legacy
Sonakshi, on her part, spoke about relating to her character’s journey of carving her own identity despite having a successful father. The actor said she saw several similarities with her own life and her upbringing by her father, Shatrughan Sinha.
“Absolutely, because a lot of things are very similar. Even my father has always brought me up in a way where I had to prove myself to get anything in life. It’s not like everything was handed to me. In that aspect, yes, we are very similar. And that’s why, even today, I don’t take anything for granted. I treat every film like it’s my first film. I respect other people, I respect my work, and I respect people’s time. So I think, in those ways, we are quite similar.”
System also stars Ashutosh Gowariker. The film is streaming on Prime Video.
For people who have watched System, one thing that truly stood out was the way filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari handled intimacy on screen. While the industry has evolved over the years, for many female actors, marriage still comes with an unspoken expectation, that they either become more ‘careful’ on screen or constantly explain their choices.
However, for System lead stars Sonakshi Sinha and Jyotika, the conversation around intimacy on screen has little to do with marital status and everything to do with personal comfort.
In an exclusive chat with India Today, both actors admitted that intimate scenes are not something they naturally gravitate towards, with Sonakshi stressing that her boundaries existed long before she got married.
“I have had my dos and don'ts even before I got married. That didn't have to change because of my marital status. I think I was never very comfortable with doing intimacy beyond a certain level, and I stick to that till today,” Sonakshi said.
‘A lot of times, intimacy is unnecessary’
The actor, who has now spent over 16 years in the industry, explained that she sees no reason to alter her principles simply to fit changing trends on screen. According to her, intimacy is often used more for shock value than storytelling, especially on OTT platforms.
“It’s been 16 years, and I don’t think I need to change my principles for what I am supposed to be doing because, a lot of times, it’s very unnecessary. A lot of times, it’s used just to sensationalise things. A lot of times, it’s just used to scintillate people. So, most of the time, it’s unnecessary. But when it is required, it’s a collaborative effort with your director. You find a way around it and work in a way where everybody is comfortable,” Sinha added.
Jyotika, who was also part of the conversation, echoed a similar sentiment, admitting that she has consciously stayed away from such scenes throughout her career.
“I am far away from intimacy. I have never done it, and it’s the same answer,” she said with a laugh, before adding, “I am just not comfortable in my skin, and I don't attempt it either. I am very uncomfortable, to be very frank.”
Jyotika praises Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari’s female gaze
Speaking further about the sensitivity and emotional depth that a female gaze brought to the film, Jyotika shared that working with Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari added several nuanced layers to the relationship between the two women on screen.
“Of course, the chemistry between us was written beautifully on paper, but Ashwiny really took it forward with the little nuances between two women. Like one is wearing flats, the other is wearing heels, those tiny details subtly showed the discomfort and dynamics between the characters. There were so many little moments that bring a smile to your face. The silences, the quiet shots, the pauses between us, you can see that throughout the trailer. She really took her time to bring out the inner emotions,” the actor said.
Sonakshi Sinha on proving herself despite her father’s legacy
Sonakshi, on her part, spoke about relating to her character’s journey of carving her own identity despite having a successful father. The actor said she saw several similarities with her own life and her upbringing by her father, Shatrughan Sinha.
“Absolutely, because a lot of things are very similar. Even my father has always brought me up in a way where I had to prove myself to get anything in life. It’s not like everything was handed to me. In that aspect, yes, we are very similar. And that’s why, even today, I don’t take anything for granted. I treat every film like it’s my first film. I respect other people, I respect my work, and I respect people’s time. So I think, in those ways, we are quite similar.”
System also stars Ashutosh Gowariker. The film is streaming on Prime Video.
