Actress Rasika Dugal, prominently known for the web series Mirzapur, relived her childhood memories of spending summer vacations in Chandigarh while in the city for a film festival. “It is such a coincidence that I am staying in Sector 17, which was a coveted place for us as kids when our grandparents took us to softy corner here as a reward for good behaviour,” she said in an exclusive chat with us.
Following a lineup of projects strong in storytelling- Qissa, Manto, Delhi Crime among others, Rasika now craves comedy to diversify her repertoire. “Contrary to what it seems from my body of work, I don’t feel the need to subscribe to a genre or gravitas,” she said, adding, “If fact, as a viewer, I am fascinated by comedy. Lighthearted roles are written less for women, hence I didn’t get offers. People don’t associate women with comedy, which is not fair because humour comes naturally to women who have sailed through lives and survived thankless situations using humour.”
Contrary to serious genres, Rasika feels levity can convey messages effortlessly. For reference she talks about her film Fairy Folk, which co-starred her husband Mukul Chadda. “Fairy Folk said what it had to, wrapped in comedy. I am interested in the idea of how comedy is a fun way to experiment with cinema. And most good comedy is saying something beyond its surface.”
In retrospect, Rasika feels fortunate. “Early on, I didn’t have the luxury of choice but even then, projects offered to me were written for a performer, like Anup Singh Batla’s Qissa. Few years later when I was struggling to find continuous work, Nandita Das offered me Manto. I was privileged to work with Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Irrfan, who were so senior yet viewed me as an equal.”
She believes that Indian cinema currently is a dream place for an actor. “Our industry is so vibrant, celebratory and versatile. When I travel to European film fests, I realise this fact. I don’t have to be anywhere else as an actor than in India right now,” she added.