In only a five-year career so far, Radhika Madan has had the pleasure of working with two generations of the Bhardwaj family. The actor, who made her movie debut with Vishal Bhardwaj’s Pataakha (2018), plays the short-tempered Lovely in Aasmaan Bhardwaj’s recently released Kuttey. So, what attracted her to the role? “Her unpredictability,” laughs Madan, admitting that she is always game for uninhibited characters.

“In Vishal ji’s world, the female characters are always well-written, and often quirkier than their male [counterparts]. When he called me [to offer the role], he said, ‘I have two favourite characters in this film. One is Tabu’s, and the other is yours.’”

Joining forces with Naseeruddin Shah, Tabu, Konkona Sensharma, Arjun Kapoor, Kumud Mishra and Shardul Bhardwaj was creatively satisfying for Madan. But it was the novel experience of working with debutant director Aasmaan that stood out for her.

Asked if he has a similar approach as his filmmaker-father Vishal, Madan says, “Aasmaan is ambitious and motivated. He takes risky shots, is clear about his vision and is certain that he will be able to achieve it. Vishal ji has experience, and knows how each shot will come out differently from what is in one’s mind. He has thehraav, which makes you feel at ease.”