Swara Bhasker calls out the hypocrisy of the Indian audience as her latest show about a woman owning her sexuality faces flak
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 7, 2020)

Swara Bhasker's latest offering Rasbhari has been in the news all week. The Amazon Prime Video series, which has Bhasker play a teacher whose teenage student becomes obsessed with her, has been slammed for its risqué content. The actor admits she too had her share of doubts when the project came her way. "Since it deals with adolescent sexuality and infatuation, the show depends heavily on the writing. The reference point was Malena [2000], but this show has a comic take. Malena was quite sexually explicit, so I asked for a full script. Upon reading it, I realised this show goes beyond adolescent sexuality and highlights the prejudices of repressed societies. It shows how on one hand, people lust after women, but on the other hand, female sexuality is equally vilified," says Bhasker.

The explicit display of sexuality hasn't gone down well with many, with a section of netizens terming it "soft porn". But she reasons it was necessary to tell the story from a male gaze. "The story is a young boy's perspective and thus told from a male gaze to highlight the blatant objectification of women. The show is not a mere raunchy comedy and Nikhil Bhatt [director] created the climax in such a way that Rasbhari is a catalyst in creating a better man of its adolescent hero. It's not an easy show to watch, especially for those who are conservative. The show holds a mirror to all of us. But isn't that the point of art?"

Bhasker believes that the outright rejection of the series is yet another instance of our society's double standards. She argues that while the Indian audience is encouraging of thought-provoking shows from the West, it cannot stomach bold content that emerges from our backyard. Highlighting the hypocrisy further, she states, "Rape is fetishised on screen and depicted rather insensitively in most cases, but, that doesn't bother us. We are comfortable watching women being violated, but when we see Rasbhari, we squirm. The story of Anaarkali Of Aarah [2017] is easier to digest because a wronged woman is more palatable to Indian sensibilities. Shanu [her character in Rasbhari] is in a more powerful position socially, and Rasbhari [her alter ego] is unabashed about her sexuality. She is a courtesan figure who is not a victim, but revels in every shade of her existence."

One of the few vocal artistes in Bollywood, the actor has often bravely spoken against the establishment. While she takes the online trolling with a pinch of salt, Bhasker is not amused that the show is being targeted because of her political stance. "The bloodbath is relentless. The IMDb ratings have dropped. This has happened to Thappad and Pataal Lok, too. I am happy to debate well-intentioned criticism, but the responses from trolls are simply, 'Haww ji ye kaise dikha diya?' Adolescent sexuality is a real thing. People who haven't even watched the show are criticising it; they are doing so because they don't like me. Perhaps that's the path I have chosen by not being silent. It's a braver and harder path to express dissent. This is precisely why Bollywood doesn't speak up; stars know their ideology could affect their work."

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 7, 2017)

The rapid unravelling of media mogul and Hollywood’s leading producer-distributor Harvey Weinstein, followed by House of Cards-star Kevin Spacey accused of molesting a minor, has shaken up the entertainment world in the West and prompted many victims to speak up against other power players.

Over the last two weeks, multiple allegations have been reported against actor-comedian Andy Dick, producer David Guillod, Oscar-winner Dustin Hoffman, songwriter Ethan Kath, TV star Jeremy Piven, filmmaker Brett Ratner, writer-animator Chris Savino, screenwriter-director James Toback, to name a few.

While Hollywood has sprung into a much-needed clean-up operation at the workplace, Bollywood has remained tightlipped on the issue. Finally, actress Swara Bhaskar speaks up about being harassed by a drunk filmmaker and why it’s important to break the code of silence.

The casting couch is not new to Bollywood. So why isn’t our film frat ready for a spring cleaning of sorts, a la Hollywood?
Sexual harassment is a universal phenomenon because fundamentally it is about power or rather the misuse of power. No relationship, even the most intimate, is devoid of power dynamics. Power operates most brazenly in an unregulated workplace and that is what Bollywood is. The way a film set operates is often feudal and always hierarchal, where some people give instructions and others execute them. It is an uncertain place ruled by fortune, the cruel seductress, populated with a crowd of forever anxious ambitious dreamers and hustling freelancers. If you succeed, money, glory and power is yours. If you fail, the world falls apart. Conditions at the workplace are ripe for sexual harassment, more so because victims can be easily silenced.

