Rasika Dugal’s recent comments at the We The Women Asia event in Mumbai have sparked a heated debate online. The actor, known for her striking performance as Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur, said she rejects misogynistic scripts — and would not accept a film like Animal. The internet, however, was quick to point out that her own breakout role wasn’t exactly free of violence, exploitation, or morally grey storytelling.
What Rasika Said at the Event
Asked about non-negotiables while choosing films, Rasika explained that she avoids projects that “celebrate misogyny” or “serve propaganda.”
“The things that I won’t do is celebrate misogyny or be part of a propaganda film. Those are non-negotiable for me,” she said. When asked directly whether she would refuse Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal, she responded that she would.
She later clarified that an actor doesn’t have to personally mirror the politics of their character. Specifically referencing her role in Mirzapur, she said:
“I would be very happy to play a character whose politics doesn’t sync with mine… I am not Beena Tripathi in real life. I don’t go around killing people and violating men. That’s wildly exciting as a performer.”
Why the Internet Wasn’t Convinced
Social media users quickly called her stance contradictory. Many argued that Mirzapur — notorious for its brutality, sexual violence, and dark power dynamics — features equal or greater misogyny than Animal.
Some reactions included:
Even singer Malini Awasthi weighed in, criticising Rasika for displaying “double standards” despite playing Mrs Tripathi in a show filled with morally murky choices.
Others accused actors of making selective, socially palatable statements during public appearances, with one user commenting that stars “feel pressured to say dumb woke stuff in interviews.”
Context: Why This Exploded Online
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna, has been a lightning rod for controversy since its 2023 release, drawing criticism for its violent tone and treatment of women — much like Vanga’s earlier hit Kabir Singh.
Meanwhile, Mirzapur, created by Karan Anshuman for Prime Video, has run for three seasons (2018, 2020, 2024) and has become iconic for its gritty portrayal of crime, gendered violence, corruption, and her relationship with father in law, maid, stepson — elements critics say make Rasika’s moral lecture sound selective.
Final Words
Rasika Dugal’s remarks have re-opened the longstanding debate about artistic choices and who gets to define misogyny in storytelling. While the actor argues that performers can explore dark characters without endorsing their worldview, online audiences aren’t ready to let go of the contradiction between turning down a film like Animal and embracing a character like Beena Tripathi.
