Showing posts with label Rasika Dugal interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rasika Dugal interview. Show all posts
Audiences don’t want idealized women anymore; they want real women-Rasika Dugal
2:19 PM
Neha Maheshwri (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 30, 2026)
Rasika Dugal has consistently portrayed women who resist easy definitions. From Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur and Safia in Manto to Neeti Singh in Delhi Crime, her characters inhabit the grey areas of human behaviour rather than fitting neatly into ideas of right and wrong. She believes audiences today are increasingly drawn to emotionally honest women over idealised ones.
Rasika, who will be seen reprising Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur: The Movie, says, “I’ve never consciously looked for morally ambiguous characters, but rather for characters that reflect the complexity of real people. Human beings are contradictory, inconsistent and constantly evolving. That’s what fascinates me as an actor. If I can understand why a character makes a particular choice, even if I personally disagree with it, I know there’s something worth exploring.”
The actress also sees a meaningful shift in the way women are being written on screen.
She says, “For a long time, female characters were expected to embody virtue, sacrifice or perfection. Today, women are being written as flawed, selfish, ambitious, vulnerable, manipulative, compassionate and courageous, often all at once. That’s a far more honest reflection of life. We don’t have to agree with every decision a character makes to empathise with her journey.”
The conversation, she feels, isn’t just about how women are written, but also about what audiences now value in a protagonist.
She says, “As actors, we’re often told to make characters ‘likeable’, but I think being interesting is far more important than being likeable. The people we meet in real life are rarely perfect. They surprise us, disappoint us, inspire us and frustrate us, often all at the same time. Audiences don’t want idealised women anymore; they want real women. They want to see people who make mistakes, carry regrets, grapple with their circumstances and continue moving forward despite their imperfections.”
Expanding the range of stories women get to inhabit remains one of the changes she hopes continues to gather momentum.
She shares, “If the stories I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of have contributed, even in a small way, to expanding the way women are represented on screen, I consider that a privilege. I hope we continue telling stories where women aren’t expected to symbolise perfection but are simply allowed to be fully human.”
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Reprising her role as Beena in Mirzapur: The Movie, Rasika Dugal says the franchise has expanded the idea of strong women by showing their contradictions
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 4, 2026)
Many have loved Beena Tripathi, Rasika Dugal’s character in Mirzapur, while others have criticised her manipulative ways. In Mirzapur: The Movie, the character will once again use her craftiness to survive in the male-dominated world of crime and power. According to Dugal, it’s this complexity that attracted her to the role.
“What drew me to Beena is that she refuses to fit into a neat box. She constantly adapts, negotiates power, makes difficult decisions, and surprises both the audience and herself. That makes her far more interesting to play than someone who is written to appear ‘strong’ in every scene. Revisiting Beena in Mirzapur: The Movie has been rewarding because the writing gives audiences the opportunity to see her beyond binaries,” said the actor, who is joined by Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, and Shweta Tripathi, among others, in the Gurmmeet Singh-directed film.
Dugal feels that the franchise, through its different female characters, has challenged viewers’ expectations of how strong women should behave. She explained, “Strength, by itself, cannot be the only defining trait of a woman. Real women are contradictory. They can be vulnerable one moment and strategic the next; they can be compassionate and make morally questionable choices at the same time.”
I’d love to try a fun comedy or a biopic next-Rasika Dugal
10:10 AM
Rasika Dugal exploring the markets of Mandawa
Richa Shukla (BOMBAY TIMES; November 17, 2024)
Rasika Dugal recently visited Rajasthan for a project and took the opportunity to explore its historic beauty. Already enchanted by Rajasthan, she got to shoot in Mandawa, a heritage town in Jhunjhunu district known for its havelis. The town's architectural marvels prompted Rasika to take a day off from filming and turn tourist.
She shares, “I had visited Mandawa many years ago for a short ad shoot but didn’t get to explore then. This time, I unexpectedly had an evening off, so we made the most of it. We wandered around the main market, visited quaint shops — one had the most beautiful juttis, so I did my share of festive shopping. We also discovered a store with gorgeous antique laces. Handiwork has always held a special place in my heart. Later, we toured the Mandawa Fort with a guide full of interesting stories. It was wonderful to see how well these heritage sites are preserved. We ended the day with a warm cup of chai at the highest point of the fort, enjoying a stunning view of the town at sunset.”
'The markets and monuments of Jaipur are the perfect mix of chaos and serenity'
Rasika also got to experience Jaipur as she wrapped up her shoot. “Jaipur is a beautiful, bustling city. The markets and monuments offer the perfect mix of chaos and serenity. Every corner has a story to tell. I love strolling through the markets without an agenda, and indulging in some pyaaz kachoris. This time, I stayed at a boutique homestay with green lawns and warm hospitality," she says.
'I find the long-format of series fascinating'
The actress, who debuted with Anwar in 2007, has appeared in numerous Bollywood films and is also active on television. When asked about the differences between the two mediums, she said, “Actors find it difficult to choose one format over the other because our approach remains the same, regardless. But I do find the long-form format of series fascinating. The extended timeline allows for depth, letting you explore the character and make adjustments along the way. It also allows for a true ensemble, where multiple tracks and characters can be well-developed. This has especially opened up opportunities for nuanced roles for women.”
'As an actor, vulnerability is key'
When selecting projects, Rasika relies on her instincts. “Creative collaborations are rare, and it’s essential to be open to the possibility that some might not work out. I trust my instincts about the role and the people I’ll be working with, including the director and co-actors. As an actor, vulnerability is key, so it’s important to work in an environment that respects that. We have little control over the overarching message of the story, so trusting the director’s sensitivity and vision is important.”
'Lucky to play versatile roles'
Rasika further adds, "I’ve been fortunate to experiment with varied characters, genres, and formats. My roles as Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur and Neeti Singh in Delhi Crime are vastly different, showcasing the range performers crave. There’s so much more to explore, which is exciting and keeps me eager to learn and grow. I’d love to try a fun comedy or a biopic next.”
If it wasn’t for streaming services, I wonder if I would have got such good work?-Rasika Dugal
8:27 PM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; December 1, 2023)
Rasika Duggal, in an exclusive chat with BT, talks about her early days in Mumbai as a young actor and how happy she is about the way the entire ecosystem for actors has changed in the current scenario.
‘I have turned down some commercial films because the character did not have much to do’
Rasika, who was a special guest at the recently held Prithvi Theatre Festival recently, has won immense appreciation for her performance in Mirzapur and has featured in an interesting mix of projects, says, “I am proud of all the projects. I have done a mix of films and web shows. And if you consider my show Mirzapur, it was mainstream. I have been offered to play bhabhi or sister in commercial films, and I turned them down because the character did not have much to do. At times, it is difficult to say no, but I have been very clear that as a performer, if there is nothing in it for me, I won’t do it. Of course, if there is a central role in a masala film, why not?
