Actress and VJ Bani J, who portrays Umang in “Four More Shots Please,” has shared how her character has inspired many individuals to open up about their sexual preferences.
In an exclusive conversation, she revealed that she frequently receives messages from people expressing their gratitude.
When asked about the feedback she’s garnered over the years for her strong character, Bani stated, “Ever since I started essaying my role as Umang in the show, since season 1, my inbox has been flooded with messages and rainbow emoticons, and people have been coming out every single day, from across cultures and walks of life.”
She further explained, “There were so many questions initially, with people asking, ‘Oh my God, how do I do this?’ But then they saw the character of Umang and how she came out, especially because there is a clear ‘coming-out scene’ in the show.”
Bani emphasized the importance of Umang’s coming-out moment, along with the representation of a same-sex wedding in the series. She noted, “It offered people a platform to see something like this being represented on screen, something that had rarely been shown before. The depiction allowed viewers to envision their own experiences and realize that these are situations many people are genuinely going through.”
She elaborated, “Seeing such representation made it easier for audiences to relate and initiate conversations. The more one sees it, the more it becomes normalised. Over time, it helps people feel more comfortable, but normalization is the first step.”
Excitingly, Bani is preparing for the fourth and final season of “Four More Shots Please!” The show is set to premiere on the 19th of December.
Alongside Bani, the series features Kriti Kulhari, Maanvi Gagroo, Sayani Gupta, Prateik, Smita Patil, and Dino Morea.