Ridhi Dogra says she needs another film with Shah Rukh Khan as a redemption for Jawan: ‘They just didn’t want to call Deepika Padukone the mother so I became Kaveri Amma’

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She added, “There is a younger part in the movie, and I am not his mother. I think they just didn’t want to call Deepika the mother, so I became Kaveri Amma, but Deepika was the mother. I was the guardian. For me, it was like, what the hell. I was also in a funky headspace at that time. I thought it’s just one life, and I shouldn’t let go of this opportunity. I was getting to be on a set with Atlee, so I thought I should just do it.”

Ridhi Dogra also shared how it was being around Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. “For me, it was more like being on the set and seeing how Shah Rukh works. I didn’t realize that I would be there acting with him. It was painful. I need to do a project with him in this lifetime to erase this memory. I need that redemption. Deepika is fantastic; she is very empathetic, and I took that from her. Just looking at her, you could tell that she is very present and grateful for what she has through her demeanor. If you work in an environment like that, it is gratifying for everyone.”

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Revealing that her anxiety levels were at the peak throughout Jawan, Ridhi shared, “I was very nervous to play Kaveri Amma, very scared. Throughout the shoot, my anxiety was hitting the roof. I was having a panic attack every day because I just couldn’t understand how it was going to make sense. It was not like a project that would come and go; it was a massive film. I never questioned my decision, but I had a lot of nerves.”

I couldn’t go up to Shah Rukh Khan, says Ridhi Dogra

Ridhi Dogra with Jawan co-star Shah Rukh Khan.

One thing Ridhi Dogra regrets is that she didn’t get to meet Shah Rukh Khan properly. She says, “Having SRK around added to the nervousness. I don’t think I have spoken to him. I am not proud of it. I went to his house. He had a little party after the release, and it is ridiculous how I couldn’t go up to him. Now, when I look back, I had friends over there, people who knew him, I should have just told someone to take me to him. I met his wife, mother-in-law, and his kids, but him…I need a reset.”

On the work front, Ridhi Dogra was last seen in the web series Kull. She also had Abir Gulaal with Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor releasing. However, the film was later banned following tension between India and Pakistan. Talking about Abir Gulaal’s ban, Ridhi said, “Right now it is more important to stand by our Government and by our military forces. Everything we say or do, entertainment is honestly not so important. How can I, as a mere civilian, contribute to the country, and this is a very small price. While there is money at stake, that is for the producer. It’s hard for them.”