‘If it wasn’t for streaming services, I wonder if I would have got such good work?’
The Manto actress gives credit to digital platforms for being able to flourish in this industry as an actress. She explains, “Everyone has their own unique journey. Some have a combination of luck, help from seniors and hard work; others don’t. Having said that, the ecosystem for actors has changed over the years. If it were not for streaming services, sometimes I wonder if I would have got such good work? What would I have done? I feel you need good luck, intent and talent to make brave decisions in this business.”
‘Female actors have been able to tick many boxes in the past few years’
Talking about how female actors are getting well-written characters to portray today, she says, “I feel female actors have been able to tick many boxes in the past few years and there is progressive storytelling, whether it is a film or a web show. The quality of writing has changed dramatically, it has become nuanced, and every character has something to contribute. You no longer find female actors playing cardboard cutout characters. Now you see them playing a variety of roles that are more human and relatable, she is not just heroic or celebrating feminism.”
My friends and I would stand in queues for three to four hours, to buy tickets that cost just Rs 7-Rasika Dugal
8:57 AM
Aditi Pancholi (BOMBAY TIMES; October 8, 2022)
Known for her roles in several shows and movies, including Mirzapur, Made In Heaven and Delhi Crime, among others, Rasika Dugal credits Delhi as the city where she was first introduced to theatre.
The actress, who pursued a degree in mathematics in 2004 from Lady Shri Ram College (LSR), says, “My first introduction to any serious theatre was in LSR. At that time, it was just a way for me to fit into college. I hail from Jamshedpur and when I came to college, I saw everyone was so well-informed and doing multiple things. I used to feel I didn’t know enough. All the cool people in college used to be in the drama society, so even I wanted to be cool and be a part of it, so I auditioned and was cast for a play by theatre director Anamika Haksar, who has also made a film now. I had the opportunity to work with some enthusiastic and lovely women in college, so my cinematic journey started at LSR. My world opened up there, my first introduction to good work on stage started from college, and then Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) took it further,” says the actress.
‘LOVED GETTING PARANTHAS PACKED FROM MOOLCHAND’
Recalling some of her fondest memories of the city, Rasika says, “I was in the LSR hostel and most of my best memories about Delhi are very food-related. Whenever I am in Delhi, I want to try something new. Our hot favourite back in college used to be the paranthe wala at Moolchand. In fact, when I came to shoot for Delhi Crime’s first season, I went back to Moolchand just to have the paranthas. Back then, there used to be a little stall that would pack paranthas in a newspaper. I also remember how my friends and I would save and divide our pocket money and bahut soch soch kar hum hot chocolate fudge khaate thay.”
‘WE USED TO STAND IN LONG QUEUES TO BUY MOVIE TICKETS AT SAKET FOR JUST 7’
A cinema buff, the actress says she would stand in long queues to get a cheaper ticket at a Saket cinema hall. She says, “Back then, the ticket for these front rows – which were available at a separate counter – cost 7! My friends and I would stand in queues for three to four hours, just to buy those tickets. Since none of us had enough money at that point, we would shop at Greater Kailash M Block market and wear each other’s clothes. We would also go to Bengali Market for chhole kulche.”
‘NEED TO COME BACK TO DELHI FOR A FOOD TRIP’
“Every time I am in Delhi, it is a rushed trip, and I always feel I need to come back to the city for a food trip, especially in winter. The food is simply outstanding. In fact, even in between interviews during my recent visit to Delhi, at the hotel, I could smell some amazing aroma of dal makhani and I couldn’t resist ordering one for myself. I have a lot of friends and family members in Delhi. I ensure I meet a different set so that I can meet all of them whenever I am in the city,” she says.
‘OTT CHANGED MANY ACTORS’ LIVES, INCLUDING MINE’
“Projects in the streaming space have broken the set formula. The gusto with which content is being consumed across genres is proof of the fact that the audience was always ready to embrace new and interesting content,” says Rasika, adding, “I am happy to see that in the last few years, after streaming became popular, it is not just three or four actors that have had successful shows; every month there is a new show, so there seems to be a room for everyone. There is an opportunity for everybody, be it in terms of genre or talent, there is no dearth.”
However, there are cons to every medium and OTT is no exception. Rasika says, “There is a clutter of content, and not everything that is written for streaming services is of top-notch quality. Some shows or films are mediocre too. Once a show gets successful, there is a need to come up with subsequent seasons quickly but I hope that time is given to maintain the quality that they have come up with. We should not fall into the trap of producing subsequent seasons at such speed that it impacts the quality of a show in any way.”
I had never heard of Chaddi Baniyan Gang. I said, ‘Oh my god, really!’-Shefali Shah
8:37 AM
It’s like meeting an old friend, say Delhi Crime’s lead actors, who return to reprise their police officer characters in the second season of the award-winning drama series
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; August 21, 2022)
To be a woman means to multitask. Even if you are one of India’s most sought after actors with an international Emmy award under her belt.
Shefali Shah is at the Netflix Mumbai headquarters where we are to interview her about her return as DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, chief investigating officer in crime drama Delhi Crime’s second season. She is juggling a domestic hurdle on the phone with her family. Her sons Maurya and Aryaman, are unwell, as is her mother-in-law. She is instructing a staffer about medication and the day’s menu. Two minutes later, she takes on the first question with the focus and passion we expect from her.
Co-stars on the show, Rasika Dugal and Rajesh Tailang sit beside her, both hailed for their portrayal of officer Neeti Singh and Inspector Bhupendra Singh respectively. Core members of the show’s team that cracks a rape and assault case, inspired by the 2012 Delhi gang rape that led to the death of a 23-year-old woman, resulting in national outrage.
“Reprising a role is always interesting. It’s like meeting an old friend,” Dugal thinks, “You know them [the characters] fundamentally, but they have moved on with their lives. It’s a mix of familiarity and unfamiliarity. Also, they are responding to different events. Neeti starts off as a sincere, idealistic, and wide-eyed cop who wants to impress Vartika. Now, she is more lived in, and easy about her job. This [evolution] also comes with a bit of jadedness. I shadowed a real policewoman as prep for season 1, and then again for season 2. She seemed to be in the same position that Neeti finds herself in. I saw the difference in her from bring trainee officer to ACP,” says Dugal, a satisfied smile refusing to leave her face.
Shah listens to her intently. She admits she is “deeply possessive” about her character. “I think it’s one of the best things I have done. And I was anxious if I could fill those shoes again.” This is an actor who has only done stellar work in the interim, recently wowing audiences as a domestic help in Jalsa, and the mother of a domestic abuse survivor in Darlings.
“Vartika became larger than life—we made a show, we created her—we didn’t know she would go where she went. I thought to myself, ‘how can I top that?’ When I got back into the role on set, she came back to me... as if she never left. Slipping into the uniform does that to you,” Shah muses.
