Raj and DK are feminist directors: 'Farzi' star Raashii Khanna

Raj and DK

In the past few years, Raashii Khanna has witnessed several changes in the industry, some significant, others not so much. To her, the most noteworthy change is in the depiction of women on screen. "Now, there are writers who write [powerful] female characters. I have been in the industry for [over] seven years. It's only now that [female actors] are being given the respect they deserve," she reflects.

Raashii Khanna, Shefali Shah and Alia Bhatt

Farzi is one such example, says Khanna, who will be seen as an investigating officer in the crime thriller that revolves around a con artist. The Amazon Prime Video series might have big names like Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi attached to it, but creators Raj-DK ensured that she shone just as brightly on screen. "Raj-DK are feminist directors. The way they have written my character, and shown empathy to a woman in a professional space [is remarkable]. They've shown the problems that today's women face, through my character."

Raj-DK are anomalies in an industry that is infamously kinder to men. Some of the recent blockbusters have been testosterone-driven - from KGF: Chapter 2, to Pushpa: The Rise. Isn't that cause for concern? "Shefali Shah ma'am and Alia [Bhatt] are creating a parallel space for women, with their films. If a certain kind of film is working, that's great. But a film like Gangubai Kathiawadi or Darlings balances it out."