The shaming movement in the West is so effective because actors are naming offenders.
Actors are vulnerable because they are perennially either looking for or out of work and much too ambitious to risk their careers for a cause. Also, the backlash on the social media is scary. See how Mallika Dua was trolled on Twitter by random people. (The comedienne wrote an open letter, after Akshay Kumar, judge of reality show, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, commented at her, “Aap bell bajao, main aapko bajaata hoon...”) Bollywood is not conducive to an honest conversation about sexual misconduct.

Over 300 women have spoken up in Hollywood and 31 official complaints have been registered so far.
I would like to make a distinction between sexual misconduct, inappropriate remarks and rape. Kevin Spacey has been accussed of attempting to rape a minor. Whenever Bollywood faced a similar situation — the case of Shiney Ahuja comes to mind. The reaction was to quietly allow the law to take its own course. In other cases too, celebs have chosen not to comment, which in some ways is better than slut-shaming the victim or accuser. Ours is a small industry where everyone is friends with or related to someone which makes the task harder. We need to follow the example set by the Malayalam film industry which has instituted an anti-sexual harassment committee after the rape of an actress to create a safer working environment and to get justice.

Have you personally faced harassment on a film set?
Of course. I’ve been propositioned by men who were in a position to cast me. I lost a few roles because I didn’t give in. It made me vulnerable, nervous. Some people even stopped responding to my messages because they knew I would not give in. Being an articulate, educated girl they sensed that I would not take things lying down.

There have been catcalls during shoots and eve-teasing on one of my sets. I’ve been groped by a mob during promotions and during a 56-day outdoor at a remote location, when I was still fairly new, the director harassed me with texts and dinner invites. He stalked me during the day and called me through the night. I was asked to go to his hotel room on the pretext of discussing the scene and would find him drinking. During the first week itself, he started talking about love and sex and one night, arrived in my room, drunk, and asked to be hugged. It was scary! I was young and alone. I would switch off the lights after pack-up and remove my make up in the dark so he would think I was asleep and stop calling me.

Did the harassment stop?
Yeah, after I told him that he was scaring me and making me uncomfortable. I told him I wouldn’t be able to act if this continued. He acted hurt and said I had misunderstood him. He stayed away for two weeks, then he was back to his tricks. I finally confided in the executive producer and made sure that I was escorted everywhere.

What is the best way for an actress to deal with harassment on a film set?
Lose the part but don’t get on the couch. It’s not a feminist choice and it’s certainly not a liberating choice. It’s like giving a bribe and that is succumbing to a wrong.

In Anaarkali Of Aarah, your character sleeps her way to the top. How did you feel playing this role?
Anaarkali Of Aarah is a path breaking film. Anaarkali is a promiscuous, ambitious girl who sleeps with the manager of her troupe to become the lead singer. She’s a grey character, difficult to sympathise with and yet, by the end, you do empathize with her.

There is a dialogue in the film with Anaarkali saying, “I am a whore/slut according to your morals and definition but it is still not okay to molest or harass a girl.” That took the debate away from the girl’s lack of virtues to put the blame squarely on the aggressor. That is what has to happen in real life too. It doesn’t matter what a woman does, she does not want to be touched or propositioned without consent. Period.

Earlier this year, TVF founder-CEO Arunabh Kumar, was forced to step down after several complaints. Bollywood remained a silent spectator through the controversy.
The TVF controversy started a conversation that was long overdue. But the first allegation was an anonymous letter and it is difficult to say anything about an anonymous allegation. What was interesting was that many other girls came forward subsequently, spoke up, giving up their identities. That created a public discourse. We need to stop silencing and start sharing. We need to stop slut-shaming and ask for a collective platform to deal with this issue. We are all guilty of being in the know and remaining silent. And that is complicity.

Itishree Misra (BOMBAY TIMES; May 20, 2017)

Swara Bhaskar on the issues women face in society today, feminism and its misuse...
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; April 29, 2017)

Swara Bhaskar’s last release — Anaarkali Of Aarah — saw her playing a victim of sexual abuse and violence, who finally takes revenge. It’s just a reflection of the society we live in, albeit that it’s not any film and everyone doesn’t have the courage to fight it out, thanks to the societal pressure. In this interview, Swara speaks about the different issues that plague society, especially Indian women today, explains her take on feminism and how people misuse it as well. Over to her...