While in the show’s first season, Shah thinks, the trio was obsessed with solving the case, this time around, their approach is practical, because “they do this every day”.
For Tailang, like Shah, having a finger on the pulse of the character once again was a worry. “Things changed, the case has changed. But, Bhupendra isn’t a man to change. His struggle is to remain the way he is. For an actor, a character is not a statue you reveal. You sculpt it for the audience as you go along, revealing bits of it in every scene.”
This is not the first time that Tailang is dabbling in a crime drama. He has directed scores of episodes of Indian television’s iconic dramatised crime series inspired by real episodes, India’s Most Wanted.
This time, the trio is grappling with a gang that had caused havoc in Delhi in the 1990s. The Chaddi Baniyan Gang was notorious for attacking homes at night, especially those housing senior citizens. They’d wear little else, but underclothes and face masks, slathering their bodies with oil or mud to protect their identities and give the cops a slip. They would urinate or defecate at the crime scene before they left, some said, to mislead sniffer dogs, and their killings were almost always ruthless.
A bungalow in South Delhi has been attacked in season 2, and four bodies are found. Those summoned to the crime scene are aghast at the brutal behaviour of the culprits. Despite the criminal groups’ notoriety, Shah says, “I had never heard of this gang. I said, ‘Oh my god, really!’ As information arrived to me through the material for the show, I was able to understand that this kind of human behaviour is not isolated. It’s the result of everything that is happening around. It’s not about one bad person [responsible for it]. That’s the strength of Delhi Crime; it brings forth the social situations that influence certain happenings.”
All three actors agree that this show has helped them see the Indian police force in new light. It’s easy to play the blame game, Shah says. “The police are the punching bag each time something goes wrong. As a civilian, I too have been quick to reprimand the police. Now, I think I come from a place of empathy. [The show] humanises the police,” says Dugal.
How did you disengage from Delhi Crime?
Rasika Dugal: You can’t describe it, it’s entirely experiential. That’s the beauty of it
Shefali Shah: I got so engrossed, that there was nothing left to take back with me once I was done
Rajesh Tailang: The way I quickly got into character, is how I got out of it too
Having a female protagonist is no longer just an act of tokenism-Rasika Dugal
8:15 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; March 7, 2022)
The portrayal of women in cinema and on web shows has undergone a sea change, but is that enough? Rasika Dugal, who has been a part of films Qissa, Hamid and Manto along with many web series, says, “Storytelling is transforming every day, and it’s heartening to see that not only are there more important parts for women, but they are also more nuanced. Scripts are exploring and celebrating femininity. Having a female protagonist helming a show or film is no longer just an act of tokenism. However, we still have a long way to go in the way we portray female desire. Sometimes, even the most well-written scripts end up with sexualised visuals. Possibly because of deeply-ingrained references. I feel, we find it hard to break away from those.”
The actress also makes a point about feminism. She says, “Feminism isn’t limited to a particular gender and, unfortunately, neither is patriarchy. Women can be patriarchal and men can be feminists. I have been very inspired by some of the people I have worked with — Anup Singh, Mira Nair, Richie Mehta and Nandita Das — for what they bring to their work and for the people they are. I am also hugely inspired by the women I grew up with — my grandmother, mother and aunts. They’re women who made very traditional choices, but lived with the consequences of their decisions with grace and dignity. Growing up, I don’t think I valued that enough. However, later I realised the strength and resilience it took to always be there for the people around you, and in a way, that did not compromise your self-respect even though sometimes that had to be negotiated. I will always have respect for that.”
I always find it hard answering whether OTTs have ushered in pay equality-Rasika Dugal
8:16 AM
Rasika Dugal feels the hush-hush nature of discrimination makes it hard to call out pay disparity, but thanks OTTs for better roles
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 25, 2021)
For many, the growth of the OTT space has brought along a sense of equality in terms of the opportunity and visibility, but what remains to be seen is whether it has also rectified the skewed pay gap or not. However, actor Rasika Dugal says finding an answer to that isn’t that simple.
“I always find it hard answering whether OTTs have ushered in pay equality. I’ve heard that there’s a disparity, but I have no idea what people around me are being paid,” Dugal tells us. The 36-year-old elaborates, “Every project is priced differently. I might know how much a few friends of mine charge but their projects are set up differently than the ones I might be doing. So, it’s very hard to compare.”
Apart from the different nature of projects and their pays, and lack of transparency, the issue is also veiled by discrimination. “You never know whether you’re being discriminated against. You can never pinpoint if you’re getting paid less because you’re a woman, or if you’re facing pay disparity because of gender. The difficult thing about discrimination is that it’s so subtle,” says the actor.
A FAIR PRICE
Over the years, Dugal has proved her mettle with outstanding performances on the web space, be it as the idealistic young cop in Delhi Crime or the feisty Bina Tripathi in Mirzapur.
However, gaining recognition does not always make it easier to quote the fee one deserves, feels the actor. “It’s hard to put a price on what I do. You’re investing yourself wholeheartedly in something. Being paid is a part of what I expect to receive out of the work. There are so many other things involved, like what it takes out of me or what it teaches me,” she adds. And she asserts that it’s one of the most “hard yet beautiful things about the industry”.
Then and Now
Starting her career with films such as Tahaan (2008) and Murder 2 (2011), Dugal has certainly come a long way, and she admits she couldn’t have asked to be an actor at a better time, thanks to the boom of the digital content space.
Recalling the time when she used to carry a DVD of her film, Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost (2015), in her purse and offer it to everyone she’d meet, she says “Earlier, distribution was a bottleneck. Aap apni picture bana toh lete the lekin marketing ka budget nahin hota tha. Then it’d never be able to compete with a bigger film for screens. OTT broke the bottleneck.”
THE CREDIT GOES TO...
The actor feels writers have scripted this change in the entertainment space, by writing more real characters for women. “A couple of years back, women characters were being written just as an act of tokenism. But now, the characters are very nuanced. They are actually celebrating femininity and not feeling the need to be masculine in any way. And it is very encouraging for an actor,” says the Manto (2018) actor, who has started working on her next projects, but is not allowed to divulge any further details about it.
We had several acting workshops with Naseeruddin Shah; you will not find this process in any book-Rasika Dugal
7:57 AM
The actress recounts her student days at the FTII and the impact of Naseeruddin Shah on her as a teacher
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; September 6, 2021)
Naseer sahab was part of the visiting faculty when Rasika Dugal studied at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). While the world knows of his acting prowess, through some very interesting anecdotes, Rasika gives us an insight into Naseeruddin Shah, the teacher. In conversation with Bombay Times on Teachers’ Day yesterday, the actress shared the valuable lessons she learnt from her famous teacher.
