SMALL is BIG!

RASIKA DUGAL CONFIDES IN TANISHA BHATTACHARYA THAT SHE HAS NEVER LET THE LENGTH OF HER ROLES DEFINE HER

There's a separate fan club made up of people who find Rasika Dugal hot. Tell her that and she blushes. She'd rather be known for her acting chops than her oomph quotient. Thanks to Mirzapur, she's been appreciated for both. Delhi Crime The series has made her a household name. She has a degree in mathematics and was all set for a life in academics when the acting bug bit her. That led her to gaining an acting diploma from FTII. Her breakthrough role came in Qissa (2013), where she played a girl duped into marrying a girl masquerading as a boy. Her role of Manto's wife Safia in Nandita Das' autobiographical film about the celebrated playwright further cemented her career. OTT series like Delhi Crime and Adhura, besides Mirzapur have made people aware of her versatility. Presenting excerpts from a chat with the actress who knows how to make an impression even through bit roles.

DID YOU EXPERIENCE A CULTURE SHOCK MOVING FROM A SMALL TOWN LIKE JAMSHEDPUR TO MUMBAI?

I studied in Delhi, so I was already used to being away from home. It wasn’t new to me. When I first moved to Delhi, I did feel quite homesick. But there were so many people from Jamshedpur there, so I was okay. Then I moved to Mumbai to study Communications Media at Sophia’s. After that, I went to Pune and completed my acting course before returning to Mumbai once again. So, I have been around and lived in different cities.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO RASIKA FROM JAMSHEDPUR TODAY?

I would love to tell myself that life is going to be good and filled with lots of fun experiences. Pace yourself and have more fun. I was always so focused on work. When you’re from a small town living in a big city, you feel the need to justify your presence. I always felt that pressure to make every day count and to achieve quickly.

WHAT KIND OF FILMS DID YOU LOVE WATCHING WHILE GROWING UP?