Mumbai, Mar 06: Rising actor Pratibha Ranta, who won widespread appreciation for her debut in Laapataa Ladies, says she consciously chose a challenging and unconventional role in Anubhuti Kashyap’s upcoming Netflix original Accused to explore new creative ground and establish her identity as a versatile performer.
Directed by Kiran Rao, Laapataa Ladies introduced Pratibha to audiences and quickly turned her into one of the most promising young actors in the industry. However, the success of the film also brought with it high expectations.
“There was so much love coming in. My debut raised so many standards. I was like: will I ever be able to do something that would achieve what Laapataa Ladies did?” Pratibha shares, recalling the period after the film’s release.
Following the success of her debut and her appearance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama Heeramandi, Pratibha spent considerable time reading scripts before finding the right project. That search eventually led her to Accused, directed by Anubhuti Kashyap.
“Oh my God, I think I am able to feel myself in this space,” she says about discovering the script. “During shooting, there was silence on set. Nobody was shouting, and it was so rare to see that.”
In Accused, Pratibha plays one half of a lesbian couple whose relationship faces a serious test after one partner is accused of sexual harassment at the workplace. The sensitive and unconventional storyline prompted some people to question her decision to take on the role.
“So many people said, ‘Are you sure you want to do a film like this? It’s a big risk.’ But I wanted to give it a shot and be in a space where I can differentiate myself as an artiste. I didn’t want to repeat myself. It felt right,” she explains.
The film also marks Pratibha’s first collaboration with acclaimed actor Konkona Sen Sharma, known for her thoughtful film choices and layered performances. Speaking about the experience of working with her, Pratibha says it was both inspiring and reassuring.
“I remember being nervous to meet her. She gave me so much space as an artiste to perform; it helped me. After pack-up, she’d be like, let’s go for a walk. I felt it helped us understand each other better and develop comfort, which showed on screen. A secure actor always makes sure that the co-actor also feels safe,” she says.
Discussing the themes of Accused, Pratibha notes that the film explores the emotional complexities of relationships and trust.
“When you love somebody, you give them the benefit of doubt. It’s not easy to instantly believe they can do something wrong,” she says. “You don’t want to give up on them, you want to be there till the extreme end.”
After completing work on Accused, Pratibha Ranta will next be seen in Nikkhil Advani’s upcoming Amazon Prime series The Revolutionaries, further expanding her range across different genres and storytelling formats.