In a recent interview with India Today Digital, actress Tillotama Shome recalled her experience of attending award shows back in the day. After starting his career with Monsoon Wedding, the actor received praise for his performances in projects like Sir, Delhi Crime 2, Qissa and A Death in the Gunj. Recently his web series The Night Manager also received a nomination at the 52nd International Emmy Awards.

As she prepares to attend the event next month, Shome shared how she initially felt awkward attending award shows in India. The actor said that she usually attended these functions with friends as her plus one.

“It was very strange because I felt like I didn’t belong there. It increased my feelings of being an outsider. And because I would be there with someone, the people entering wouldn’t know whether they should let me in or No. I did it to finally show up for it. Experiencing all this would bring up all my insecurities, and I would be left wondering why I wasted my evening, which I could have spent with a loved one. It was not a good feeling for me. That’s when I decided that I will participate in the show only when I have work, I don’t want to be seen like this.”

He also told how After Sir, the industry changed its perception towards himThanking director Rohena Gera, Shome said she attributed the film’s success to the audience: “They had the film, they made it. The love I got for Sir showed the power of a story, and How can it reach people’s hearts? After that I started getting awards and recognition, it was a big moment and it was such an encouragement to the family. And stood by my unconventional choices and believed in me. Whatever award came after that, I took it to my parents and they kept it in our house in Calcutta for everyone to see.”

The actor said that over the past two years, filmmakers have seen him take on different roles, a battle he had to fight for many years. “Since I did Monsoon Wedding as my first project, people would only see me in roles of a woman with a deprived or pitiful spirit, coming from a certain social milieu; a tragic person. It took me a long time to get over that. Out of the picture, and Tanuj Chopra’s Delhi Crime 2 definitely broke that mold for me, Konkana Sen’s Lust Story also had a role to play, while Kota Factory 3 connected me with the youth,” Shome shared.

She further added, “I think people are looking at me in a changed light today. And I am grateful to all the writers and directors for taking me through this phase. Because their stories were so unique, it created a new world for actors like us.” I am grateful to have experienced this transformation and to have worked on such diverse roles.”

Shome was last seen in Tribhuvan Mishra’s CA Topper, which is streaming on Netflix.