The actress remembered, “We were thrilled that Naseer sahab was able to take the time out and come teach us. It is rare for a working actor to make time for teaching. What I found unique about him is the fact that he is as good a teacher as he is as an actor, which is rare. Acting and teaching are two very different muscles, but he is able to navigate them. A great actor and a very focused teacher.”
The actress shared his teaching process and the impact it had on her as a student. She explained, “He has a set process that he would follow with us. We had several workshops with him that went on for 15 days each throughout the year. This pattern is what he had devised. You will not find this process in any book. Every student was nervous in front of him and we all wanted to maximize our time with him to grasp as much as we could.”
Citing examples, Rasika added, “The few things that I learnt from those sessions are fundamental to my craft. To give you an example, I learnt from him that you should never instruct your co-actor. You receive whatever they have to offer. Suppose a co-actor changes a line or says it differently, you don’t stop him and say, ‘Hey, you’ve said the wrong line’. You accept what they give to that scene. When someone throws something new at you and you adapt to it, that’s the actual give and take. And it’s not yours, but a director’s job to control a scene. You just need to be alert and be there for your co-star. It’s easy to say these things, but he taught us to execute them.”
After a brief pause, she elaborated, “Naseer sahab once said in class, that if you want to truly listen to your co-star in a scripted scene, then you must learn the other person’s lines also. At the time he gave this instruction I found it weird. But when I started working, I understood the meaning of it. I shot a short film called The Miniaturist Of Junagadh with him, which was my first professional interaction with him in Mumbai after the FTII. What happened on set was interesting. He asked me, 'Tumko lines yaad hai, na?' I said, 'Sir, aapki bhi yaad hai (smiles).' He laughed because he himself taught us that. He is enthusiastic about learning things and constantly updating his knowledge. He reads stuff in several languages and finds references that can lend meaning to lacklustre writing of a character he may enact, it’s very inspiring. This is what being detailed means.”
Beyond being a fine actor, Naseeruddin Shah is a socially aware artiste, who always speaks his mind. And that’s most inspiring about him believes the actress. Listing it as one of her life lessons, she said, “He always speaks his mind. There is no pretence and I feel that’s a great quality to have. The other person who has this quality is Nandita Das and I had the opportunity to work with her as well in Manto. They don’t believe in hierarchies. They treat everyone as equal and so the honesty.”
My character in Out Of Love 2 is neither a bechari nor a b*tch-Rasika Dugal
8:58 AM
Reprising her part of Meera Kapoor in Out Of Love 2, Rasika Dugal discusses empathising with the role of a single mother
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 27, 2021)
Rasika Dugal, who has been on a golden run with her last few outings, most notably in Mirzapur 2, is ready to do the heavy-lifting in the second season of Out Of Love. If the first edition dealt with infidelity and heartbreak, including a wonderfully executed dinner-table scene in the season finale, the upcoming instalment will deep-dive into the anger and resentment that follow the crumbling of a marriage. As Purab Kohli reprises his role as the manipulative Akarsh who returns to Coonoor, Dugal’s Dr Meera Kapoor is a changed woman who will go to any lengths to shield herself from getting hurt all over.
When we get on a call with the actor, we begin by asking her how she approached Meera this time around. “I find second seasons more interesting. I had the opportunity to reimagine a character I thought I knew well. That’s the beauty of life — sometimes, a change is triggered [in us] by people’s surprising actions. Additionally, the rigour of being in a show where you are present in almost every frame over five episodes is enjoyable. I wanted to see if I can be interesting to an audience despite being present in every sequence,” she says.
Meera, though quiet and reserved, has been etched out as a woman with great emotional strength and resilience. For Dugal, it has been a journey of discovery to navigate the aftermath of a toxic marriage through her character. “She decided to stay back in a place where everyone around has disappointed her. For her, staying back was a sense of victory over Akarsh. This season starts off with her in a healthy space — as a great single mother and a respected doctor. But with her estranged spouse resurfacing, old wounds are reopened. Though she has moved on, she realises there were a lot of elements that needed closure.”
The Disney+Hotstar offering will indulge in a fair amount of mind games as the former spouses do “irrational, erratic and ugly things”. How does one play the character without their own sense of judgment prevailing? “[An actor] has to accept how [her character’s] rage has changed her. A character will never look like a vamp or a victim if the actor playing it doesn’t believe that. I don’t judge the characters I play, and I try to bring in my sensitivity to understand her way of being. It wasn’t difficult for me to understand what Meera and Akarsh are going through individually. I see Meera neither as a bechari nor a b*tch. She is maintaining her self-respect.”
Besides the creative lure of the story, the actor sheepishly admits that the hills of Coonoor were an important factor in her decision to do the series. “I am in love with that place. People never [acknowledge] that the location makes a huge difference in enhancing your work as an artiste. Every frame of that town is filled with beauty. Every time I return after shooting a season of Out of Love, I have withdrawal symptoms.”
Around Naseeruddin Shah, I become that nervous and keen student again-Rasika Dugal
8:19 AM
Actor Rasika Dugal, who has been thespian Naseeruddin Shah’s student, says there’s so much to learn from him
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 2, 2021)
“It is an honour to share screen time with Naseer saab,” says Rasika Dugal, who shot for a short film in Mumbai with actor Naseeruddin Shah. He was also her teacher at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) fourteen years ago.
Excited about her collaboration with the veteran actor, the Delhi Crime actor credits Shah for imparting a great deal of knowledge to her during her foundational years as a student. She uploaded a video of her with him on her social media and wrote, “Still the nervous student when working with the master.”
Life has indeed come a full circle for Dugal, who says the collaboration is special for her as she reminisces her advent into the world of cinema with the legendary actor. “He is that rare combination of a great actor who is also a very good teacher. So much of what I know about my work is based on the invaluable fundamentals I learnt from him at FTII. I am more sure of myself as an actor today but, around him, I become that nervous and keen student again. There is still so much to learn from him!” remarks Dugal.
As she has been appreciated for her acting chops in a variety of roles, ask her if he ever commented about her projects and she replies, “I am always amazed by Naseer saab’s involvement with his work. It’s beautiful to watch years of experience coexist with an interest and enthusiasm for the work. He has always been very kind and encouraging to me. He has often made the effort to message and compliment me after he has watched my work. And I am always thrilled. One compliment from him is worth many.”
I hope there is a standalone series on Beena-Rasika Dugal
8:25 AM
Nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Series) at mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards, Rasika Dugal on how her character in Mirzapur 2 has come into her own
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; January 24, 2021)
Rasika Dugal shocked viewers in the second season of Mirzapur as her character, the quiet Beena Tripathi, emerged as the mastermind behind the downfall of the Tripathi family. “The writing is deliciously wicked and unpredictable. What excited me about Beena’s persona was that she would have a body language, which is different from mine. She wears her sexuality on her sleeve in a dignified way, and is unapologetic about the way she is,” begins Dugal, who is nominated in the Best Supporting Actor (Series) category at the upcoming mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards.
