Ritika Singh urges for safety on film sets; says trustworthy drivers, bouncers are a must

In a candid conversation with Mathrubhumi, actor Ritika Singh, who predominantly works in the Telugu film industry, talks about her journey from the martial arts mat to the silver screen, and her latest role as Meenakshi in Sony LIV's web series 'Bench Life'. But that's not all - Ritika also delves into her unforgettable experience of sharing screen space with the legendary Rajinikanth in the upcoming film 'Vettiyan', and her passion for striking a balance between her acting career and her identity as a sportswoman.

With unflinching honesty, she discusses her views on women's safety and the importance of self-defence, while also addressing the industry's perception of her athletic physique, which has led some to label her as 'manly'.

Read excerpts from the exclusive chat:

Q. What convinced you to play Meenakshi’s character in ‘Bench Life’?

I was very excited to play a director on the screen - somebody who wants to be a director, somebody who has that fire inside her. Obviously, the parents and the society would want you to go for a secure job but when it comes to being a director, especially for a woman, it’s a completely different ball game. There is no timing set for your job or confirmation that you will get a particular project/opportunity. You have to fight for it; there’s a lot of struggle. I liked that aspect about the character. I wanted to portray somebody who has that aspiration.

Q. Did you, like Meenakshi, encounter obstacles while pursuing your dreams?

I started sports very young. I was only three years old when I started practising karate. Before I even went to school, I went to a karate class. I grew up watching my father, who is also my guru. Later, my brother also joined. We’re like a karate family. I still teach kids (karate) at my academy where I go to. While I was growing up, I always had an inclination towards sports. At the same time, I was also good at studies. But once I got in college and university, you know you get distracted and think ‘who is going to study, and that i don’t want to focus so much on the studies,’ after which I shifted my focus completely to sports. I too had that time when people were saying “what kind of a sports Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is, what future does it have, how will she make money, she is a girl, she’ll break her face” and all of that. I have also fought my fight, and somehow fighting that, I ended up being an actor. It’s been quite a journey for me also.

Q. What sets apart ‘Bench Life’ from other series in the similar genre?

It deals with some very relevant and hard-hitting issues in a very light way. It doesn’t get too heavy for the viewer because right now, a lot of content that is coming out is mostly intense, heavy stuff, thriller or a murder revenge story. It requires a lot of brain to sit and watch. This (‘Bench Life’) is more like you can sit back and enjoy; it’s a fun and easy watch. It’s light on your palette, and at the same time, it’s relevant. Relevant issues dealt with light humour is what sets it apart.

Q. How was it working on the sets of ‘Bench Life’?

We did enjoy working together. Whenever we were on the set, we always had a great time. But there was no time to dilly-dally. It was a very focused set because Manasa, who is a debutante director, has a lot of hopes and dreams riding on her shoulders and from the production house as well. She had to deliver the project. She was under a lot of pressure. So we could not really sit back and relax but we still enjoyed the ride. We flew fast, we flew hard, and it was great.

Q. Did you feel intimidated while working with legends like Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan in ‘Vettiyan’?

I was crying. When the director called me, I obviously could not show how emotionally overwhelmed I was. I’m a very excited person, so I had to tone it down. I was almost on the verge of crying when that call happened. At that time, I did not have the confirmation because in this industry, things can be volatile. Sometimes you get a project, sometimes suddenly they’ll kick you out, replace you with someone else, and sometimes they won’t even inform you. All these things happen to actors. So we go through a lot. I said to myself, “It’s ok, don’t get too excited. Let the official confirmation come. Let the casting be announced and then we’ll celebrate.” So, the day it was officially announced, I went to my karate academy and we had a small cake cutting ceremony. I genuinely wasn’t intending on crying in public but I ended up breaking down in front of everyone. It was a huge thing! Sharing screen with Rajinikath Sir and Amitabh Sir, is what dreams are made of! How many people can say that they had such an opportunity? It’s phenomenal, and I feel so blessed.

Q. Can you reveal a little about your character in ‘Vettiyan’?

Unfortunately, I can’t because right now they haven’t even revealed the teaser of the film. The only thing they have released is a song between Manju Warrier and Rajini Sir. The song is great, it’s fun, but I can’t say more than that because even the teaser isn’t out yet.

