Khushi Bharadwaj, who plays Ira in Criminal Justice: A Family Matter streaming on JioHostar, opened up about her preparation and emotional experience filming with Pankaj Tripathi in Pankaj Tripathi Criminal Justice Season 4. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, she shared insights into her challenging role and the learning she gained from the ensemble cast including Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, and Asha Negi.
Landing the Role of Ira in Season Four
Bharadwaj described her journey to being cast as Ira as intense and deeply personal. Despite going through more than a dozen auditions, she never lost her determination. From the moment she read the script, the character resonated strongly with her, compelling her to give her best at every stage. When news of her selection arrived, emotions ran high, as she realized the significance of her commitment to the character and the show.
Diving Deep into Portraying Asperger’s Syndrome
The responsibility of authentically representing a teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome was not lost on her. Khushi spent extensive hours under the guidance of her acting coach Sandip Ghosh, with daily sessions spanning several hours. They focused on capturing precise body language and emotional processing that would reflect Ira’s unique perspective.
The team supporting Criminal Justice: A Family Matter also arranged for consultations with psychiatrists and behavioral specialists. Bharadwaj supplemented her learning by analyzing real-life videos and personal narratives of those with similar conditions. She recalled drawing on her experience with classmates who had parallel challenges, observing their communication and responses to inform her performance. This multi-faceted approach enabled her to portray Ira’s world thoughtfully and with empathy.
Guidance from Director Rohan Sippy
Director Rohan Sippy’s approach was marked by sensitivity and clarity. As a young actor, Khushi felt acknowledged and encouraged by his genuine trust in her ability to bring Ira to life. Sippy’s style of direction prioritized nuance and authenticity, steering the portrayal towards subtlety over dramatic excess. His calm demeanor on set fostered a supportive environment, giving Bharadwaj space to explore and deliver a realistic performance.
Mastering the Details: Eye Contact and Emotional Subtlety
Depicting Ira’s avoidance of eye contact was a particularly demanding aspect of the role. Through continuous practice during rehearsals and in specialized psychiatric sessions, she learned to convey emotion while deliberately refraining from direct eye engagement with fellow actors. This subtle element required both concentration and a deep understanding of Ira’s lived experience, and it played a critical role in communicating the character’s internal world to the audience.
Sharing an Intense Scene with Pankaj Tripathi
Among the show’s pivotal moments, the interaction between Ira and Pankaj Tripathi’s character stands out for its emotional intensity. Khushi recalled the scene as challenging yet profoundly revealing, with Ira shown in a vulnerable state and Tripathi’s character introducing a sense of calmness. She noted that working with Pankaj Tripathi provided stability and focus, allowing the scene to unfold organically.
The cast refrained from excessive rehearsing before this sequence, fostering genuine reactions and authentic tension. Their prior sessions with psychiatrists ensured that both the emotional tone and behavioral nuance of the scene remained true to life.
Learning from an Experienced Cast
Collaborating with established talents like Pankaj Tripathi, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, and Asha Negi offered Khushi invaluable lessons in natural acting and scene presence. She observed their approach to dialogue, timing, and sincerity, which enriched her understanding of performance and elevated her portrayal of Ira.
Bharadwaj especially highlighted a jail scene with Ayyub, where his heartfelt performance made her own reactions as Ira feel spontaneous and genuine, blurring the distinction between acting and living the character.
Working with Varun Dhawan on a Separate Project
Reflecting on her experience filming Baby John with Varun Dhawan, Khushi described a contrasting atmosphere compared to her time on Criminal Justice. Dhawan brought high energy and professionalism to the set, ensuring a lively yet focused environment. Bharadwaj appreciated his approachable nature and commitment, which allowed her to observe and learn from his ability to transition between light-hearted moments and intense action sequences.
Looking Ahead to Future Opportunities
With filming wrapped on Criminal Justice: A Family Matter, Khushi Bharadwaj is in the process of finalizing her next acting project. After having experienced the depth and responsibility of playing Ira, she is drawn to future roles that offer both substance and emotional range. She expressed anticipation for new opportunities and hinted at ongoing discussions about upcoming projects soon to be announced.
There’s nobody clearer than Anju as to what she’s doing and what her aim is
—Surveen Chawla, Actress
The Ongoing Appreciation for Criminal Justice: A Family Matter
The latest season of Criminal Justice has garnered praise for its portrayal of complex characters and sensitive themes. The ensemble cast, under Rohan Sippy’s direction, has contributed to the series’ continued success. Bharadwaj’s contribution as a young actor, alongside stalwarts like Pankaj Tripathi and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, has further elevated audience engagement and critical acclaim for this season.
Pankaj Tripathi Criminal Justice Season 4 continues to stand out for its attention to detail, authentic performances, and meaningful representation of nuanced mental health experiences. With Khushi Bharadwaj’s thoughtfully prepared role and the commitment from the full cast and creative team, the series is poised to leave a lasting impact on its viewers and the wider entertainment industry.
