For Grazia India’s April Issue, with the magnetic Kriti Sanon on the cover, we delve into the evolving landscape of indie cinema through the lens of women who are rewriting its rules. This special feature brings together the stories, style, and spirit of Kani Kusruti, Richa Chadha, Shahana Goswami, Preeti Panigrahi, Anasuya Sengupta, and Nitanshi Goel—actors who are challenging conventions, breaking norms, and bringing deeply layered characters to life. Through stunning portraits and candid conversations, we celebrate their craft, choices, and the cinematic shift they’re championing— one film at a time.
Kani Kusruti finds that the true joy of acting is in the discovery of characters; she says, “We discover the characters when we play the part – that is the pleasure of acting.” While embodying Nurse Prabha in All We Imagine As Light, she emphasises that acting requires understanding the character, and not a personal connection. Deeply rooted in her Malayali identity, she embraces her unique style and is unapologetically herself both on- and off-screen.
Richa Chadha reflects on her evolution from being an actor to now also a producer, expressing, “It gives me a great deal of satisfaction to build something from the ground up.” Passionate about telling unique stories, she hopes to play more nuanced female roles, and dreams of backing diverse projects, exploring human relationships to dark and sharp-edged comedies.
Anasuya Sengupta, opening up on her Cannes Best Performance win for The Shameless, shares, “Now, I get to call myself an actor without any question.” She resonates deeply with her character Renuka’s revolutionary spirit, stating, “I read the script in one sitting and knew right away this is a character that I wanted to embody. I felt a sense of protectiveness toward the character and wanted to stand up for her.” With big dreams of starring in an action film, she is just getting started and excited for future projects.
Preeti Panigrahi shares her experience of Girls Will Be Girls, saying, “I realised you could run a set without yelling at people, being mindful, and talking softly.” She embraced the emotional complexity of her character Mira, particularly the layered mother-daughter dynamic. With an eye on storytelling and direction, Preeti is all set to diversify her creative palette.
Shahana Goswami on playing the lead in Santosh, states, “You cannot be judgmental of a character you’re playing; you must play it with love.” She adds, “Santosh is fallible… but you’re still empathetic to her as a human being.” Goswami offers advice to aspiring actors, saying, “Live your life fully and be an observer of life,” and is excited for her upcoming role in Mahasangam.
Nitanshi Goel speaks abouther breakout role in Laapataa Ladies, “The most moving performances come from the simplest truths.” She draws inspiration from director Kiran Rao’s advice to “Stay connected to the why behind your character.” Now, Goel wants to take up roles that are complex, real, and resonate deeply. She’s excited for newer creative challenges and is exploring her love for dance.
In a space once dominated by familiar names and formulas, these women are scripting a new narrative—grounded, fearless, and unapologetically their own. With every film they take on, they are not just acting, but quietly rewriting the rules of Indian cinema.