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

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.

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.

*Timestamps*

0:00 – Introduction

0:34 – Acting Style

3:05 – Family's Reaction to Acting

4:12 – Moving to Mumbai

6:58 – Studying at FTII

9:49 – Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur

15:07 – Intimate Scenes in Mirzapur

22:17 – Working With Kulbhushan Kharbanda

26:28 – Role in Delhi Crime

29:03 – Long-Form Storytelling

31:51 – Working With Irrfan Khan

34:15 – Working in Manto

37:25 – Scrutiny on Women Actors

42:17 – Importance of Small Details

44:11 – Violence in Mirzapur and Delhi Crime

46:09 – Creative Freedom on Sets

52:29 – Beena Tripathi’s Revenge in Mirzapur

54:49 – Working With Saif Ali Khan

59:07 – Being an Outsider

1:03:07 – Women’s Stories in Indian Cinema

1:04:13 – Working With Male and Female Directors

1:09:07 – How AI Can Help Filmmakers

1:12:43 – Conclusion