Earlier this year, she was seen as a glam diva in Dil Dhadakne Do. As a young girl who finds love aboard a cruise, she pretty much held her own despite the presence of senior actresses like Priyanka Chopra and Anushka Sharma. With quite a few of her scenes opposite Ranveer Singh, she made her presence felt, and now. Ridhima Sud is now being seen in an altogether opposite characterization for Kajarya, a hard hitting dramatic film that deals with female infanticide. Making rounds of the festival circuits since 2013, the film is hitting the screens today and Ridhima is happy to see her debut film arrive in theaters.

Ridhima Sud

Ridhima Sud

When Kajarya came to you, was it a tough decision to actually go ahead and be part of it, considering its theme?

The theme was an added reason to be a part of the film. As an actor, if I can contribute towards women empowerment and bringing to the forefront some grave issues that still plague us as a society, I am happy to be able to do so. I am too new and don’t have enough clout to add value to charitable causes just by association yet. So as an actor, this was the most I could do to add value. Moreover, playing such a deeply layered and grey character as a lead so early in my career is a priceless opportunity that I am immensely grateful for.

Since you have just started your innings in the industry, Kajarya must have been quite a new world for you to explore, isn’t it?

It was indeed. I had just returned from New York and the subject as well as the character required me to instantly delve into sides of myself and the raw Indian-ness within me that I had either never explored or hadn’t explored in a long time. I observed all the Delhi girls I possibly could and even stole mannerisms from Madhureeta!

READ: I BROUGHT THE ACTORS TO A POINT WHERE THEY BECAME THE CHARACTERS

In the film you play a journalist who cracks a story of a lifetime.

The task of playing a journalist in such a hyper-real space and with so many layers was daunting but exciting because it’s a character that has to seem real and of this world, representing the woes of a young working woman living away from home in an urban landscape. She is not meant to be a larger than life Bollywood heroine.

As someone who was in a glam mode in Dil Dhadakne Do, a realistic portrayal as seen in Kajarya must have been an altogether unique experience, right?

It was indeed. Madhureeta’s style of working is unique too. I remember her telling me to bring more fight into my character. And that was Meera’s essence- there’s a fight in her – that you see in some aspects of her life more clearly and not so clearly in others. Her angst had converted into aggression in diametric opposition to Meenu’s angst. Noorie (the part that I played in Dil Dhadakne Do) had no aggression. She was soft but still very much her own person. I am excited that I have got to play two such varied roles so early in my career.

As a journalist in Kajarya

As a journalist in Kajarya

The film has you as a central protagonist along with Meenu Hooda. As an actor, it must have been a real high to feature as the main protagonist in such a strong film?

It was, and it was a steep learning curve as well. I am happy to have started with this because Madhureeta’s way of working really helped me understand a lot about filmmaking and subtlety. And of course, how to layer a performance.

READ: RICHA CHADHA’S BIG SIX FIX FOR ASPIRING ACTORS

What happens from this point in? Is there something interesting that you have already signed on, post Dil Dhadakne Do?

17 Ko Shaadi Hai is my next. It is an ensemble wedding film directed by debutant director Arshad Sayyed. It’s John Abraham and Shoojit Sircar’s co-production. It’s really funny as well as a slightly satirical representation of Indian Weddings. I am excited for it to release!

So is it going to be a mix of glam parts and realistic roles from you henceforth?

Yes! As an actor you want to do everything. I would love more roles with depth. Emotional scenes are deeply satisfying. And I want to explore comedy further as well.