Yami Gautam recently talked about the pressure to network at popular Bollywood parties.
Actor Yami Gautam, despite being a successful actress, has always kept a low-key profile despite her stardom. At most times, she has clarified that she isn’t comfortable with socialising even when she has been told to ‘market’ herself better as she wants her work to speak for herself.
In a recent interview with Ranveer Allahabadia, Yami talked about her journey in Mumbai as an actor and revealed that she is often faced with the pressure to network at popular Bollywood parties.
“This city tests you and breaks you. There was this time in my life — I have a piece of land in Himachal Pradesh, and I thought that I would take up farming, if this film does not work.” Yami said while adding that in her career in 2018-2019, she had witnessed many lows after the success of ‘Vicky Donor’. “I told my mother if this film does not work, I would just come back. I am happy with acting and roles, but the process tests you — the people, the process, and the unspoken culture, notions,” she said.
She further added that she is not able to ‘market’ herself. “Why do you have to tell people you are a good actor? But for the longest time I was told to network, and socialise. This isn’t bad, but there are people like me who aren’t comfortable. Why should I go to a party to have a conversation just to get work? If you like it, go ahead — I am not judging,” Yami added.
She further talked about the Bollywood parties and networking pressure, and added, “They would say, ‘I don’t like this, I don’t like parties and I like to get togethers…’ and yet they all turn up at the same place. I am not judging anyone. That was the pressure—not the pressure to work.” She acknowledged the benefits of networking at Bollywood parties and events, but mentioned how her PR skills were not very strong.
Yami Gautam has starred in several critically acclaimed films, including ‘Thursday’ and ‘Uri: the Surgical Strike’. She last featured in 'Lost', which premiered on Zee5.