Mandira Bedi recalls getting 'at least 10 cop and 5-6 negative roles' after cutting her hair short: 'Just think about it

Mandira Bedi opened up on how offers for roles changed as she started wearing her hair short. Here's what she has said.

Actor Mandira Bedi has spoken about the roles that she was offered earlier after she cut her hair short. In a new interview, she also revealed that things have changed for her now as she is offered roles of a 'strong modern woman'. The actor also recalled an incident where the person giving her a haircut asked if she was sure about her decision. Mandira added that she like short hair but if she is offered a role that requires her to grow her hair, she will then consider it.

Mandira Bedi opened up on how offers for roles changed as she started wearing her hair short.

Mandira Bedi cut her hair short a few years ago, while she was doing a reality show. The audience has seen her in long curly hair while she was playing the lead role in the 1994 television serial Shanti. She also sported long straight hair for several serials including Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (2001-2003) and films such as Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). Currently, Mandira sports a pixie hairdo.

In an interview with Pinkvilla, Mandira said, “When I decided to cut my hair, the person who was cutting it asked me, 'Are you sure?' and, I had decided because I was so fed up with my long hair because of straightening, curling and all. So, when she asked if I am sure, I said yes and it will grow back anyway. She still gave me shoulder-length hair and she asked me to come back tomorrow if I want to cut them more and I came back home. Then, I reached the salon before it even opened and asked the lady to cut my hair shorter…I have had short hair for the last 12 years now and it’s been a long time.”

She further added, “The short hair also defines me and the kind of roles, I got ever since I have cut my hair, that’s against stereotyping that happened. I have been offered at least 10 cop roles, at least 5-6 negative woman character roles… Just think about it, either a cop or a negative character…Now, people cast me to play a strong modern woman so short hair means a lot of things. I like short hair and I’ll keep it as long as I want and if something comes up to me that is required to grow them, I’ll think about that.”

In an interview with Hindustan Times in 2017, Mandira had spoken about her hair and featuring as the protagonist of shows. “The protagonist would never have short hair, unless it is for roles such as a cop or a journalist. Short hair is reserved for the questionable characters, the vamps," she had said.

Speaking about her short hair while she took up a show, she had said, "I wasn’t even playing a character, and yet the production house insisted that I wear a wig. I had to wear it but thankfully they realized that I looked better without it. People have a limited vision. While abroad actors such as Halle Berry have done many positive roles, we still associate short hair with negative characters. The good woman, who makes all the sacrifices is always the one with long hair."