Call it a quirk or her method of internalising her character, but Dugal likes to add a personal element to her roles. “It’s a gift from me to the character. It’s usually something small—a pouch for coins, a phone cover, or earrings.” As Beena, the actor decided to wear rings made of different gemstones. “I saw her as someone who is not God-fearing, but would probably be taking regular advice from an astrologer.”
The second season saw Beena play mind games with those around—she gives birth to the son of Raja, the domestic help, and makes husband Kaleen bhaiyya believe that the newborn is his son. At the same time, she tells her father-in-law that he’s the one who got her pregnant. “It was all there in the writing. I live vicariously through Beena; she is everything that I am not. I am glad that the women characters are central to the plot in this season.”
With talk of a third outing, she’s hopeful that she will have an even more crucial part in the crime thriller. “I hope there is a standalone series on Beena,” she signs off.
Cast your vote for the Hitlist OTT Awards
- Rasika Dugal has been nominated in the Best Supporting Actor (Female): Series category for Mirzapur 2.
The other nominees are:
- Anupria Goenka: Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors (Disney+Hotstar)
- Maanvi Gagroo: Four More Shots Please 2 (Amazon Prime Video)
- Neena Gupta: Masaba Masaba (Netflix)
- Sheeba Chaddha: Bandish Bandits (Amazon Prime Video)
- Tabu: A Suitable Boy (Netflix)
- Log on to www.hitlistottawards.com to cast your vote.
- You can also vote via SMS. Send HITLIST <space> category name <space> your choice (a/b/c as on the website) to 57575.
- Voting lines close on February 9.
Did you know?
During the auditions, Dugal was certain that she would not be considered for the role as she had never played such a bold character.
The digital space seems to be healthy and competitive-Rasika Dugal
8:29 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 17, 2021)
Rasika Dugal turns a year older today. The Delhi Crime actor admits that she is happy to celebrate, as long as other people plan her birthday! To ring in her special day this year, she will have an intimate brunch with family and close friends, and hopes “the years are making me more fearless rather than the other way round”.
Having wrapped up a 46-day-long shoot schedule of the second season of the web series Out Of Love in Ooty and Coonoor, Dugal says she could not have asked for more after the lockdown. “It was rigorous, but beautiful! The show is an emotionally and physically rigorous experience for me, because of the nature of the role and because I am in almost every frame. This is what an actor desires — the opportunity to live a part which demands something from you over a period of time. Shooting in the stunning beauty of the Nilgiris was a bonus. The hills were even more beautiful, this time around,” she reveals.
Workwise, 2021 is all about different seasons of the shows she is a part of. And Dugal is eager to reprise the characters. “I also look forward to sinking my teeth into some new roles. It looks like it’s going to be an interesting mix. But who knows! If there is anything I know for sure about this line of work, it is that things never end up being the way they seem in the beginning of the year,” she says.
Dugal is glad for the boom on the digital platform, which is a win-win for all, including creators and viewers. “The digital space seems to be a healthy, competitive space, at least so far. I’m happy that in this space, there is room for all sorts of stories and genres. For example, Mirzapur and Made In Heaven are two completely different shows in terms of genres, yet both have been watched widely. It is encouraging to know people want to tell different kinds of stories and audiences are seeking variety in content,” she adds.
Why Rasika Dugal feels guilty about positive things in 2020
7:58 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 29, 2020)
Work came to a halt due to the Coronavirus pandemic, dynamics of showbiz changed, but for actor Rasika Dugal 2020 was a prolific year. A lot of her work released on OTT platforms, and each got her noticed. But when you ask her to describe it, the actor says 2020 feels like a “year out of a dystopian novel”.
She explains, “It also reinstated my faith in humanity. I was very moved by how civil society rose to the occasion and there were timely and sensitive initiatives to help people who were hit worst by the pandemic.”
And because there was so much misery around, Dugal almost felt “guilty”, she confesses, and adds, “There were so many positive things happening for me on the work front when it wasn’t the case for many around me.”
The 32-year-old was amazed by how quickly people reinvented themselves during this phase.
“Before I knew it, I was dubbing for A Suitable Boy from home, promoting Lootcase online, and recording for an audio series. Then Mirzapur 2 and A Suitable Boy released on the same day. Two different genres on different platforms and two completely distinct roles for me. I felt thrilled about getting an opportunity to be two completely different people, Savita (from A Suitable Boy) and Beena Tripathi (from Mirzapur 2). And to receive how both were perceived by the audience,” shares the actor.
That was not all. Lootcase, her film with Kunal Kemmu, which was meant for a theatrical release, opted for a digital route and managed to become one of the most liked films of the year.
“With Lootcase and Banana Bread — a short film I co-created and shot entirely from home during the early days of lockdown — I felt happy that I could be part of bringing some cheer and light heartedness to people’s lives (and to my own) in gloomy times,” says Dugal.
Awards were aplenty, too. Her web show Delhi Crime won an International Emmy, and that naturally is a high point for her. She gushes, “I was honoured and grateful that Delhi Crime got the recognition that I felt it deserved. But beyond awards and accolades, Delhi Crime will always hold a special place in my heart because of the skill and sensitivity with which it tells a very important story. I will be eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Richie Mehta, Shefali Shah, Rajesh Tailang and the entire cast and crew.”
OTT space has proven you can take risk in films-Rasika Dugal
8:16 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 8, 2020)
Having done a lot of work in both films and OTT space, actor Rasika Dugal has reached to the conclusion that latter indeed is more daring in terms of exploring new pastures, be it different subjects or actors.
“I hope it remains like that. With films, a formula had set in because there was a worry if you try something different, it won’t work at the box office. There’s always so much money riding on films. There were not many people who were willing to take risk,” she admits.
Giving credit where it is due, she adds, “Yes there were some such films, but not everyone was willing, especially those investing in the film. With smaller films, people had taken calculated risks. But the OTT space has proven you can take risk in films. I hope it works the other way round – that fearlessness translates into breaking of set formula in films, which I think to some extent has already happened. I hope fearlessness remain in OTT.”
So, while Dugal, 35, hopes for OTT not changing, does she already have any doubts? “I’m not apprehensive, I am sceptical, in a healthy way. I’m only slightly sceptical because so far the OTT space hasn’t advertised numbers (of viewership), the chase hasn’t been about that,” she concludes.
I hope OTT platforms don’t start releasing numbers-Rasika Dugal
8:10 AM
Actor Rasika Dugal hopes the numbers on OTT, if ever revealed, show that good content brings in audiences, not stars
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 31, 2020)
Amid the pandemic, web has emerged as the sole medium of entertainment for the audiences, so much so that even films with big star cast are releasing digitally. While many have called it a welcome move, Rasika Dugal hopes there’s no star system on the platform.
