Rasika Dugal on her recent short film, working with Naseeruddin Shah, and more

The ‘Mirzapur’ actor talks about her short film ‘The Miniaturist of Junagadh,’ that tells the tale of a family caught in the crosshairs of partition

After gaining fame across many platforms on-screen, Rasika Dugal now stars in short film The Miniaturist of Junagadh, a poignant tale of an artist and his family during the partition.

Husyn Naqqash (played by Naseeruddin Shah), an old miniature painter is forced to sell his home when his family has to move from Junagadh to Pakistan after the partition. Rasika who plays his daughter Noor, is trying to protect Husyn and her family in more ways than one. Released on May 25, 2022, on the platform Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films, the film is an adaptation of a short story by Stefan Zweig.

Rasika says the film is a very gently-told tale. “In the times that we live, many people confuse interesting as fast and pacey, and I think this film will break that myth for you.”

In a conversation with The Hindu, Rasika talks about playing Noor, her love for period dramas, the relevance of partition, the evolution of streaming platforms, and more.

Noor is a natural care-giver. She is very sensitive to other people’s needs around her, but has a naughtiness to her character as well. She is very connected to her father because she is in deep admiration of his craft.

She is an artist herself. Even though not a miniaturist like her father, Noor did a little art of her own, and these things carved her character.

The film was a very collaborative exercise.. It’s difficult to say what came from where, but everybody did their bit. I knew there was room to play around with everything, and I let myself be open to trying out new things.