You played a woman who’s sexually abused in your last film. Have you ever faced something like that?
You tell me who hasn’t been? It is somehow a rite of passage for a passenger in India to be molested. People actually chat about the first time they were molested. Usually, all girls have faced molestation by the time they are around 14-15. That’s how dangerous our society is. I don’t believe you can grow up in any part of the world, and especially in India, without ever being molested by a man. It is not possible. I have been molested. Interestingly, I have been molested and eve-teased in Mumbai as much as I have had to deal with it in Delhi.

The biggest challenge for a woman in a society where you have to be ashamed for what has happened to you, is to fight your impulse. I have done that, I have fought my impulses to make myself react. I have been groped during Prem Ratan Dhan Payo when we landed at Rajkot. I was travelling with Salman Sir and nobody realised, but there were around 2,000 people at the airport to see him. Despite the fact there was security, people got in and it was Anupam Kher who made sure I got into the car. It was crazy. As a female artiste, you know the feeling of being vulnerable in front of a crowd, which is why I connected with my character Anaarkali. You know that when we were shooting the Holi scene in Ranjhanaa, the production has put five boys from the AD team around us in that get-up, to protect us from the rest of the crowd.

Have you ever hit anybody?
Yes, lots of times! The first time, I slapped a guy for pinching me in Old Delhi. There used to be a Sunday book bazaar there, so I caught hold of the guy. These people don’t expect women to react which is why it’s all the more important for women to react. Because the whole mentality of a molester, groper and an eve-teaser is the anonymity and the confidence that the girl won’t react. The moment you instill that fear in their head that the girl may react and she can beat the s**t out of them, they tend to stay away. I have hit people in Delhi, Chennai and sometimes, I have chased people. I have beaten someone with my umbrella in Mumbai. I was in a train alone — this was my first year in Mumbai — going somewhere to collect a cheque. I was in the first-class compartment and it was in the late afternoon so it was empty. A drug addict got in and when I turned around, I see this man masturbating. For one second, I was scared. It took me a second to realise what was going on, I started yelling at him, and beating him with the umbrella. I tried to catch hold of his collar because I knew the moment the train stops, he will run. I knew I can get him to the police if I hold him back. But the moment the train slowed down, he realised I was holding him to get him to the police, and he jumped off from the other end of the compartment.

Do you think victim-shaming is something that women are scared of and hence they prefer to not report serious incidences...
(Cuts in) Absolutely! Frankly, Indian women inherit this collective cultural unconscious — this sense of guilt, shame and dishonour. What do we teach our girl child today? We teach them to be guilty of their own desires, if they shop for themselves it’s wrong. But spend on your husband, your kids, be obedient and think about everybody else’s good except yours. I remember for the longest time, especially when I was growing up, the first time I kissed a guy, I felt ashamed. I felt I did something very wrong and imagine, I was 18 years old then. It wasn’t that I was too young as well. I think Indian girls need to become shameless and a little selfish too. It’s not about individuals, it’s about girls in general. We need to lose that burden of guilt and that ‘haww’ feeling. That is the stupidest feeling ever.

What was the situation in your house when you were growing up?
My parents actually have always been very liberal people. They are very decent, nice understanding and empathetic people. I was 14 when I was just going around with a boy and at that time, going around meant just saying hi to each other during the lunch break. My parents were shocked when I told them ‘I was going around with so and so’. They were like what, where are you going? They were very upset but like I said, when you put something on the table, it suddenly doesn’t become wrong anymore. There was nothing to hide so when the phone calls would come, I would tell them about it. I was a very proper ethical kid and my boyfriends were literally warned to not give me blank calls because that was the scene that time. Papa ne hello bola toh phone rakh dena is not happening, I told everyone. You have to ask for me and you need to have the balls to do that. My dad won’t say no if someone called for me. So, it became normalised and as a daughter, I have told my parents everything. I know a frank conversation can solve everything. This is how the policy of total honesty started with my parents.

They must be really happy about it, given how kids usually are with parents today...
No. Now they feel bad because I feel they don’t want to know so many details about me. (Laughs) If there’s anything that they have to know or the world gets to know about me, they hear it first from me. That’s a rule I follow in life. Now, maybe they are a little sick of it, I guess. They have that ‘do we need to know everything?’ look and feeling nowadays. I tell them all the awkward things through email.