“I think there’s no release of numbers, at least publicly, so there’s no chasing numbers. It’s still a chase for good content rather than numbers, which had happened in films. So, the competition is to generate interesting content versus who can hit a certain number,” Dugal explains.
The advent of the OTT also means that there’s newness all around whether it’s in the kind of projects being made or casting process. But there’s a fear that she has. “I hope OTT platforms don’t start releasing numbers, and that they don’t start thinking stars are needed. Even if they reveal the numbers, I hope it doesn’t reveal that only stars bring in audiences. I just hope the numbers reveal that good content brings in the audiences,” says the actor, adding that she has a lot of faith in the audiences.
“We weren’t giving them variety and were too hung up on the formula. That changed in the last few years and is here to stay,” adds Dugal, who has been a part of web series such as Delhi Crime, and Out of Love, among others.
The 32-year-old feels that so far the response to her work on OTT has been encouraging. “For the past four to five years, what has been an encouragement for me is that even if a show is successful, it’s not that other shows have followed the same genre. A show like Mirzapur and Made In Heaven are of completely different genres but both have been successful in their own right. It’s proven that there’s an appetite for a variety of content,” she shares.
Let the madness be on screen; make memes but don't get inspired by us, says Mirzapur cast
9:04 AM
With their characters walking the thin line of morality in Mirzapur 2, Pankaj Tripathi, Rasika Dugal and Shweta Tripathi, discuss the age-old struggle of good and bad. Perfect, we think, in the week when Durga is hailed as the slayer of evil
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; October 18, 2020)
How does a college topper, interested in poetry and literature, winner of the year's student council elections, pick up a gun? Shweta Tripathi Sharma says playing Gajagamini 'Golu' Gupta in the Amazon Prime show, Mirzapur, has taught her that anything is possible. And to never be quick to judge. The second season, out this week, continues the story of three families in UP's infamous town of Mirzapur—Tripathis, Pandits and Guptas, whose lives are now inextricably intertwined. The blood, revenge, sex, love, and power mix makes for drama; drama of the heady kind that the actors hope stays restricted to their screen lives. Because "real life should be simple".
Don Kaleen Bhaiya (Pankaj Tripathi), good-girl-gone-badass Golu Gupta, and second wife to the don, Bina Tripathi (Rasika Dugal) discuss the many interpretations of morality.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
In season 2 of the series, are the characters grappling more deeply with the concept of morality?
Rasika Dugal: When I was offered the role of Bina Tripathi, I was excited to play a woman who is not morally upright. We are uncomfortable usually, with narratives where women exploit their desires and sexuality. They are labelled immoral. But, Bina is not afraid. She is also a risk taker, who gets a thrill out of doing dangerous things. I didn't judge her. I have never judged people like her. I look at her with admiration, because her physicality is so different from mine. I may be awkward at times, and shy, too. But women like Bina are beautiful actually, open about their needs.
Of course, she faces the consequences for being bold and a woman. I was heartbroken at her plight at the end of season 1. She is humiliated. Now, her motivation is to regain her self-respect, and also revenge.
Shweta Tripathi Sharma: As an actor, I am blessed because I get to be and understand different personalities. What is right for me, may be wrong for my character, and vice versa. Playing Gajgamini 'Golu' Gupta, has strangely, made me a better person. We, humans, are very quick to judge—this is right, that is wrong. Pankaj ji's character, or his son, Munna's, also taught me a lot. I ask why is Munna the bad penny—why is he the way he is? We push people to a corner, and then we call them bad, if they react. We must take responsibility for what we do to others. The morality in this show is muted—real life is far more scary.
Pankaj Tripathi: As actors, when we explore other personalities outside our own selves, our morality gets stronger. In their crisis, their complexities, we find our moral compass. But the world of crime has no place for values. Perhaps by watching a show like this, the audience might understand what morality is really. When they see it go all over the place, they may understand what abandoning their morals can lead to.
Kaleen Bhaiya is a businessman, and also a don, but not publicly. At the end of season 1, he declares, however, that he is a Bahubali. He wants Munna to be like him. Although, his morals on the surface seem correct, deep down, there are problems [unlike the out and out grey Munna]. In real life, I think we find more people like Kaleen, less like Munna.
This season, several of you are also making the journey from good or semi-good to evil. How has life changed your beliefs?
STS: Golu is a headstrong girl, who has been challenged to face her own beliefs. The people she loved have been snatched away. To see something as brutal as your family being killed as you look on helplessly, changes you. Her priorities are now different, as is her environment. The show is about relationships actually—husband and wife, and two people who are now stuck together because of what happens to them [Golu and Guddu; Ali Fazal]. Her turning to revenge and violence makes my personal belief stronger—that if you pick up the gun, the end won't be nice. No one in Mirzapur is happy.
What causes more havoc — love or the thirst for power?
STS: Anything that leads to obsession can cause havoc. Even being addicted to a particular food or working out. Balance and respect are key. For example, I don't get obsessed by feedback. Which is why trolling doesn't bother me. I don't see too much into the comments, good or bad. If I let in the positivity and give it power, I will let in the negativity too. I want a lot of drama in my characters, but my life needs to be devoid of it.
PT: I agree. Characters should be complex, life should be simple. This is actually a story about three families—a policeman's, a don's and a lawyer's. They represent three sides of our society—the police, judiciary and crime. Everything is counted in terms of money, love and power. When crime mixes with judiciary and the sons of a lawyer join a don's gang—there is havoc.
What about the ordinary man, and his angst? Where does he stand in all this chaos?
PT: The power games every one is playing is for the common man to watch. Shweta, does anyone in our show really reflect society?
STS: Not really!
PT: The ordinary man is enjoying our misery.
STS: But we are all sort of ordinary too. When Guddu first has a glimpse of Kaleen Bhaiya's life, he says, 'oh, life should be like this'.
PT: Yes, like the young students in Golu's class—they think of the criminal life as a good life. It's looking at that charm and glamour, that the two sons of the lawyer, get drawn into a life of crime.
What's the audience taking away from the story, you think?
RD: I don't think there is a message, but if viewers find a bit of themselves in the show, I think we have been successful.
PT: You may think it is only entertainment, but there is a subtext to every story. Crime ki duniya kisi ko kabhi bhi behtar jagah nahin le jaati hai. If villains are from Mirzapur, so are the heroes. So, everyone comes from the same place. We all live in a grey area—we move from black into white and vice versa as it suits us.
STS: There is a lot to learn — don't judge. If if you have a problem, talk about it. Conversation always leads to solutions. And, let the madness be on screen — make memes about the show and that's that. Don't get inspired by us.
Kubbra Sait, Rasika Dugal, José Covaco open up on their plans as soon as lockdown is lifted
8:41 AM
Depravation is perfect to learn what you took for granted. With the end to the Coronavirus lockdown nowhere in sight, we asked around for must-dos when freedom will be ours
MID-DAY (April 12, 2020)
José Covaco, Host and comic:
When all of this is behind us, I am going to lock myself indoors for another month— just to be absolutely sure the virus has gone.
