I had to believe I was a eunuch: Narayani Shastri

It’s the sort of role not many glam girls would take up. But Narayani Shastri, who plays a eunuch in Marathi film ‘Runh’, didn’t hesitate a bit when she was offered the role.

“In fact, when director Vishal Gaikwad approached me, he said, ‘I’m really sorry, I have come to you with the role of a eunuch’. But I was totally fine about it. I always go by my gut feeling and I liked the story, which is about a eunuch who looks lady-like; she helps a college guy financially and ends up falling in love with him.”

Apart from the loud makeup, the actress had to put on 12 kilos to look the part. “I looked too dainty for the role, hence I began hogging and stopped exercising altogether. I got a lot of flak for gaining weight, but I couldn’t tell people that I was doing it for a film, because at times, movies can get canned. Also, I don’t like jinxing a project by talking about it.”

Narayani shifted from South Mumbai to the suburbs 12 years ago and her interaction with a group of eunuchs began then. “I would often chat with them at signals and during festivals give them saris. Little did I know that my interaction with them would one day help me in my work. But this one’s been the most challenging role I have done so far. I had to believe I was a eunuch,” says the actress, who apart from TV shows, has acted in two Marathi films and played the lead ina Hindi film.

But does she fear not being offered any glam roles after this? “No. Why should that happen? I am not going to stop partying, so people will continue seeing me in that avatar as well,” she laughs.