Harshita Gaur is reprising her much-loved role as Dimpy Pandit in Mirzapur: The Movie. In an exclusive conversation with Filmfare, the actor opened up about returning to the franchise, Dimpy’s decision to stay away from violence, her journey from engineering to acting, her struggles after Sadda Haq, her transition from television to OTT, her interest in item songs and romance, and her upcoming projects.
You have returned as Dimpy in Mirzapur: The Movie. What was it like stepping back into the world of Mirzapur?
It was very interesting and fascinating. For me, the film was a celebration and a chance to go back to working with people who have become like family. Dimpy may not have a lot to do in the film, but I was very happy to be a part of it. It is also a celebration of all the love that we have received for the series.
Dimpy has always stayed away from the violence that defines Mirzapur. What makes her strength unique?
I think the writing of Dimpy is beautiful. She is the only character who consistently steps away from violence and chooses not to be a part of it. Her strength lies in not choosing violence. The makers consciously kept her that way because they wanted to show some normalcy in a world that is otherwise so chaotic and violent.
What was it like transitioning from television to OTT with Mirzapur?
Initially, I actually said no. OTT was still new, and I was thinking about things in a more conventional cinema or television way. After Sadda Haq, I didn’t want to play anybody’s sister because my understanding of sister roles was very conventional.
Gurmeet Singh’s assistant had seen my book and portfolio and called me. I actually hung up. Later, the team asked me to meet the director and writer. I went there thinking I would say no, but then I met Gurmeet Singh and Puneet Krishna.
They explained what the character was and what it could become in Season 2. That’s when I realised they weren’t looking at Dimpy as a conventional sister character. Gurmeet’s narration made it clear that they were adding value to the character. I would have regretted saying no.
You have spoken about going through a difficult phase after Sadda Haq. What was that period like?
The show ended in October 2016. I had been working for around 14 hours a day for three years, and suddenly there was no work. I didn’t know what actors were supposed to do when they weren’t working.
Around 2017, I went through a very difficult phase and later realised that I had gone into depression. At that time, conversations around mental health weren’t as common. I didn’t know how to navigate it. I had worked continuously and suddenly found myself standing in two-hour audition lines for advertisements.
There have been other dips in my career too, including during lockdown when I didn’t shoot for almost two years. But now my mind and body know what to do when those phases come. When I was 21 or 22, I was much more vulnerable and didn’t know how to deal with it.
You are a trained Kathak dancer. Would you be open to doing an item song?
I would love to do one. I look at it from the perspective of dance and expression. If the setup is good, the song is good and there is an interesting part to play, I would be open to it.
I love Urmila Matondkar’s dancing, especially in Chamma Chamma. I also really liked Tamannaah Bhatia in Aaj Ki Raat. I like songs where the woman isn’t merely there to please men, but where there is art, strength and a sense of owning one’s sexuality.
Would you like to explore romance on screen?
I would absolutely love to do a romantic film or character. My favourite romantic film is Ijaazat. I would also love to work with Diljit Dosanjh.
As far as films are concerned, Ali Fazal could be interesting for romantic work because we have played brother and sister for so long. It would be interesting to see us in a completely different space. I admire him as an actor, and if an opportunity comes along, it would be amazing.
What does your friendship with Param Singh mean to you?
Param is one of my closest friends, and he continues to be one of my closest friends to date. We can meet, party, talk about anything and everything. It is a friendship that I treasure for life.
Which actors have inspired you?
Tabu is someone I really admire. I love her performances in Maqbool, Chandni Bar, Haider, Andhadhun and Drishyam. I also love Rekha. Even when she played simple housewife characters, there was so much femininity and strength in her performances.
What can audiences expect from you next?
I have two Amazon shows coming up. One is with Emmay Entertainment and is directed by Gaurav and Ananya Banerjee. It is Nikkhil Advani’s show and is a horror project. It was earlier called Keher and is now titled Anarth.
The other show is with Divyenndu. It is directed by Sameer Vidwans, and Bhuvan Arora is also part of it. It is a very sweet show.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: filmfare.com
