Actress Girija Oak Godbole has opened up about her experience filming an intimate scene with actor Gulshan Devaiah for their upcoming web series ‘Therapy Sherapy’. In a candid chat with The Lallantop, Girija praised her co-star’s exceptional professionalism and empathy, describing how he went the extra mile to make her feel completely at ease during the shoot.

Girija explained that while intimacy coordinators and pre-shoot discussions help in establishing a safe space, filming such scenes can still feel uncertain once the cameras start rolling.

“In a series or film, whenever there’s an intimacy scene, intimacy coordinators are generally present on set. The whole atmosphere is such that you feel comfortable. Beforehand, there are discussions about what we’re going to do, how we’re going to do it, what will be seen and what won’t. You have a complete picture of it,” she said.

However, she acknowledged that even with preparation, some situations can feel ambiguous. “Once the camera starts rolling, sometimes you get stuck in a dilemma of whether to stop it or not, whether it was right or not. It’s a very grey zone,” she added.

Girija went on to highlight how Gulshan’s sensitivity as a co-actor made all the difference during the process. “No matter how much you plan or discuss beforehand, there are very few people with whom you don’t feel even a milligram of discomfort. Gulshan is one of them,” she said.

Depicting emotional disconnect

The actress shared that the scene in question involved a married couple whose intimacy had become routine and detached. “It was a sequence where the husband and wife make love like it’s just another job – like doing laundry or paying bills. There’s no passion, no emotion, just routine. We were wearing full clothes; there was no nudity. It was more about the emotional disconnect than the act itself,” she clarified.

A gesture of respect and care

Recalling Gulshan’s considerate gestures on set, Girija revealed that he made every effort to ensure she was comfortable. “From his vanity van, he brought three to four types of pillows – one small, one big and fluffy, another stiff. He placed them in front of me and said, ‘Look, which one will be comfortable for you?’ We tried them and chose one that felt right. During the scene, he must have asked me at least 16 or 17 times, ‘Are you okay?’” she shared.

When one of the props caused discomfort mid-shoot, Gulshan immediately offered her the choice to adjust or remove it. “He said, ‘If you want to remove it, I have no problem. I’m okay with it.’ That level of respect and care really touched me,” she added.

Girija concluded by expressing deep admiration for Gulshan Devaiah’s professionalism and empathy, noting that his approach transformed what could have been an uncomfortable scene into a respectful and secure experience.

“This could have been a very difficult situation for someone else, but it was only because it was Gulshan that I felt so comfortable. I can even talk about it openly now because he made me feel that safe. It’s just amazing that he’s that kind of person,” she said.

Gulshan Devaiah was last seen in the blockbuster ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’, where he portrayed a menacing antagonist and is currently enjoying the film’s success.