TV and web actor Shruti Bapna is looking forward to her upcoming YRF film Mardaani 2 with Rani Mukherjee.

“Mardaani was a huge hit and very well received critically. So obviously now the bar has been set much higher with the sequel. The promo has already become viral.”

“As the story is based on a real life incidents, it will be very hard hitting. The franchise is very relevant in today’s times of rising crime against women,” adds Shruti who has successfully been exploring films and television since 2008.

“Since the story of Mardaani 2 is set in Rajasthan, I have imbibed my cop character with my traits similar to that area.”

How was it working with Rani? “Lovely, it was breeze working with Rani. I have learnt so much from her.”

Your take on women-oriented scripts?

“They have always been around. I think we need to cut down on this judgement and appreciate how today some of the biggest film runners are actresses.”

“Have we not seen female powerhouses like Priyanka Chopra, Vidya Balan and Rani do their thing in films where they are the hero.”

Before Mardaani, Shruti has done few more films. “ I started with Wake Up Sid, then came Lunch Box followed by Arjun Rampal starrer Daddy.”

“As an artist I am open to doing all kind of films, be it the above off beater starring Irrfan Khan or a commercial flick like Mardaani.”

“As for run length, I had a strong character in Daddy as well and now the role is even bigger in Mardaani. Going ahead I am now looking for meaty edgy lead characters, as now I feel I can justify them.”

For the moment Shruti has no plans to return to TV, “I am happy with web and films. It is not that I have not had my day under the TV sun, remember my outings in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein and Saas Bina Sasural etc.”

Shifting gears to her role in the upcoming web series, Breathe 2, she says, “Well I can’t say much as it has time to come out. But yes I am very happy to be part of a web show which is totally Indian in construct and content, unlike other web originals which ape a lot from abroad. I am sure that it will be bigger than season 1.”

Prior to this she had done ALTBalaji’s Medically Yourrs , “It was a bold role but that was the requirement of the script.”

Way to go, Shruti!!