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 – Introduction0:34 – Acting Style3:05 – Family's Reaction to Acting4:12 – Moving to Mumbai6:58 – Studying at FTII9:49 – Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur15:07 – Intimate Scenes in Mirzapur22:17 – Working With Kulbhushan Kharbanda26:28 – Role in Delhi Crime29:03 – Long-Form Storytelling31:51 – Working With Irrfan Khan34:15 – Working in Manto37:25 – Scrutiny on Women Actors42:17 – Importance of Small Details44:11 – Violence in Mirzapur and Delhi Crime46:09 – Creative Freedom on Sets52:29 – Beena Tripathi’s Revenge in Mirzapur54:49 – Working With Saif Ali Khan59:07 – Being an Outsider1:03:07 – Women’s Stories in Indian Cinema1:04:13 – Working With Male and Female Directors1:09:07 – How AI Can Help Filmmakers1:12:43 – Conclusion