Mahvash on how her RJ past shaped her role in 'Satrangi - Badle ka Khel'
Synopsis
Mahvash's radio past wasn't just a career footnote — it actively shaped her performance in 'Satrangi - Badle ka Khel', from improvised shayri-laced dialogues to an emotionally raw funeral scene coloured by personal grief. Her candid account offers a rare window into how cross-medium experience can redefine an actor's toolkit.
Key Takeaways
Mahvash stars in 'Satrangi - Badle ka Khel' , streaming on ZEE5 in Hindi.
Her radio jockey background enabled her to improvise dialogues, including original shayris , which the director approved for the final cut.
A funeral scene in the show was particularly affecting — Mahvash revealed she had recently experienced a personal family loss.
The show follows Bablu Mahto , son of a Launda dancer , and explores a largely uncharted subject in Indian cinema.
The cast includes Anshumaan Pushkar , Kumud Mishra , Upen Chauhan , and others.
Actress Mahvash, currently winning praise for her performance in the streaming series 'Satrangi - Badle ka Khel', has opened up about how her years as a radio jockey directly influenced her approach to the show — from improvising dialogues to navigating emotionally charged scenes.
Radio Roots and On-Screen Improvisation
Mahvash comes from a radio background where storytelling is instinctive, and she says that training translated seamlessly onto the set. 'Yes, so many instances — in fact you will listen to a lot of dialogues that I improvised because I actively keep writing shayris and stuff and the director loved it absolutely,' she said. Her ease with language and spontaneous expression, honed through years of live radio, gave her a creative edge that the show's director reportedly embraced.
The Craft of Switching Personas
Asked about the challenge of stepping away from her own personality to inhabit her character, Mahvash was reflective. 'Well that is the skill of an actor — to switch from your persona to a world which is resonating with the writer's imagination,' she said. The observation underscores a discipline she appears to have developed across two distinct performance mediums.
A Funeral Scene That Hit Close to Home
Among the most demanding sequences she filmed was a funeral scene featured in the show's trailer. Mahvash revealed that a personal loss made the scene particularly difficult to shake off. 'There was a funeral scene that you can see in the trailer and I have lost someone in my family recently, so that feeling stayed with me for a while,' she said. The admission points to the emotional weight the cast brought to the project.
What the Show Is About
'Satrangi - Badle ka Khel' centres on Bablu Mahto, the son of a Launda dancer, who is compelled by circumstance to follow in his father's footsteps. The series also features Anshumaan Pushkar, Kumud Mishra, Upen Chauhan, Saddam Sophia Hussain, Atul Kusum Sanjay, B. Shantunu, and Amir Khan. Mahvash noted that the show does more than raise awareness — it entertains. 'Topics like launda nach have not been explored much in cinema. Also Satrangi does not only preach but entertain people as well,' she added. The series streams on ZEE5 in Hindi.
Point of View
And the fact that a mainstream streaming platform is building a drama around it signals a slow but real broadening of what OTT India considers viable content. Whether the show's execution matches its ambition is the question audiences will answer.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Satrangi - Badle ka Khel' about?
'Satrangi - Badle ka Khel' follows Bablu Mahto, the son of a Launda dancer, who is forced by circumstances to take on his father's role. The show explores cross-dressing performers in Indian folk tradition and streams on ZEE5 in Hindi.
How did Mahvash's radio background help her in the show?
Mahvash says her years as a radio jockey made storytelling instinctive, allowing her to improvise dialogues and weave in original shayris that the director approved for the final cut. She credits radio for sharpening her ease with language and spontaneous expression.
Who else stars in 'Satrangi - Badle ka Khel'?
The show's cast includes Anshumaan Pushkar, Kumud Mishra, Upen Chauhan, Saddam Sophia Hussain, Atul Kusum Sanjay, B. Shantunu, and Amir Khan, alongside Mahvash.
Where can viewers watch 'Satrangi - Badle ka Khel'?
The series is available to stream on ZEE5 in Hindi.
What made the funeral scene particularly difficult for Mahvash?
Mahvash revealed that she had recently lost a family member, which made the funeral scene — visible in the show's trailer — emotionally resonant and difficult to move past after filming.
