The nepotism controversy has been raging in Bollywood for some time now, and it’s still a hot subject on social media. When you ask Avantika Dassani, the daughter of Bollywood star Bhagyashree, what she thinks of it all, she simply says, “We are a country founded on family legacies.”
Avantika discusses why she chose an atypical first platform and character, how belonging to a film family influenced her as an actress, and why being a “star kid” doesn’t always guarantee you’ll get large opportunities or succeed in a frank Zoom interview about her OTT thriller Mithya.
Avantika portrays Rhea Rajguru in Mithya, a dissatisfied student who is accused of plagiarism by her Hindi literature professor Juhy Adhikary (Huma Qureshi), setting off a tragic series of events. Who is telling the truth and who is lying? In this 6-part series, Avantika is frightening as the alleged femme fatale, which you can watch online on ZEE5.
Any beginner would be foolish to choose a character with grey shades, especially one whose mother made her acting debut in Maine Pyar Kiya in 1989, an unapologetically romantic big-budget Bollywood adventure with prominent stars, plenty of drama, and unforgettable songs.
Mithya, on the other hand, is a dark and unnerving tale that, based on the trailer, doesn’t paint any of its main characters in a very positive light.
Rhea Rajguru, Avantika’s character, was described as “exclusive” by Avantika.
“You know something’s about to happen when I appear on television.” You have a feeling something is going to happen! Rhea is the character who introduces the story’s narrative twists. That’s what piqued my interest in her character, and I’m thrilled to be working on Mithya as my first project. Rhea is impetuous, a touch irresponsible, and someone who does things and afterwards regrets it. She’s been through a lot in her life, and it’s what has shaped her into the person she is now.”
Her first job was “exciting and a challenge,” she added, and she aspires to be regarded as an actor who is prepared to take chances. “That’s what drew me to portraying someone with a lot of grey areas.” I liked the concept of doing something that would take me out of my comfort zone and allow me to avoid being boxed in and lumped in with, say, every other newbie.”
She did concede, though, that she is open to making a traditional Bollywood film, such as a romcom or drama. “I’d love to, but Mithya is a gamble I’ve made in the hopes of it paying off.”
