Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 10, 2017)

After playing Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s wife in the Manto biopic, Rasika Dugal will be seen in Gaurav Bakshi’s next, tentatively titled Reincarnation. It is being produced by Imtiaz Ali’s ex-wife Preety, and also features Sanjay Mishra and Akshay Oberoi in pivotal roles. “It’s the story of a man who believes he is the reincarnation of Mahatma Gandhi. My character is very aware of her sexuality and, as a friend described, ‘casually brave’. What interested me about the script was that it didn’t fit into any genre,” says the actress who wrapped up the film last month on the outskirts of Mumbai.

She is quick to add that it is a dramatic departure from her role of Safia Manto and though shooting for low budget films can be physically exhausting, Rasika says the joy of making a good film helps you tide over all hardships. “Sanjay Mishra also kept us entertained with his stories and antics,” she laughs.

She informs that Preety, along with her business partners, Vinay Mishra and Pallavi Rohatgi, are from her hometown Jamshedpur. “I met them a few years ago through common friends and we were looking for an opportunity to work together. Preety, Vinay and I had many Jamshedpur stories to share during the shoot. We jabbered about school, common friends and favourite places to eat till other unit members started to complain that they had Jamshedpur coming out of their ears,” she signs off on a merry note.