Priyadarshan shares his advice to Virender Sehwag on English: Just speak
Mumbai, July 29
Acclaimed director Priyadarshan shared what he had advised former cricketer Virender Sehwag to make him overcome his hesitation about speaking in English.
Priyadarshan revealed during an exclusive interaction with IANS that as he was shooting a commercial with Sehwag, the former cricketer was facing some trouble with the language and then, the director had advised him to simply speak the language without fearing whether he was speaking correctly.
The 'Hera Pheri' maker told IANS, "I was shooting the second ad with Virender Sehwag. He had a problem with the language. So, he was a little conscious, and then I said, 'Speak, whether it is wrong or right, you speak'."
Priyadarshan further recalled meeting Sehwag after two years and by when, he had started speaking fluent English.
"He said he was forced to speak", he shared.
"So, if you are conscious that I can't speak, there is no other way. They all have to, because I cannot speak Hindi properly, but I can understand. I can even write and read because I studied it till the 10th standard. But I can't speak fluently," Priyadarshan concluded.
Meanwhile, Akshay had also shared his views on the language preferences in the film industry.
The 'Namaste London' actor said that he has always chosen to speak in Hindi, even back when English was often seen as more fashionable.
"In the '90s, even if there was an award night, I always said that I would speak in Hindi. Generally too, I always speak in Hindi. Even at many of my conclaves, where there are English speakers, I fold my hands and tell them, you speak in English but I will speak in Hindi. That is my comfort," Akshay told IANS.
The 'Houseful' actor further went on to state that language, for him, has always been about comfort and authenticity and not simply about perception.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, I can relate to Sehwag's hesitation so much. Growing up in a Hindi-medium school and then working in a corporate job where English is mandatory—it's tough. 😅 People judge you for making mistakes. But this is a great mindset shift. Language is just a tool for communication, not status. Good on both Priyadarshan and Sehwag for keeping it real.
As someone from the US, I find this cultural nuance fascinating. In India, English can carry so much weight and even anxiety. Priyadarshan's advice is actually universal—just speak, make mistakes, and learn. It's refreshing to see Akshay Kumar prioritise comfort in his own language too. Great article, though I wonder if the pressure to speak English is an issue worth more discussion.
Absolutely brilliant advice from Priyadarshan. 👏 The fear of being wrong holds so many of us back. And it's not just about English—it's about confidence in general. Sehwag going from hesitant to fluent in just two years shows the power of that mindset. Akshay's stand on Hindi in Bollywood is also admirable. We need more acceptance of multilingualism in India. 🇮🇳
I have mixed feelings here. On one hand, Priyadarshan's advice is practical and worked for Sehwag. But on the other, it's sad that we Indians still feel the need to measure ourselves by English fluency. Even Akshay, who speaks Hindi comfortably, is seen as rebellious for doing so. Respect to both for their approach, but I think we need more systemic acceptance of all Indian languages.
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