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Before she became India’s most visible trans icon Bobby Darling was Pankaj Sharma — a boy from Delhi who would go on to rewrite identity and visibility in mainstream Bollywood. Her journey to the big screen began with Taal (1999) helmed by showman Subhash Ghai. In a recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan Bobby opened up about her early days in the industry revealing moments both empowering and unexpectedly intimate. “Shot for 25 days… then they cut my scene” “I was paid ₹2500 per day” she recalls. “I shot for 25 days for Taal but you don’t control what gets edited.” Bobby was cast in a small role — that of Aishwarya Rai’s designer. “Subhash Ghai himself auditioned me and said ‘Give her the designer role.’ During the song Ramta Jogi Anil Kapoor gave me the nickname ‘Dastoor’ — and Subhashji approved it right there.” The moment with Aishwarya Then came the unexpected memory that still makes her laugh. “Subhashji told me to fasten Aishwarya Rai’s blouse hook during a shoot. My hands were trembling. Was it a blouse or a bra? I don’t know… but there I was standing right next to her nervous and thrilled.” She added “Aishwarya was very polite very humble. I became drawn to her. I thought — if I were a man I’d want a girl like her.” An honest window into 90s Bollywood While her role never made the final cut Bobby’s story is a reminder of the many voices that often remain unheard in Bollywood lore. From hidden edits to quiet desires Bobby’s anecdote paints a textured portrait of identity admiration and the quiet ache of what could’ve been.