The actress ventured into Mumbai’s red-light district before landing a role in the film.
AB Wire
Prior to auditioning for her role in the film “Sold,” Seira Royin, who also served as an associate producer, traveled to India and personally ventured into the red-light district of Kamathipura — the oldest in Mumbai — where she was shocked by the manner in which she was treated by men who assumed she was a prostitute. The eye-opening experience not only helped her glean insight into her character, but also provided her with a sense of purpose. Following the April 21 Washington, DC, premiere of the movie at George Washington University, Royin, who is best-known for “Voodoo Dolly” (2006), “Arizona Seaside” (2007) and “Cattle Call” (2006), recounted some of her experiences working on the film for the American Bazaar. Here are edited excerpts:
You went great lengths to be Part of this project. Please share with us that story?
I flew myself to Mumbai before I did my audition because I thought a movie like this you have to bring very authentic voice to the character. And I was not aware of a red-light district in India. My experience in India was very different. I had only seen the very polite and respectful side of India. So I went to Kamathipura and I walked at night, which is quite dangerous. I hired a camera crew, which is illegal, to walk with me. They were in a jeep with blacked-out windows. I had one person walking beside me who is a male and everyone assumed because it was night time and I was walking there I also was a prostitute. And they thought that he was my pimp. So they would approach him and solicit what the deal would be. You know these were the same men who earlier in the day, on any other street would have treated me with so much of respect and courtesy. But just because I was on that street at night, it was very different reality. You know they felt to take the liberty of touching my arm, grabbing my hair, treating me just like I was an object that I didn’t even have the right to speak with them. That was an eye opening experience. but I brought it back with me because I then i could actually approach the subject with a little more knowledge. Then I met with Jeffry and I shared with him the video. I think he thought I was very brave for being able to do that. And I think that he saw how committed I was to being a part of this issue and finding solutions. And then I started working with him and I did my audition and he called me and said I’m giving you the role.
Did it help you during the audition?
It helped me very much, because it also gave me a purpose. It became much more than an actress winning a role. For me I realized the part that I would play is being the voice of the girls that I had met who did not have a voice. So then it took on a very different meaning, the entire project took on a very different meaning. And so I think every time I have done any kind of interview, or any type of Q and A I remember that I am speaking for those girls who are not being heard.
How was your experience working with the cast?
It was wonderful. You know I played the role of Mrs. Tripathi,who is a good person in the film. She is working in the NGO, trying to rescue the girls. So for me it was wonderful experience because my co-stars in the film are Gillian Anderson [and] David Arquette who have a western background from acting. But then we also co-starred with Parambrata Chatterjee, who is a big star in India. What was amazing is that, every time we would have a few minutes break, Parambrata Chatterjee would be absolutely surrounded by hundreds of screaming girls, because they would see him, they would go crazy, and Gillian and David would ask me, “Who is this guy?” So, I think the stardom in India, the way they revere their actors, is so much greater than what we experience in Hollywood. And it was wonderful to work with such big named actors and see them do their work and kind of do this as a collaborative work. So, it was amazing.
You are also part of the film’s marketing campaign…
I’ve gone all over the world with this film and I feel very lucky to able to do that. I am also an associate producer on this film. So I have even more of a personal journey with it. And also being an Indian American actress, it’s a very personal journey for me because this story takes place in India [and] it is a subject matter that taking placing all over the world. And we are very clear about making that distinction that this movie is not about pointing out something that is negative about India. It is not a story that is trying to point fingers that anything that’s happening in India. It is bringing to light an issue that affects everyone around the world. This story just happens to takes place in India. So I feel like, being an Indian actress, I get to speak about that issue too, which is important to me.
Do you plan to go to India for the release of the movie?
I would love to be in India. I think bringing this movie home to India will be an amazing honor. And I do believe that it will be well received. You know this movie is done with so much heart and hope. And I think everyone who is a part of this given their best. So I think every time we’ve done a film screening at an Indian film festival they have applauded. We have received standing ovations; we have been embraced by the community. So bringing at home to India I think would be a wonderful honor.
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1 Comment
Hi, Sierah Royin. This Kailasnath astrologer writing from Kerala India. Do you remember me? You , your Father and myself met once some years ago.
kailasnathastro@gmail.com