What’s your take on feminism? Or do you think it’s misinterpreted by most women today?
I think there’s a lot of misuse of the word feminism. I don’t think if people even understand it. It’s not about getting special rights for women or getting more rights than men. Not about cutting the balls off men. That is all bullsh**. Feminism believes that men and women should be free of gender constraints. Their sex should not determine what their aspirations, personalities or their opportunities are in life. So, a woman shouldn’t always be pressured to be a woman, a man also shouldn’t constantly be asked to ‘Be a man’. Feminism is equally fighting for men — to be free of masculinity. If there’s a pressure of patriarchy on women, there’s also a huge pressure that patriarchy puts on men — to be manly, masculine in a certain way. I don’t think feminism is about being a nasty person. It’s about getting rights for women in general collectively. If you don’t have any feeling of sisterhood about women, how are you even a feminist? You have to be able to be friends with other women. Equally, feminism is not about just burning bras because these are all symbolic things that happened in the ’60s or something. It’s done, it’s over with. It’s much misunderstood term.

Are you a feminist?
Yes, I am a feminist. I’m a balanced person, I don’t want special rights for women. And I know a lot of people call out feminists for fake dowry cases. But all I will say is a truly feminist person will never ever file a fake dowry case. There can be nothing more damaging for feminism than to misuse laws that are meant to protect women.

Itishree Misra (BOMBAY TIMES; January 13, 2017)

Swara Bhaskar talks love, relationships, living-in, marriage and more...
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; December 3, 2016)

Whether it’s Ranjhanaa or Nil Battey Sannata, Swara Bhaskar’s performances have always been applauded. Now, she has attempted something absolutely different — It’s Not That Simple — a web series with an unusual, but urban take on marriages, relationships and extra-marital affairs! Swara is herself in a happy and settled space with boyfriend Himanshu Sharma. In this interview, the actress gets candid about her relationship with her boyfriend, her marriage plans and why there will always be a fun debate between her and Himanshu. Excerpts:

What made you jump on board a web series?
I think the audience is shifting to digital content, if one goes by the kind of stuff that’s working on the Internet. As actors, we don’t think that we will act differently for films or TV or a web series. My acting will remain the same. It’s Not That Simple is young, fresh and again something I haven’t done ever before. It’s a relationship drama in a space I have never attempted. It’s heavy on the anglicised side of it. When they pitched it to me, it was an instinctive yes right away.

But it’s a completely different medium...
Yes, it’s more intimate — something you’d watch with your headphones on. It’s not like you are walking into a cinema hall with 200 other people to watch the film. It was interesting to explore it. Other than that, the show is a great take on relationships, marriage and on modern, urban life. It was great fun and I also had my first on screen kiss...

Was the first screen kiss awkward?
I didn’t know whether I was excited or nervous about it. I felt very hassled about it! (Smiles). When you are not in love with someone, it’s just about putting your mouth on someone else’s mouth. But we have do it because a good actor can do anything between action and cut. But then again, we also have to be careful that there’s a life before action and after cut. So, we need to be careful about everything because it’s going to have an effect on your personal life for sure.

Most actresses who are in a relationship refuse to liplock on screen...
I’m lucky because Himanshu is from the industry and he’s a writer himself. Though he’s never written a make-out scene! But he is someone who theoretically understands how scripts are written. You can’t create a show about extra marital affairs and not show the affair! Temperamentally, he’s a very understanding, patient and rational person. Had Himanshu not been a writer, he would still have had the same reaction that he did. The only thing he actually told me was to be careful what I do it for. The act of intimate scenes or taking your clothes off can mean one thing in a Martin Scorcese film and it will turn out to be a legendary scene. But the same scene, in the hands of a different director can seem B-grade. That is the biggest challenge for sure. But I looked at Danish and the team, I trusted them and I think I was completely right in my judgment.

Do you believe in the institution of marriage vs a live-in relationship?
I have been in a live-in relationship, but I haven’t been married. The thing with a live-in is that you are basically married, except for the paperwork. The routine is exactly like that of a married couple. I mean what is marriage than two people sharing a home or life? When I was living-in, both our families knew and we were close to each other’s family. It was not any different from a marriage. Also, urban living in modern India is slowly changing the institutions, the values. But I believe in marriage because I believe in family. My strongest support and the reason why I am still rational and not flipping insane is because of my family. I want to be married and have a family.

