Rasika Dugal: Audiences don’t want idealised women anymore; they want real women

Rasika Dugal believes audiences today are embracing women who feel authentic rather than idealised. Reflecting on her career, she says she has never deliberately sought morally ambiguous roles, but has always been drawn to characters that mirror the contradictions and complexities of real people. The actress feels the portrayal of women on screen has evolved beyond virtue and perfection to include ambition, vulnerability and flaws. For her, being an interesting character matters far more than being a likeable one. She hopes this shift continues, allowing women in stories to exist as layered, imperfect individuals instead of symbols of perfection.