EP-447 | “I Thought I Wasn’t Right for Mirzapur Role”: Rasika Dugal on Bollywood, OTT & Patriarchy

<p>Rasika Dugal is known for her performances in films and streaming series such as Mirzapur, Delhi Crime, Manto, Qissa and Out of Love. A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India, she is best known for playing Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur, a role that brought her widespread recognition. </p><p><br></p><p>In this ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dugal discusses why she initially feared she was not right for Mirzapur and shares her experience of working with Pankaj Tripathi and Kulbhushan Kharbanda. She also remembers Irrfan Khan and explains what he taught her about being a good co-actor. Dugal speaks about how streaming platforms have transformed her career, the challenges women-led stories face, and the patriarchal expectations placed on women in the entertainment industry.</p><p><br></p><p>*Timestamps*</p><p><br></p><p>0:00 – Introduction</p><p>0:34 – Acting Style</p><p>3:05 – Family&#39;s Reaction to Acting</p><p>4:12 – Moving to Mumbai</p><p>6:58 – Studying at FTII</p><p>9:49 – Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur</p><p>15:07 – Intimate Scenes in Mirzapur</p><p>22:17 – Working With Kulbhushan Kharbanda</p><p>26:28 – Role in Delhi Crime</p><p>29:03 – Long-Form Storytelling</p><p>31:51 – Working With Irrfan Khan</p><p>34:15 – Working in Manto</p><p>37:25 – Scrutiny on Women Actors</p><p>42:17 – Importance of Small Details</p><p>44:11 – Violence in Mirzapur and Delhi Crime</p><p>46:09 – Creative Freedom on Sets</p><p>52:29 – Beena Tripathi’s Revenge in Mirzapur</p><p>54:49 – Working With Saif Ali Khan</p><p>59:07 – Being an Outsider</p><p>1:03:07 – Women’s Stories in Indian Cinema</p><p>1:04:13 – Working With Male and Female Directors</p><p>1:09:07 – How AI Can Help Filmmakers</p><p>1:12:43 – Conclusion</p><p><br></p>