To Rinku Rajguru, 200 Halla Ho is an affirmation that her career is enabling her to do what she wanted — collaborate with artistes to tell urgent stories.

Director Sarthak Dasgupta’s drama tells the story of 200 Dalit women who, tired of being oppressed for years, take the law into their own hands and lynch a rapist in open court. Joining her in the ZEE5 offering is Amol Palekar.

Never in her wildest dream had Rajguru imagined that the opportunity to share screen space with the senior actor would present itself so early on in her career. “I remember watching his films as a child, and thinking how brilliantly he portrays all his characters. There are so many actresses who have been in the industry for years, and have wanted to work with him. I feel lucky to have worked with him in the initial years of my career,” says Rajguru of Sairat (2016) fame.

In 200 Halla Ho, she plays Asha, who mobilises women to speak up against the rape and murder of a Dalit woman. She is proud that the narrative tackles not only crimes against women, but also caste oppression. “I saw it as an opportunity to spread awareness about the injustice faced by women and how it is important to speak up. I was [shocked] that Dalit women are brutalised every day, and no one even raises their voice.”