When Ajay Devgan made the Hindi remake of Gujarati film Vash, Shaitan, with a new star cast, he could not replace the lead actress of the film, Janaki Bodiwala. Janaki won the hearts of the audience of both Gujarati and Hindi languages in the role of Arya in Vash and Jahnvi in Shaitan. Now she is going to be seen in Vash Level 2. It is the sequel of Vash which came in 2023. The film is releasing in theatres on 27 August 2025.
During this, she openly talked about her experience of working in Bollywood and Gujarati films, the difference between the two industries. Janaki admitted that in regional cinema, there is complete freedom to make films on different types of content, whereas in Bollywood, this is not possible to a great extent.
You Are From A Medical Background, So How Did You Suddenly Come Into Films?
I was going to be a doctor with a background. But I did not complete my studies. During this time, I met my director Krishnadev Yagnik (director of Deyu film) who gave me recognition in Gujarat. It was his decision that he wanted to cast me in his first film. And he also made the film Vash for which not only did I get recognition all over the country, but also got a National Award.
Right Now You Are Working In Vash 2 Which Is Releasing In Hindi. Later, It Is Possible That You Will Also Be In The Sequel Of Shaitan, So How Challenging Will It Be For You At That Time, Because People Would Have Already Seen Vash 2?
The ending of Shaitan was different from the Gujarati film Vash. So, maybe he will create a different universe of his own. Although I do not know much about it, but yes, I enjoyed working in both the films, it was a lot of fun. I worked with such big actors, I also got to learn a lot.
How Do You See The Development Of Gujarat Film Industry?
The good thing about regional cinema is that we have the space to try different kinds of content. In regional cinema, we have a freedom and that is why we can create a lot of new things. I like this thing about regional cinema a lot.
Be It Hindi Or Gujarati, You Got A Chance To Work With Many Senior Actors. How Was Your Experience?
When I came to know that Hitu Kanodia (well-known actor of Gujarati cinema) is going to play the role of my father in the film and Hiten Kumar will also be in the film, I was shaken from within.
Actually, when such big actors are working with you, you have to perform. In such a situation, I also had no other option but to perform. But here also the credit for my success goes to my director who conducted workshops to teach me and gave me the confidence that I can do it.
How Was Your Experience Working With Ajay Devgan?
The experience of working with him was also very good. I did not expect that he would make me feel at that level of comfort, because it was my first Hindi film. The way I got treatment from people there, especially from the actors, was very good and memorable. They did not let me feel that I am a newcomer. I got to learn a lot there and I will apply the learnings from all these senior artists in my future films.
