The transition from streaming phenomenon to box-office juggernaut is a rare feat in the current landscape of Indian cinema, yet Mirzapur: The Movie has achieved exactly that. With a staggering ₹50 crore haul in just its opening 48 hours, the film has proven that the audience’s hunger for the gritty, power-hungry lanes of Mirzapur remains as insatiable as ever. While the high-octane violence and complex political maneuvering have always been the show’s calling card, the conversation around the film this week has shifted toward something equally critical: the evolution of on-set professionalism, specifically regarding intimate sequences.
Rasika Dugal, who has long been the heartbeat of the series in her portrayal of Beena Tripathi, recently opened up about the complexities of filming such intense, sensitive scenes. In an era where the industry is undergoing a much-needed overhaul of its work culture, Dugal’s candid reflections provide a blueprint for how modern productions can—and should—operate.
The Evolution of the Set: Choreography for Intimacy
For decades, the Indian film industry operated on a “figure it out on the day” mentality regarding intimacy. Directors would often leave actors to navigate vulnerable moments with minimal guidance, creating an environment that was, at best, awkward and, at worst, prone to boundary-crossing. Rasika Dugal is now leading the charge in normalizing the presence of intimacy coordinators, comparing them to the unsung heroes of any film set.
“It’s like you have a choreographer for a dance sequence or a fight master for an action sequence,” Dugal explained in a recent interview. “Similarly, you have an intimacy coordinator for an intimacy sequence.”
This analogy is both simple and revolutionary. By placing intimacy on the same technical plane as a choreographed stunt, it strips away the lingering stigma and makes the process objective rather than subjective. It acknowledges that physical vulnerability on camera is a skill set that requires specialized oversight, ensuring that the human element of acting doesn’t get trampled by the demands of the lens.
Agency as a Core Production Requirement
Perhaps the most significant takeaway from Dugal’s commentary is the emphasis on the “pre-production” aspect of these scenes. Too often, discussions about physical intimacy are relegated to the moments right before the camera rolls, creating a pressure cooker environment where saying “no” feels impossible.
Dugal highlights that the modern process involves workshops and in-depth discussions long before the crew sets up their lights. This gives actors the agency to establish their boundaries early. If a specific move or angle feels wrong, or if a particular narrative beat triggers a personal discomfort, the team has the time to pivot. They can devise an alternative that serves the director’s vision without making the actor feel compromised. This collaborative approach doesn’t just protect the actor; it arguably improves the final performance. When an actor feels safe, they are inevitably more present and willing to take the risks that make for compelling drama.
The “Closed Set” Standard
One of the most practical changes brought about by the introduction of intimacy coordinators is the rigorous control of the set environment. In the past, the presence of unnecessary crew members during intimate takes was a common, if rarely discussed, source of anxiety.
Dugal highlights the logistical clarity that coordinators bring to the table: “You know exactly what is going to happen on set. You can ask for a closed set… there’s one person taking care of this. One person is calling for a closed set, which means they’ve decided who all are required here for a shot and who’s not.”
This professionalization is a massive step forward. It removes the guesswork and the potential for “on-the-spot” decisions that can catch actors off guard. By limiting the room to only those who are absolutely essential to capturing the frame, the production team creates a “bubble” of professional safety. It changes the dynamic from a public display to a private, technical task, which is exactly what a professional film set should be.
Looking Back: Lessons from Mirzapur Season One
It is worth noting that Mirzapur didn’t always have these modern safeguards. When the first season began filming, the concept of a dedicated intimacy coordinator was virtually non-existent in the Indian market, despite being a staple in Western productions.
Dugal reflects on those early days with a mix of nostalgia and gratitude. She admits that the team was fortunate to have directors who possessed an intuitive, sensitive understanding of these needs, even without the formal title of an “intimacy coordinator” present. “The director had discussed it with me in a space earlier where I had a space to sort of say no,” she recalls.
However, Dugal is quick to clarify that personal sensitivity from a director is no substitute for a formal system. While she felt protected by her team in the early days of the franchise, she advocates for the industry-wide adoption of these roles because reliance on a “kind director” is not a scalable or sustainable business model. By formalizing these roles, the industry is moving away from the luck of the draw and into a standard of excellence that should be expected by every performer.
The Future of Indian Cinema
The success of Mirzapur: The Movie is a testament to the fact that audiences value the authenticity these actors bring to their roles. But as Dugal has so eloquently pointed out, that authenticity requires a safe foundation. The shift toward intimacy coordination isn’t about coddling actors; it’s about acknowledging the complexity of the craft.
As we see more films pushing the boundaries of storytelling, the role of the intimacy coordinator will likely become as essential to a film’s budget and schedule as the cinematographer or the editor. Rasika Dugal isn’t just performing a role in a hit film; she is part of a necessary movement that ensures the future of Indian cinema is built on respect, clear communication, and professional rigor. As Mirzapur continues to dominate the box office, it sets a gold standard not just for action or drama, but for how a set should be run in the 21st century.
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