Bollywood Hungama

Rasika Dugal on switching from Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur to Jessie Miranda in Little Thomas: The switch in accents was the confusing bit but also an interesting challenge

Rasika Dugal is set to return to the big screen with Little Thomas, taking on a character that is markedly different from the one audiences have come to associate with her in Mirzapur. While Beena Tripathi is known for her sharp gaze, controlled intensity and unapologetic attitude, Rasikas character Jessie Miranda belongs to a different emotional space, allowing the actress to explore a softer side of her craft. Set in 1990s Goa, Little Thomas follows the story of a young boy and his parents. Rasika plays Jessie Miranda, a mother whose world revolves around her family, her bakery and her love for music. The difference between Jessie and Beena goes beyond their appearances, with the actress making a conscious effort to develop a distinct identity for her latest character. Talking about working on Mirzapur and Little Thomas simultaneously, Rasika said, Surprisingly, I enjoyed juggling a crime action thriller and a dramedy. I guess one was a relief from the other, One of the challenges was switching between the accents required for the two projects. While Beenas character called for a strong North Indian Hindi accent, Jessie required a Goan accent. Explaining the experience, Rasika said, The switch in accents was the confusing bit but also an interesting challenge. The actress worked with a dialect coach to ensure that Jessies voice remained distinct and did not carry traces of her Mirzapur character. The effort was part of a larger process of separating the two personalities. While Beenas world is shaped by survival, power and revenge, Jessie is rooted in her family life and her passion for music. Rasika also spent months learning to play the piano for Little Thomas. Her preparation involved studying pieces by composers such as Mozart, Schumann and Chopin. Reflecting on how the process became an important part of building her character, she said, Jessie's love for playing the piano became more a part of my prep work than Kaushal and I intended it to be. But it unexpectedly gave me an entry into a world that I felt I didn't know so well. Rasika trained in piano for four months while working on the film. Recalling how she balanced the preparation with her other commitments, she said, I happily played away between filming scenes of a horror show. For the actress, learning the instrument became more than a requirement for the role. It offered her a way to understand Jessies interests and connect with a side of the character that was far removed from Beena Tripathi. Rather than carrying forward the intensity associated with her Mirzapur role, Rasika approached Jessie through her warmth, vulnerabilities and everyday experiences. With Little Thomas, Rasika continues to explore characters that occupy different emotional spaces. While Beena Tripathi remains one of her recognisable screen roles, Jessie Miranda gives her an opportunity to move away from that familiar persona and portray a woman whose life is shaped by family, music and quieter emotions. The contrast between the two characters also reflects the actresss effort to approach each role on its own terms. Also Read : EXCLUSIVE: Little Thomass director Kaushal Oza reveals why he set the film in the 90s instead of the present day: Kids today will simply Google where babies come from or ask ChatGPT!