Nauheed Cyrusi, the actor and model known for her role in the song Piya Basanti and the film Anwar, has explained why she has been less visible in films and television in recent years. In a candid video on Instagram, she discussed her experiences in the industry and why she chooses roles selectively.
Discomfort with Intimate Scenes
Nauheed revealed that contracts often require actors to be comfortable with intimate scenes. She stated, "Hmm, let's kill two flies with one slap, shall we? This is possibly the most asked question. While it's a great time to be in the film world, one of the things they make you sign in your contract is that you have to be very comfortable making out and kissing." She expressed discomfort with the increasing inclusion of such scenes, adding, "I just feel like, now even in unnecessary places they keep adding kissing scenes. And I'm sorry to say, but I just don't think we look good on screen kissing. I don't know what it is. Either they just don't know how to shoot it well."
This stance has often cost her work. "Before I can say yes or no, I get rejected because I say I'm not comfortable with the kissing part," she said.
Financial Struggles and Payment Issues
Nauheed also spoke about financial difficulties, alleging that producers sometimes withheld payments. "Now imagine, you finish shooting, and the producer holds on to about 25 percent of your payment. A lot of times I never got that payment. It just never came. They would say the picture didn't do well, didn't run, etc. But I did my part. There's a contract, and who am I to sue them? I'm not going to be able to do that."
Staying Away from Industry Cliques
Looking back, she admitted that avoiding industry networking circles may have impacted her career. "I just wasn't somebody who'd roam around in the clique of actors, producers, etc. I had my whole life outside of acting. Because of that, I would end up getting the sad end of the stick. Somebody's sister, somebody's bhabhi, somebody's... I was just like, no, I'm not interested in doing that. I'd rather not than do this."
Nauheed made her return with Bombay Begums and was recently seen in Jab Khuli Kitaab, directed by Saurabh Shukla, now streaming on ZEE5.