After that, I am going straight to Jay Sandwich near National College in Bandra and ask him to make me a cheese grilled, ‘mast upar se chutney mar ke’. God knows how much I’ve missed the place and the whole nonchalance of it. The whole waiting and looking around while you wait for your sandwich to be made, hot and fresh off the grill, is exhilarating. I love junk food— to me, it’s about freedom and that feeling of not worrying about life. After being at home for so long, that is the exact feeling I want to experience again— of not being worried about things we took for granted.
Kubbra Sait, Actor
The one place I want to revisit when the world comes back to the new normal is the pani puri guy whose shop I have been eating at for six years. My mouth is watering while I tell you this. His shop is at 10th Road, Juhu, and he has a tiny tarp with an umbrella.
This uncle looks like an egg and he gives me two dry puris instead of one. It makes me feel special. I try and not stop when I’m driving past, but nine out of 10 times, I end up eating there. The days I like to indulge, I get myself a sev puri as well. I hope I haven’t let the fear lodge inside me, to say that touch and food and hugs are infectious. We have taken them lightly and not cared for them, and that pani puri symbolises freedom to me.
Rasika Dugal, Actor
I will go for a run. Starting from Carter Road via Joggers Park and going to Bandra Bandstand. I love that route. It takes you through different spaces in the city. From the breezy Carter to a rather full Joggers Park where you unintentionally catch snippets of the most varied conversations— stock market ups and downs, recipes, building society issues— to the narrow lanes of Chimbai village which comes with its own mix of aromas, from fish to burnt chai to the quiet of St Andrews’ Church, which is suddenly dispelled by the noise of Hill Road as you take the turn to read the sometimes hilarious ‘ thought for the day’ on the board outside. Then, you run into the Salman Khan fans waiting outside Galaxy and the many, many lovers of Bandstand. Bhel puri on Turner Road, pani puri at Punjab Sweets and a drink with my friends at Totos! And some ragi chips from Neelam Foods in Khar to take back home.
Purva Naresh, Theatre writer-director
The first thing that I’d like to do is to grab my bag, my overnight case, IDs and head to the nearest airport. I’d look at the schedule and buy a ticket for a destination I can afford. I’ll walk in, clear security, buy myself a coffee and a book and wait to go someplace new or familiar. Or just someplace else.
And cherish the feeling of being on the brink of a new travel. Airport coffee always tastes so good. The view of parked air planes, people on the move, suitcases labelled with different addresses, the name of new cities on the PA system and that black coffee, going glug, glug, glug down my throat as I inhale in the promise of a new adventure.
Having said that, this whole thing is going to make me look at travel from a very different perspective. Of being more conscious of our carbon footprint and being a responsible traveller.
MID-DAY (April 12, 2020)
José Covaco, Host and comic:
When all of this is behind us, I am going to lock myself indoors for another month— just to be absolutely sure the virus has gone.
After that, I am going straight to Jay Sandwich near National College in Bandra and ask him to make me a cheese grilled, ‘mast upar se chutney mar ke’. God knows how much I’ve missed the place and the whole nonchalance of it. The whole waiting and looking around while you wait for your sandwich to be made, hot and fresh off the grill, is exhilarating. I love junk food— to me, it’s about freedom and that feeling of not worrying about life. After being at home for so long, that is the exact feeling I want to experience again— of not being worried about things we took for granted.
Kubbra Sait, Actor
The one place I want to revisit when the world comes back to the new normal is the pani puri guy whose shop I have been eating at for six years. My mouth is watering while I tell you this. His shop is at 10th Road, Juhu, and he has a tiny tarp with an umbrella.
This uncle looks like an egg and he gives me two dry puris instead of one. It makes me feel special. I try and not stop when I’m driving past, but nine out of 10 times, I end up eating there. The days I like to indulge, I get myself a sev puri as well. I hope I haven’t let the fear lodge inside me, to say that touch and food and hugs are infectious. We have taken them lightly and not cared for them, and that pani puri symbolises freedom to me.
Rasika Dugal, Actor
I will go for a run. Starting from Carter Road via Joggers Park and going to Bandra Bandstand. I love that route. It takes you through different spaces in the city. From the breezy Carter to a rather full Joggers Park where you unintentionally catch snippets of the most varied conversations— stock market ups and downs, recipes, building society issues— to the narrow lanes of Chimbai village which comes with its own mix of aromas, from fish to burnt chai to the quiet of St Andrews’ Church, which is suddenly dispelled by the noise of Hill Road as you take the turn to read the sometimes hilarious ‘ thought for the day’ on the board outside. Then, you run into the Salman Khan fans waiting outside Galaxy and the many, many lovers of Bandstand. Bhel puri on Turner Road, pani puri at Punjab Sweets and a drink with my friends at Totos! And some ragi chips from Neelam Foods in Khar to take back home.
Purva Naresh, Theatre writer-director
The first thing that I’d like to do is to grab my bag, my overnight case, IDs and head to the nearest airport. I’d look at the schedule and buy a ticket for a destination I can afford. I’ll walk in, clear security, buy myself a coffee and a book and wait to go someplace new or familiar. Or just someplace else.
And cherish the feeling of being on the brink of a new travel. Airport coffee always tastes so good. The view of parked air planes, people on the move, suitcases labelled with different addresses, the name of new cities on the PA system and that black coffee, going glug, glug, glug down my throat as I inhale in the promise of a new adventure.
Having said that, this whole thing is going to make me look at travel from a very different perspective. Of being more conscious of our carbon footprint and being a responsible traveller.
These are difficult times but keep your mind occupied-Rasika Dugal
8:22 AM
Actor Rasika Dugal says with the ongoing events (Coronavirus lockdown) around, she has been feeling quite hopeless, but she is taking her mind off of things by cooking, reading and taking an online course
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 27, 2020)
Everyone is dealing with this period of self-quarantine in their own manner. While some are enjoying this forced break, others are cooking, reading and catching up with their family members. Rasika Dugal is doing all of this and much more. “There are so many things that I haven’t done for years. I am good at spending time with myself. It comes effortlessly to me. I am reading a lot as it feels so good to hold a book in my hands. I am also watching series and films that I missed out on. I am exercising, too as I have a number of home workouts which I never got around to using. They are doable with a yoga mat, a kettle bell and some furniture,” she says adding she is also cooking, cleaning, reading scripts, gardening, taking an online course, and talking to friends and family, especially ones who live alone.
Dugal is most excited about her online course which is on “religion, conflict and peace”. It requires four to six hours a week and she is glad that she can do it in her own time. “With all that’s been happening in our country these last few months, I have felt a sense of hopelessness like never before. I thought an academic insight into polarisation and religious conflict, through examples in history, might help,” she shares.
