2 friends, 6 loos and infinite fun

After successful web series like ‘Man's World’ and ‘Bang Baaja Baaraat’, Y-Films, the uber-cool YouTube channel from Yash Raj Films, is back with another one-of-a-kind show, which “boldly” takes the audience to a place that has always amassed curiosity – the ‘Ladies Room’.

The show takes place in six different loos as characters Dingo and Khanna, played by the eclectically talented Saba Azad and an energetic debutant Shreya Dhanwanthary, respectively, try to survive one hilarious disaster after another – getting caught with pot, pregnancy tests, dealing with men who like to show off their “junk” on dating apps and basically being BFFs/partners in crime.

Directed by Ashima Chibber of ‘Mere Dad Ki Maruti’ fame, the comedy is written by Ratnabali Bhattacharjee and Neha Kaul Mehra and produced by Ashish Patil. Four episodes of the have been aired already and the show is “flushing” over the internet garnering over a million views for every episode what with its relatable characters and bang-on-target dialogues; it’s a true representation of the women being themselves. In an interaction with The Hans India, leading ladies of ‘Ladies Room’ get candid with their personal loo stories and more.

Excerpts.
What’s your favourite thing about the show?
That it shows women as I have known them - independent, strong, driven, fearless, masters of their own life decisions and bodies, leading lives that don't center around men, often confused, often making mistakes, plenty rough around the edges but being unabashedly and often hysterically themselves.

The stories are relatable to most women. What’s the one ‘ladies room’ story from your personal life that was as crazy as the ones on the show?
Well mine wasn't exactly in the show. There was a snaking line outside the ladies room at a gig I was playing and I had to be on stage in five minutes so I basically barged into the gents and told them to cover up their “family jewels” cause I was about to use their loo!! It led to a fair amount of terror to say the least. (winks)

Given a chance, who would you be? Dingo or Khanna?
I guess I relate to both in a way but I am partial to Dingo. She seems a tad rudderless but, despite her messy situations she has a somewhat of a plan to change her circumstance. She “rolls” with the punches and making quite the cocktail with the lemons life's throwing at her

What other projects are you working on?
Apart from my acting commitments I am also a musician, so between playback singing, voice over work and my band MADBOY/MINK and guesting for the band "the Bartender" I have my hands pretty full. I am also in the process of developing two feature length scripts for films one of which I intend to direct myself. And of course there’s the season two of Ladies Room with Y Films!

You’ve done movies as well. Which media platform do you prefer between movies and web?
It’s hard to pick one. At the end of the day as an actor they both entail being in front of the camera, which is a fairly similar experience. The internet is a very potent medium given its reach and freedom of subject matter and content so it’s a very exciting space but I’m deeply attached to cinema as a medium both in front and behind the camera so I guess I’m the worst to choose one really.

What’s your favourite thing about Ladies Room?
That it is as crazy and fun as it is cheeky. We've somehow managed to slip in poignant issues (like femal foeticide and everyday sexism at work place) without actually ever throwing a huge flashlight at them.

Given a chance, who would you be? Dingo or Khanna?
Either, really. I am so far removed from both characters that it was a delight playing Khanna and it would've been equally amazing had I got to play Dingo.

Making a debut on the web is an innovative approach for an actor. How did you come about your decision?
Well, any platform that allows me to tell a story is one I want to get on.

What other projects are you working on?
My profession ensures that I am on a constant quest for employment. (smiles)

By Asra Ghouse