Mrunal Thakur: Such nuanced roles for women are rare in this genre

While war dramas are usually male-centric, Mrunal Thakur says she was drawn to Pippa as her character drives the narrative

At their core, war dramas are about soldiers, about remembering and respecting their bravery and sacrifices. Pippa celebrates the Indian Army’s valour in the 1971 India-Pakistan War. But in seeing the war from the lens of three siblings, Raja Krishna Menon’s directorial venture also puts a woman character at the centre. Mrunal Thakur plays Radha, whose brothers —essayed by Ishaan Khatter and Priyanshu Painyuli—head to the battlefield. For Thakur, the lure was playing a crucial role in a genre that is usually male-heavy. “I was told that it’s a story of three siblings and their contribution to the Bangladesh war. That line itself made me say yes to the film. I was immediately drawn to the fact that the war drama is utilising the female character, making her a central figure. Such nuanced roles written for women are rare in this genre. Radha embodies the tenacity of women, showcasing not only emotional strength but also intellectual prowess,” she says.

In the Amazon Prime Video offering, the actor portrays a medical student, who gets recruited to specialise in cryptography and decode the communications of the opposing army. “I wanted to ensure that my portrayal of a cryptographer was as accurate as possible. The research team spent months getting every element right. I had to study symbols, signs, and their meanings. Learning the intricacies of cryptography with relevance to a war was fascinating because it’s so far 
removed from civilian life.”

Thakur credits Menon for crafting an author-backed role in Radha, and bringing a fresh perspective through her character. Praising the director’s meticulous approach, she says, “Making a war film is a huge responsibility, and Raja sir ensured Pippa was deeply researched with every aspect accurately depicted. He is very thorough, and I admire that the most about him.”

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