Actress Maninee De has opened up about taking on one of her most emotionally demanding roles to date — a widowed single mother navigating grief and survival in the upcoming short film 'Raqs'. The actress, known for her work in 'Krrish' and 'Fashion', described the character as a modern, working woman caught in a painful cycle of helplessness and self-blame.

The Role and Its Emotional Weight

"In Raqs I play a widowed single mother to a young boy who is struggling to cope with the loss of her partner. She is trying to navigate her own grief while bringing up her child, taking on the responsibilities of both a mother and a father," Maninee De said.

She added that the character's arc deepens as the story progresses: "She finds herself caught in a vicious cycle of self-hatred and helplessness because of what happens to her child while she is out trying to provide for their future. My look is very contemporary, reflecting that of a modern, working woman."

Why the Subject of 'Raqs' Matters

Maninee spoke at length about the film's larger social message, calling it a battle cry against one of the gravest crimes in society. "The subject of Raqs is important to humanity as a whole. It is our battle cry against one of the most heinous crimes committed against any living being, whether human or animal. It represents the complete degradation of human values and a deep-rooted sickness in society," she said.

She added that the film's intent goes beyond storytelling: "Our endeavour is to create awareness, work towards prevention, encourage more people to join the fight, raise our collective voice, give victims a voice and send a strong warning to perpetrators."

On the Short Film Format

The actress expressed a longstanding appreciation for short-format cinema, noting its unique challenges. "I have always loved short-format films. I believe it takes a special skill to communicate something meaningful and impactful within a limited duration. The writing, the visual treatment and the way a story is shot make this format particularly exciting," she said.

At the same time, Maninee acknowledged the constraints: "The process is far more challenging in terms of time, budget and scale, making the entire filmmaking experience very different."

Working with the Director and Producer

Maninee was effusive about her collaborators on 'Raqs'. She described director Iqbaal Rizzvi as "talented, empathetic and capable," and praised producer Manbeena as "not just a gifted writer but also a strong, grounded individual who sees beyond the human exterior."

Maninee De's Career in Brief

Maninee De has built a diverse filmography spanning mainstream Bollywood and digital platforms. Her film credits include 'Krrish', 'Fashion', 'Student of the Year', 'Chain Kulii Ki Main Kulii', and '7½ Phere: More Than a Wedding'. On the OTT front, she has appeared in web series including 'Made in Heaven', 'Abhay', 'The Jengaburu Curse', 'Romil and Jugal', 'Coldd Lassi Aur Chicken Masala', and 'Campus Beats'. With 'Raqs', she steps into short-format storytelling with a subject she describes as urgently necessary.