Is Mallika Prasad's Amma a Reflection of Society's Injustices?
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Mumbai, Feb 1 (NationPress) Actress Mallika Prasad, portraying the antagonist Amma in the upcoming film Mardaani 3, asserts that society often cultivates its own villains. In her character study, she emphasizes that Amma is not inherently evil but rather a byproduct of systemic injustice, corruption, and exploitation.
“The harsh reality is that we inhabit a society where daily injustices can forge a villain like Amma. She is shaped by her environment, having had justice stripped from her, thus navigating a system steeped in corruption and exploitation,” Mallika shared with IANS.
Reflecting on memorable villains in Indian cinema, she noted that iconic characters leave an indelible mark on audiences.
“I believe that larger-than-life villains are always unforgettable. Names that spring to mind are Mogambo and Gabbar Singh.
However, Mallika expressed that embodying a female antagonist carries unique responsibilities. It is essential to delve deeper than mere theatrics and to uncover the emotional dimensions of the character.
“For me, especially since it’s a female villain, it’s vital to humanize her and discover subtleties that reveal her humanity. This is a challenging aspect when portraying a larger-than-life villain—how to showcase her humanity?” she explained.
In discussing her latest film Mardaani 3, directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra, she highlighted the franchise's commitment to addressing grave societal issues. Mardaani brought to light the harrowing truths of human trafficking, while Mardaani 2 explored the disturbing mindset of a serial rapist who defied the system. Mardaani 3 ventures into another grim aspect of society, further enhancing the franchise’s legacy of meaningful, issue-driven storytelling.
Actress Janaki Bodiwala, known for her role in Shaitaan, joins the Mardaani franchise in a significant role. The screenplay for Mardaani 3 has been penned by Aayush Gupta, celebrated for The Railway Men.
The inaugural film of the Mardaani series debuted in 2014, featuring Rani Mukerji, Jisshu Sengupta, Tahir Raj Bhasin, and Anant Vidhaat Sharma in supporting roles. The second film was released in 2019, directed by Gopi Puthran, and included Vishal Jethwa.