I actually spoke about it long back, but guess people have started taking me seriously only after Cannes. When Sajin Baabu approached me with Biriyaani‘s script, I didn’t think he was trying to be Islamophobic, but I did feel that the audience might interpret Islam in a negative way. When I shared my concerns, he said this was his story and that his intention was to oppose patriarchy. Though I was aware of his intentions, I wasn’t pleased with the film’s release in the country’s current political climate. I was also unhappy with my character; she was continuously facing hurdles and I didn’t feel right about it. I told Sajin that aesthetically and politically, this isn’t my kind of film. He might not have consciously intended it to be Islamophobic, but the way it was written and shot, just like many others, I too felt like it could be interpreted as such. But there are people, like Sajin, who also view it from a different lens. He is the filmmaker and I, as an artist, only had the choice of whether to be a part of it or not. Irrespective of the actor, Sajin was going to present it in his own way.
I’ve had similar problems — either moral or personal conflicts — with most of my projects, except maybe a couple. Since Biriyaani was being made on a small scale, I was hoping that it wouldn’t reach a wide audience. Regarding criticism, I think it came at the wrong time. However, I believe that we should take accountability for our actions. I know a lot of artists who protect their integrity and I look up to them with respect. But as an actor, if I work based on my integrity, I might not get projects regularly. If the need arises, I might do it again, but if I’m financially stable enough to be choosy, then I might not do it.