When is that likely to happen?
I haven’t thought about it. Himanshu and I have discussed marriage, but we both still don’t know when. I just know that I want my marriage to be a huge party, like a massive affair. I want to have lots of days, lots of functions and lots of gaana-bajaana. I want to be drunk for the entirety of it. When I told my mother, she was shocked. She said, ‘Chhi beta, who talks like this? How shameful.’ But I don’t care, I will be drunk from the first day to the last day. (Bursts out laughing) I have a lot of friends abroad and I want them to come for my shaadi. I have all these plans, but there’s no timeline so sometimes, I worry the person should be the same. We joke about this too and we’re very different temperamentally..

Like what?
He wants to get married in court without any taam jhaam. And I’m like, I’m getting married. Swara Bhaskar is retiring from the playing field and there won’t be any taam jhaam? (Laughs) It has to be a party and how! I need to go out with a bang.

How did you meet Himanshu?
On the sets of Tanu Weds Manu. Then there was Raanjhanaa and Tanu Weds Manu Returns too. I was in a state of love with the character during Raanjhanaa. I had always admired him but I felt he was special during that film. We became friends during Raanjhanaa and we got together at the end of Tanu Weds Manu Returns.

But who popped the question?
He feels that I did and I feel he did. This is a huge debate between him and me. (Laughs) He started flirting with me and I was responding. But he claimed that I made the first move. I have also pictured that that we will end up together and this debate will go till we have our grandchildren. Then we would be telling them, ‘Beta, nana or dada had proposed me first. And he will just say the opposite.’ (Laughs) But it’s him, he started it!

In her web series debut, the actress who plays a conflicted wife makes a strong case for affairs outside of marriage
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 4, 2016)

Swara Bhaskar is making her web series debut with the unabashedly raunchy It’s Not That Simple in which she portrays a married woman making a strong case for extra-marital sex.

“I play a woman torn between duty and desires. Most Indian women encounter this conflict at some point in life. Women are taught to feel responsible for the family’s all-round well-being but my character is flawed, like all human beings, and therein lays her redemption,” she informed Mirror.

Given the show’s bold theme, was it difficult to shoot lovemaking scenes with co-stars Vivan Bhatena, Karan Veer Mehra and Akshay Oberoi? “I told my director, Danish Aslam, what I was comfortable doing and asked for a completely closed set. He was very understanding and sensitive. Two of my stylists were present throughout,” said the 30-year-old actress, confessing that she was nervous and uncomfortable before the cameras rolled but could joke about it once it got over.

Ask her if her personal take on infidelity aligns with her new project’s ethos and Swara clarifies, “I think everyone has to decide what works for them. I’m not married and so I’m in no position to impart advice. To me, the problem with an extramarital affair is not in the sex but in the lies. If you find yourself lying consistently, there’s something wrong with your marriage. I must add that it’s a riskier territory for women because they are judged more harshly than men.”

Mirror had earlier reported (June 1) that the actress is moving in with her beau, Tanu Weds Manu writer Himanshu Sharma into an apartment at Yari Road. All ensuing shaadi-related queries are quashed down with a practiced ease. “I believe in family and marriage and I hope I turn out to be a good wife. But I feel men should be asked what kind of husbands they would make too, why should the onus of any relationship be only on the woman? Whenever I get married, I hope the other person plays his role equally well. However, marriage is not on the cards right now. In my flights of fancy, I plan a destination wedding but it’s always with just me and imaginary guests,” the actress signs off with a chuckle.

From playing a jilted lover to a mother, Swara Bhaskar has happily taken the road less preferred to make a mark
Ritambhara Dixit (BOMBAY TIMES; August 19, 2016)

The actor fondly remembers shooting with the late Farooq Sheikh, his quick wit, charm and generosity
As told to Ektaa Malik (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 13, 2015)

Upala KBR (DNA; September 21, 2015)


Says a source, “Swara’s film Nil Battey Sannata, will be screened as the opening gala film at the festival. She’s great friends with Sonam and while discussing the festival with her, happened to mention how she’d like to make an impactful appearance there. Sonam was happy to extend her support and suggested that Rhea and she style her for the festival.”