Talking about the pandemic and its effects, she says, “These are difficult times. There is a lot of information out there, which can often be conflicting and confusing, too. Moreover, it is saddening that so many lives have been lost. I am also worried about what this will do to our economy and the daily wage labourers. While it’s important to receive all the information and stay updated, it is also important to not panic. For right now, I am following the rules set out by the authorities in order to control the spread of the virus. I am keeping my mind occupied and trying to be there for people around me as much as I can.”
To keep busy, the Delhi Crime actor is enjoying cooking the most and taking care of her house in the absence of her house help. “I have realised that one-dish meals are the answer to dealing with the overload of house work that most of us are facing right now. Cooking two meals a day, doing laundry and dishes and cleaning the house, without any help, can end up taking all your time. Nothing super fancy is cooking in my kitchen, just simple one-dish meals. I made pav bhaji, egg curry and sambar rice which was a lot of fun to cook,” she says.
The subject of Delhi Crime needed to be dealt with sensitivity-Rasika Dugal
8:32 AM
Fetching Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nominations for Out of Love and Delhi Crime in the upcoming mid-day and Radio City Hitlist Web Awards, Rasika explains why doing the latter was cathartic
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; February 18, 2020)
Ever so rarely, an actor comes across a piece of art so strong that it almost becomes cathartic. For Rasika Dugal, Delhi Crime proved to be that. Based on the 2012 Nirbhaya case, the Richie Mehta-directed series was widely appreciated for its powerful storytelling. "All of us had felt a lot of emotions about the Nirbhaya incident. [Among other emotions], I felt the guilt of having moved on from it too quickly. By being a part of this show, I tended to the incident in the way I wanted to," says Dugal, whose quiet but steely act as probationary officer Neeti Singh has earned her a Best Supporting Actor (Female) nomination in the upcoming mid-day and Radio City Hitlist Web Awards.
The actor reveals that she did two rounds of auditions for the police procedural — one for the casting director, and another with co-star Shefali Shah. "The subject needed to be dealt with a lot of sensitivity. But I was confident that Richie would have written something important." To prep for the series, Dugal shadowed a police officer. "I didn't want to depict anything incorrectly in the police procedural. If I am playing a cop, I [can't afford to] get the salute wrong. Similarly, I will never do a scene where I am seen waking up with make-up. These are few things I had in mind when I graduated from film school," she smiles.
Her conscientious approach has held her in good stead. The actor is one of the few artistes to have bagged two nominations at the upcoming gala, including the Best Actor (Female) nod for her act in Out Of Love (below). "Since I had never headlined a show, before Out Of Love, I wanted to check if I could hold the audience's attention when I am in every frame."
She credits directors Tigmanshu Dhulia and Aijaz Khan for extracting a fine performance from her in the drama. "I remember being anxious while doing the dinner-table sequence. I felt my emotions were not intense enough for the camera [but the director okayed the shot]. Finally, when I saw it on screen, it was pitch perfect."
More About Delhi Crime, Out Of Love
- The makers of Delhi Crime didn't get an official nod from Nirbhaya's parents to narrate the story. It was alluded that they raised concerns about its fictional nature
- The house that forms the backdrop in Out Of Love was the one also seen as the Kapoors' residence in Kapoor & Sons (2016)
Cast Your Vote For The Hitlist Web Awards
Rasika Dugal has been nominated in the Best Actor (Female) category for Hotstar's Out Of Love.
The other nominees are:
- Shefali Shah (Delhi Crime; Netflix)
- Sobhita Dhulipala (Made In Heaven; Amazon Prime)
- Shweta Tripathi Sharma (Laakhon Mein Ek; Amazon Prime)
- Geetanjali Kulkarni (Gullak; Sony LIV)
- Mithila Palkar (Little Things S03; Netflix)
- Dia Mirza (Kaafir; Zee5)
Dugal is also nominated in the Best Supporting Actor (Female) category for Netflix's Delhi Crime.
The other nominees are:
- Shivani Raghuvanshi (Made In Heaven; Amazon Prime)
- Priyamani (The Family Man; Amazon Prime)
- Amruta Subhash (Sacred Games S02; Netflix)
- Nidhi Singh (MOM; ALTBalaji)
- Navni Parihar (Little Things S03; Netflix)
- There are 14 categories that the public can vote in. Log on to www.hitlistwebawards.com to cast your vote.
- You can also vote via SMS. Send HITLIST <space> category name <space> your choice (a/b/c/d as on the website) to 57575.
- Voting lines close on March 8
Shooting for a lead role is exhausting, especially in a web show-Rasika Dugal
7:52 AM
After her last few hit web shows, Rasika Dugal is thrilled to be playing a lead in a new project, says she would be physical exhausted on certain days
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 26, 2019)
In the last one-and-a-half years Rasika Dugal has appeared in diverse web shows including Mirzapur, Delhi Crime, and Humoursly Yours, among others. Currently working on Mirzapur 2, Delhi Crime 2, A Suitable Boy and other projects, the actor explains why the high of playing the lead in a project is unparalleled. She also talks about the time she didn’t have good roles but was busy nevertheless. Excerpts:
After noteworthy character roles in various web shows and films, was it a high to play a lead in your latest web show?
Years ago, I played the lead in Kshay (2011), which was a character-driven role. It was a true blue indie film as we shot it when we had money, or on weekends, and we hoped that one day, our stories would make for good conversations. I thought my role in Qissa (2015) was a lead part as I never thought it was a supporting role. But if we are talking about a story that revolves around a character then after Kshay, my first lead role would be in this new web show.
How was the experience of shooting the series?
In the last one-and-a-half years, I was thrilled to have had exciting roles in some varied and interesting projects. But I also wanted to sink my teeth into a role that drives the narrative. So, when this web show came, the actor me felt satisfied. You relate to some characters instantly, and my role in Manto (2018) was one such role. Playing the lead in this show was exciting and challenging, but also rigourous work as I was in almost every scene. Shooting for a lead role is exhausting, especially in a web show. I shot for 50 days out of the 53 days of total shoot. Due to extreme physical exhaustion on certain days, I had to rely on my instincts while acting.
Though you started acting in 2007, your career seems to have taken off in the last two years. It must have been tough to wait for roles that showcased your talent?
I was always busy doing something or the other in Mumbai, so it never felt that way. I did a lot of theatre including The Vagina Monologues for nine years, and also did work that was not well-recognised at that point. The gap between film and theatre roles was trying at times. Like the gap between Kshay, Qissa and Manto was tough, and I was dying to do more work though I did many small roles in many films in the beginning of my career even though people advised me against it. They felt people won’t give me better roles if I didn’t do short roles, but I felt acting is the only way to show people what I can do. I did TV shows like Powder and Kismat, too.
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