Actress Radhika Mehrotra, currently revels in the triumph of her recent web series, Kaala Paani (Dark Water). Her character as Dr Ritu Gagra has garnered widespread acclaim for its sheer brilliance, demonstrating her exceptional acting prowess. Through her captivating performance, Radhika managed to resonate deeply with the audience, leaving a lasting impression on many. Radhika speaks exclusively to The Free Press Journal about her experience in showbiz, shooting in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and more.
Radhika begins by asserting that she was born with an acting bug in her. “My father has been a big fan of the movies and since childhood, he made sure that we were exposed to cinema. However, it was during my college days that I found theatre and fell in love with stage. I decided to hone my craft and went on to pursue acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York,” she recalls.
Radhika was shortlisted for the role after a round of auditions with directors Sameer Saxena and Amit Golani. She shares, “I just couldn’t believe it at first. All credit goes to casting director Vaibhav Vishant. I called him, who assured me that I wasn’t dreaming and it was all happening! I had won the lottery!”
Speaking on how she prepped for a role that was high on emotions and required medical lingo, Radhika avers, “Everything that I required for the character was made available to me by the writer of the show Biswapati Sarkar. It is a very well-researched show and I could rely 100% on the script. Also, I’m a medical drama aficionado so I guess that helped a bit.”
Radhika plays a young doctor, who encounters several hurdles to save lives in this survival drama. From being dumbed down by her seniors to dealing with corrupt officials, she braves it all. When asked if she relates to any of the traits of her role, she explains, “The one thing that I related with Ritu’s character was that she was always focused on what she thought was the most important than what everybody else felt or thought. More or less that has been my life, so love and respect to everyone but as Nancy Sinatra says ‘These boots are meant for walking..and that’s just what they’ll do.’”
Sharing her experience working with Mona Singh and Ashutosh Gowariker, Radhika states, “It was an absolute delight. I’m so happy and grateful that I got to work with them in my debut. Mona has such an infectious energy, she’s filled with warmth and love. It’s a lot of fun being around her and needless to say she’s fantastic. Ashutosh sir is the sweetest, I had a great time shooting with him.”
Radhika revealed that shooting in Andaman and Nicobar Islands was extremely surreal and that the unit would go for hikes and scuba diving on their day off. “The locals were extremely friendly and made us feel at home. I hope and pray that it stays this way and yet we all get to see it once in our lifetime,” she says.
As fans are eager to know if the show will have a second season, Radhika concludes by saying, “Fingers crossed.”
