Rasika Dugal (born 17 January 1985) is an Indian actress who works primarily in Hindi-language films, television serials and web series. She is known for her work in independent and acclaimed films such as Manto (2018) and Hamid (2018), as well as for her performances in popular streaming series including Mirzapur, Delhi Crime and Made in Heaven.
| Born | 17 January 1985 |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Spouse | Mukul Chadda |
| Notable films | Manto, Hamid, Qissa, Tu Hai Mera Sunday |
| Notable web series | Mirzapur, Delhi Crime, Made in Heaven, Out of Love, A Suitable Boy |
Dugal made her screen debut with a small role in the film Anwar (2007), and later the same year appeared in No Smoking (2007). She went on to be cast in a number of critically appreciated films, including Aurangzeb (2013), Qissa (2015), Train Station (2015), Tu Hai Mera Sunday (2017) and Hamid (2018).
In 2018, Dugal appeared in the biographical film Manto, based on the life of the Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto. She portrayed Safia, Manto's wife, a performance that earned her a first Screen Award nomination in the category of Best Supporting Actress.
She has also been seen in films such as Lootcase and Darbaan, with her performances in both being well received.
Dugal's breakthrough on streaming platforms came in 2018 with the Amazon Prime Video original series Mirzapur, for which she received a nomination at the Indian Television Academy Awards in the category of Best Actress in a Web Series. She has since drawn critical praise for her work in a series of web productions, including:
Alongside her film and web work, Dugal has been active in Indian television. Her serial credits include Powder (2010), Kismat (2010), Upanishad Ganga (2012) and P.O.W. – Bandi Yuddh Ke (2016).
Dugal co-wrote a short film titled Banana Bread with her husband, actor Mukul Chadda. In 2020, she featured in a comic podcast titled Uncovidable, created by Vekeana Dhillon and available on the Audible platform.
Dugal is married to actor Mukul Chadda, with whom she has also collaborated creatively.
Dugal is regarded as a notable presence in contemporary Indian independent cinema and the streaming era of Indian entertainment. Her body of work spans mainstream films, art-house cinema, biographical drama and long-form web series, and reflects the broadening landscape of acting opportunities for performers working outside the conventional star system.