06 March,2026 04:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pratibha Rannta
The film Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, gave one of the most promising young actors, Pratibha Rannta, a role of a lifetime and served as the stepping stone to her cinematic career. For her, however, finding a project that could match the impact of Laapataa Ladies wasn't easy. After appearing in Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Pratibha explores another gripping genre with Accused, a Netflix original directed by Anubhuti Kashyap.
"There was so much love coming in. My debut raised so many standards. I kept wondering if I would ever be able to do something that could achieve what Laapataa Ladies did," she says.
Pratibha admits that the period following the film's release was confusing, as she read several scripts but struggled to find the right one until Accused came her way. "Oh my God, I think I can finally see myself in this space," she recalls. She adds that the shooting experience was equally refreshing. "There was silence on set. Nobody was shouting, and it was so rare to see that."
In Accused, Rannta plays one half of a lesbian couple whose relationship is tested after one of them faces an accusation of sexual harassment at the workplace. Taking on such an unconventional role meant facing doubts from some people around her.
"So many people asked, âAre you sure you want to do a film like this? It's a big risk.' But I wanted to give it a shot and step into a space where I could differentiate myself as an artiste. I didn't want to repeat myself. It felt right," she says.
Pratibha also shares screen space for the first time with Konkona SenSharma, who is known for making thoughtful choices and portraying layered characters. Recalling her experience working with Sharma, Pratibha says, "I remember being nervous to meet her. She gave me so much space as an artiste to perform, and that helped me. After pack-up, she would suggest we go for a walk. I think that helped us understand each other better and build comfort, which eventually showed on screen. A secure actor always makes sure that the co-actor also feels safe."
Speaking about the film, Pratibha says it explores the complexities of human relationships. "When you love someone, you give them the benefit of doubt. It's not easy to instantly believe they could do something wrong," she explains. "You don't want to give up on them - you want to stay until the very end."
After Accused, Pratibha Rannta will next be seen in The Revolutionaries, a series directed by Nikkhil Advani for Amazon Prime Video.
