Rasika Dugal shocked viewers in the second season of Mirzapur as her character, the quiet Beena Tripathi, emerged as the mastermind behind the downfall of the Tripathi family. “The writing is deliciously wicked and unpredictable. What excited me about Beena’s persona was that she would have a body language, which is different from mine. She wears her sexuality on her sleeve in a dignified way, and is unapologetic about the way she is,” begins Dugal, who is nominated in the Best Supporting Actor (Series) category at the upcoming mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards.

Call it a quirk or her method of internalising her character, but Dugal likes to add a personal element to her roles. “It’s a gift from me to the character. It’s usually something small—a pouch for coins, a phone cover, or earrings.” As Beena, the actor decided to wear rings made of different gemstones. “I saw her as someone who is not God-fearing, but would probably be taking regular advice from an astrologer.”