Shunning Stereotypes

Writer-producer Kanika Dhillon returns with Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba, whose divisive lead character Rani makes unapologetic choices and is anything but docile

- Suhani Singh

In 2021, Haseen Dillruba grabbed headlines as it became one of the most-watched Netflix original films. It also provoked much discussion of its lead character, Rani (played by Taapsee Pannu). A steamy romantic thriller, it saw Rani cheat on her husband and then tolerate his emotional and physical abuse in the second half. That it was written by a woman-Kanika Dhillon-particularly irked detractors. With the sequel-Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba-releasing on August 9, Dhillon wouldn't mind more fireworks on social media. "Amla deliberately provocative writer? Not necessarily," she says. "It's just that my heroines make unapologetic choices, which are read as provocative."