According to actress Ragini Dwivedi, there is a subtle difference between glamor and vulgarity. The portrayal of the character does not depend on the clothes, but on the need and intention of the story. Today’s audience asks questions and artists have the freedom to make choices and say ‘no’.
New Delhi: The makers of the recently released film ‘Peddi’ were seriously accused of excessively sexualizing the character of actress Janhvi Kapoor. After this controversy, there are reports that the film team has cut those scenes and re-released the film. After this incident, the debate on glamour, the way actresses are portrayed on screen and the portrayal of female characters in mainstream cinema has once again intensified.
Talking on this issue, actress Ragini Dwivedi said, “This whole debate is not limited to just clothes or the look seen on screen. How a character is portrayed ultimately depends on the intentions of the filmmakers, the context of the story and the actor’s own choice.” Ragini has recently announced ‘R2’, the sequel of her 2014 superhit film ‘Ragini IPS’, which will take this franchise forward.
You can look respectable even wearing a bikini!
Ragini, who has been balancing both commercial and performance roles for over a decade, while talking about glamour, said, “There is a very thin line between glamor and vulgarity. You can look very respectable or attractive even wearing a bikini on screen. At the same time, you can look sensual or sexy even wearing full clothes. So, it is never just about the clothes.”
She further added, “When I started my career, there was a clear divide between the glamorous actress and the performance actress. I too have worn very skimpy and glamorous clothes on screen. But I always knew where to draw the line. This is a decision every actor has to take for himself. The problem starts when something is forced or shown without any reason.”
Today’s audience questions
Ragini talks about the mindset of today’s audience, “Earlier people used to accept certain things without questioning. But today when anything is shown, people question, ‘Why is it being shown? Is it important for the story?’ There should be a strong reason for showing a certain aspect of a character. If it is important for the story, the audience will definitely accept it. But if it is used just to grab people’s attention, people will definitely raise questions.”
Saying ‘no’ is the most powerful word; OTT brought change
Talking about the pressure an actress faces while working in big budget commercial films, Ragini said that today’s actors have more freedom and rights. “Saying ‘no’ is a very powerful word,” he stressed.
According to him, with the rise of OTT platforms, social media and independent cinema, today’s generation has more opportunities than ever before. “There was a time when opportunities were limited. But today there is a variety of content. If you are not comfortable with a scene or a subject, you can choose not to do it. But once you give the nod, you should be completely aware of what you are doing. Such things should be done even before the project starts,” he clarified.
Ragini’s new innings as a producer; ‘R2’ a new round
This ongoing debate on the portrayal of female characters is also impacting the choice of Ragini’s stories. Currently, she will be seen in ‘Vrushabha’ with Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and is awaiting the release of her period-drama film ‘Madanika’. Meanwhile, with the announcement of ‘R2’ it is K. Along with Manju, she is also starting her new innings as a producer.
Ragini said, “R2 will be the sequel to ‘Ragini IPS’ and the beginning of a new franchise. That film changed my life, and it is an honor to carry forward its legacy. Today, it is important to be a part of the entire creative process and not just acting. We have seen many successful franchises of heroes in different film industries of India. But there are very few examples of female-led franchises in South India. Our Cinema needs more such films.”