Q. What were the things you learned while working with these legendary actors in ‘Vettiyan’ that helped you as an actor?

What I learned from Rajini Sir is stillness. It was the calm that all of us are missing right now. Even if you go to a yoga class or meditate, right now the life that we’re living is of being constantly on the phone. When we are on social media, we tend to compare ourselves with the journeys of others. You subconsciously end up running in a rat race that you don’t even want to be a part of. What I learned from him was stillness. After giving his shot, he would not go back to his van. He would just come and sit out in the open. He would just sit - not be on his phone or read a book - he would simply sit. When was the last time our generation just sat? I was in school when I would just sit at my window and look at people passing by. All that we have stopped doing. We are so consumed by what content is coming out next or what is going viral on social media; this is what life has become for us. That stillness if I can achieve, even for a few minutes of the day where I’m doing nothing, will be a massive achievement. That’s what I have learned from him.

Q. From your debut movie to now, how do you look at your career trajectory?

I feel like I have played so many varied and different characters. Not one character of mine is the same. Nothing repeats itself; I’ve managed to keep it that way. Even a few months back, I had a release in Telugu. Not publicised much, it was called ‘Valari.’ There I played a double role, a mother’s character. I never thought I could be so nurturing or motherly. But when I played the role and saw the playback, I was stunned. You get to meet so many sides of you that you otherwise might not have. Right now, god knows that I’m not ready to get married or have kids for the next five-six years. I would not have known that I have those (motherly) qualities in me, had I not played the character. I know a lot of actors say that, and it sounds very cliche at this point, but for me, I’m getting to learn so much about myself through these roles that I’m doing.

Q. Will you continue as a sportswoman, or will you drop it for being an actor?

When I was shooting for ‘Bench Life,’ I was also shooting for ‘Valari.’ While I was already juggling those two shoots, I also had a release in Tamil around the same time. Back then, I was also preparing myself for the karate world championship. This was in July. I, in fact, went to South Africa last year and competed in the tournament. I still actively compete. I don’t think I can live without sports. I genuinely think that I will lose myself if I stop practising martial arts or going to my academy. I’m never going to leave my sports background; I’ll forever balance both fields.

Q. What are your thoughts on women safety in the film industry?

It’s unfortunate! There are so many stands and stances that I wish men took. They have the freedom to pick. You can choose to not let things be a certain way but unfortunately, sometimes men don’t do that. I always say this, as women, as young girls, or even as children, I think throughout the nation, self-defence or martial arts training needs to be a part of the curriculum. As a country we have so much potential to grow. Our manpower and human resources are our biggest strength. I wish we could utilise that and keep our women safe. Women doctors and nurses are serving the nation; they are serving us. Their lives should be at the top priority and safety. But to see that they are going through all of this, is heartbreaking. There are so many stories from the villages that we don’t even get to hear about. We all need to equip ourselves. I was talking to somebody the other day, mentioning that there are so many times that people in the industry, or in general, find it so easy to call me manly. Just because I practise martial arts or that I am a strong empowered woman, it is so easy for you to say I’m manly, whereas I’m not. I believe I’m a beautiful feminine girl who is still trying to understand my femininity because my whole life I’ve had to be strong. It is because of the world that we live in; I had to protect myself. Call me manly; if me being called manly ensures my safety, I’m more than happy to be called a man. It bothers me when girls come to me and say “Ma’am if we do too much karate or kickboxing, will our shoulders become too big or will we look like men?” I say even if people tell you that you look manly, go for it because right now it is the need of the hour. I don’t wish this upon anybody but if something happens, who will come and save you? Nobody is going to come and save you. People will, in fact, take their phones and start recording it. That is the world we are living in. we have to protect ourselves. Women, of course, are not physically as strong as men, if you make comparisons, but the least we can do is to learn how to defend ourselves.

Q. As an actor, how do you think the film industry can become a safer place for women?

In the movie industry, we have a lot of off timing. We work at night or during the day. Sometimes the shoot gets over at 3 AM, so we walk alone. Maybe we can have bouncers on the sets. My sets do have bouncers. When I go from the van to the sets, there will be somebody walking with me. That is something that we can do to ensure that all the girls on the set are safe. Have people to escort you. Suppose the shoot is wrapping up at 3 o'clock (in the night) and maybe there are women ADs, female costume designers, make-up artists, or hair stylists, may be put them in a group or give them trust-worthy drivers, and put a bouncer with them so that they can all be escorted to their homes safely. That is something that we can all incorporate. Right now, whatever set that I have worked on, they at least have these facilities. Not all, but mostly.