BOMBAY TIMES (March 8, 2018)

Ileana D’Cruz will soon be seen as the female lead in the crime thriller Raid, which is based on some of the most high-profile income tax raids conducted in the 80s. In the film, which has been shot in Lucknow, the actress plays the character of Malini Patnaik, a brave woman who not only battles the vagaries of life in services, but also faces threatening challenges as she and her husband are targeted for their integrity. Ajay Devgn plays her husband Amay, who is the Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax.

Ileana’s character underlines the anxiety, unpredictability and helplessness spouses face when they have no clue about the whereabouts of their better halves during an active raid. Malini is witty, human, sometimes vulnerable, and someone who speaks her mind. She is her husband’s pillar of strength. At times, she hides her fears and is seen putting up a brave face, even though she feels anxious about Amay’s well-being.

Throwing light on her character, Ileana says, “I don’t play a regular Indian housewife from the 80s. I voice my opinions and I’m the strength behind my husband. The love and intimacy between the two of them is showcased through the songs and various emotional scenes in the movie. In terms of screen time, it’s not a lengthy role, but my character is memorable and pivotal to the story.”

Director Raj Kumar Gupta shares, “Ileana’s character emerged while we were researching for the film. The officers who were helping us during the research kept insisting that if they did not have the strength and support of their wives, they would not have been able to do the work that they did. So, Malini is a tribute to all these brave women.”

Raid, a Panorama Studios Production, presented by Gulshan Kumar & T-series and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak, releases on March 16.