Yash Raj Films is famously protective of its antagonists, often cloaking them in secrecy until the big reveal. This was certainly the strategy for Prajesh Kashyap, the actor behind Ramanujan, the calculating mastermind and surprise villain of Mardaani 3. In the film, Prajesh's character aligns with the fearsome matriarch Amma (portrayed by Mallika Prasad Sinha). In an exclusive conversation with mid-day, the actor reflects on his professional trajectory and the experience of going toe-to-toe with Rani Mukerji.

Prajesh Kashyap on bagging Mardaani 3

Prajesh, who was studying at Drama School Mumbai, maintains that he has no idea how YRF’s casting director, Shanoo Sharma, discovered him eight years ago. Thereafter, she called him to audition for various projects while he simultaneously pursued theatre. “She had more faith in my ability than I did!” He approached the audition for Mardaani 3 not expecting a callback, giving it his best and moving on, but fate had other plans. "This time I got lucky, and maybe I was at the right place at the right time. Prepared and hungry for a part like this,” he shares.