One of the most path-breaking plays in recent times, 'The Vagina Monologues' finishes 100 episodes this month.

Jayati Bhatia, one of the five protagonists in the play, cheers the way it has changed women's lives... hers too the theme of 'The Vagina Monologues' (TVM) is to spread the word about 'vaginas'. Why do you think it is necessary for people to talk about it?

People, and more so women, are so quiet about these issues.

I don't see why. It's a part of you, isn't it? When people laugh about something, they become more open about it. Like when you laugh at yourself, it endears you to people. They warm up to you.

It tells them that you know what you are all about and they accept you for who you are. In the same way, when people talk and laugh about the issues that are discussed in 'TVM' - women, pubic hair, orgasms, rape - they are coming out in the open with these issues, they're sharing their psyches, their understanding of these situations. A simple example: There's a piece on a man who loves looking at his lover's pubic hair. Women have gone home and spoken about this guy to their husbands... how they've never met anyone like him and that he has such a refreshing point of view. This way, men and women discuss their innermost feelings, topics they've never discussed before... and once couples do that, they're at peace.

Do you think women directors bring anything extra to the table by the simple virtue of being women?

Your character in 'Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi' is a woman wronged by her husband. 'TVM' is all about strong women. Are you consciously taking these roles?

I think I attract these 'misfit' type roles! Maybe it's something to do with the way I moved from Delhi to Mumbai. When I came to Mumbai, I was thrown into the elite South Mumbai theatre circuit without knowing anyone. I didn't even know what a prawn thermador was! Mahabano (Kotwal) told me to be myself and people would accept me. She made me comfortable with who I am. I think that's the image I project - one of complete confidence... so maybe, that's why I get these roles.

I can't resist asking about the moan medley. Did you have any apprehensions doing it at all?

When Mahabano first gave me the part, I was apprehensive. I asked her, 'You want me to do... THAT?' She said that there is a lot of innocence in me and if something is done with such innocence and abandon, it couldn't go wrong. When we assembled at Dolly's (Thakore) house for the reading, she had carpenters, a computer repair fellow and a theatre group in the house. I started doing this piece. And I was loud! My moans filled the house. Everyone froze and stared. The computer man and Dolly didn't know where to look! And Mahabano kept on laughing!

Hundred shows... looks like women's issues have found a pretty good platform...

I cannot believe we've finished 100 shows. Eighty-five of these were in Mumbai. And it's still going house full. Two years ago, at the first show, we were scared.

I thought people might throw stones at us for the explicit nature of the issues. But I think the people of Mumbai are amazing. True, some people did find it titillating (I don't know how!) but by and large, the response has been very positive. Women have gone home with a feeling that men have been enlightened. People who would never have uttered the word, are asking me when the next 'vagina' play is. That means the word is spreading... and that's what we wanted all along!

As told to Sejal Mehta