Laughs Swara when asked about the Kapoor sisters styling her. “I think Sonam has a huge social activist streak in her and I happen to be her first project. I thought it was very sweet of her to style me. We were shooting for Prem Ratan Dhan Payo when I got the news that my film is being screened at SRIFF. There was this usual girl talk with us cribbing about clothes when Sonam asked me what I was going to wear to the event. When we meet at social events she’s always ribbing me, ‘Swara what are you wearing, what is this outfit?’ Now she said, ‘Swara, I am styling you for this film festival.’ I thought she was joking, but she wasn’t! Sonam called me again and made me speak to Rhea who put me in touch with designer Chandni Wahabi who works with Sonam and styles her.”

Swara tells us that even as we speak, she is in the middle of trials. “I have never spent so much time and energy on styling myself. There are four events to go for and I am trusting Sonam, Rhea and Chandni completely to style me perfectly. I just have to listen to what they tell me as there is no scope for going wrong. The discussions and judgment of this team’s fashion sense is fabulous. Apart from the fact that Sonam is a fashion icon she’s also a good friend and I trust her to put my interests ahead of everything else.”

Talking about her equation with Sonam, Swara says, “Our friendship started from Raanjhanaa and grew stronger in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. It’s been great working with her. She won me over in Raanjhanaa. Working with her again in PRDP confirmed everything that I felt about her again. She’s a good girl. Everyone in that family has their hearts in the right place.”

So now can we expect Sonam and Rhea to become her permanent stylists? Swara smiles, “What they are doing for me is a sweet gesture and I know that tomorrow if I need Sonam’s opinion for anything on fashion I will just need to send a picture and she will revert.”

Swara Bhaskar gets ready to have a working birthday on the sets of Tanu Weds Manu Returns
Sneha Mahadevan (DNA; April 9, 2015)


Though it will be a working birthday, her mother’s presence is enough to light up her day. “I have bullied my mother to visit me so she will be arriving in the morning and leaving by end of the day,” she says.

So what do you usually celebrate birthdays, we ask? “Well, if I am in Delhi, it is more of a family affair where the focus is on food. If I am in Mumbai, then there is a lot of live music and friends. Birthdays are all about good food and good music,” she explains. Any special birthday gifts? “I can’t even begin to tell you how hooked I am to these online shopping portals. I have crossed all my limits last month and blew up a lot of money. All those things I ordered for, are still arriving so I have lots of birthday gifts.”

She doesn’t believe in resolutions but she is drawing up a list of things she wants to strike off her bucket list. “I wish to travel. I want to finish reading five books. I want to watch a couple of classic films. I also want to learn to cook. Basically, I intend to become a wholesome person. Oh, and I also want to do an item number,” she reveals. Just as she ends her list she adds, “From this year onwards, I am going to start lying about my age. I will always add a couple of candles less to my cakes so nobody knows how old I actually am.”

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 20, 2015)

Swara Bhaskar's mother, Ira Bhaskar, was in the news recently for speaking out against government intervention in clearing Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insaan's MSG: The Messenger despite the objections of Board members like her. This eventually lead to her stepping down. Now, Ira's 27-year-old daughter is gearing up to punch Salman Khan.

No, this is not a PJ. Swara who plays a princess and Salman's younger sister in Sooraj Barjatya's Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, has to push the actor around and even punch him.

"Like any brother-sister duo there's a lot of sibling rivalry between us in reel life which at one point results in me getting physical. I'm really nervous about the scene. Once this gets out, his fans will probably land up on the sets to beat me," she points out.

It was Salman's sister Alvira Agnihotri, the stylist on the film, who recommended Swara to her brother and Sooraj. And bhai immediately adopted his 'new sister', getting her dabbas from his own kitchen. "Like in the film, I shared Maharaja meals with him. The fish curry and prawns were healthy and yummy,"she reminisces, licking her lips.

They've already filmed a song together which marks a turning point in their on-screen relationship. "I have an exceptional entry and I can't wait for people to see it," says Swara. But before that she will be shooting for two weeks, followed by another 20 days of filming. "That's when I will have to pummel Salman,"she shivers. "I was really surprised that he's never thrown a tantrum on the sets and when I pointed this out to him he laughed and said, 'I will throw a tantrum after you punch me!'."