“A Hugely Refreshing Experience”: Riddhi Dogra on Her Role in Kull

Riddhi Dogra, known for her layered and powerful performances, is currently being lauded for her portrayal of Kavya in the television drama Kull. For her, genuine fulfillment doesn’t come from just critical praise—it comes from how the audience connects. “People liking to watch me—it’s a big deal… their acceptance means everything,” she says with a smile. “Whatever character I play, people start calling me by that name. That in itself is feedback. And if I look at it that way, I’ve never received a bad review.”

She believes the first validation always comes from the team behind the project. “The first step is that the producer, the writer—whoever imagined the character—believes I can do justice to it. That’s a huge thing. After that comes audience acceptance.”

Talking about Kull, Dogra shares how this project felt new and different from anything she has done before. “For years, I’ve been trying to take on roles that are different. And I think that’s a challenging task. My aim has always been to represent the modern Indian woman—the woman of today.”

With Kavya, she sees a chance to embody someone who is rooted in tradition yet boldly forging her own path. “We have a strong foundation in tradition and culture… and I want to represent every girl, every woman, from whom nothing is expected but who ends up doing something remarkable. I love that, and I think Kavya is one of those women.”

What makes Kavya stand out for Riddhi is that it’s the first time she’s standing up for herself—not someone else. “This is the first character in my career where I’m not fighting for anyone else—I’m standing up for myself. That was so refreshing for me. There were no holds barred. She’s grey—good and bad coexist within her.”

The emotional dynamics between siblings in Kull were particularly eye-opening for her. “I had a lot of fun working with everyone. The idea was to show how siblings fight. Everyone has problems… you love them the most, and yet you end up hurting them the most too. That was very new for me—I’ve never done a role like this. It was a hugely refreshing experience.”

After playing the beloved Kaveri Amma in Jawan, Riddhi was firm about avoiding similar roles. “After becoming Kaveri Amma in Jawan, I didn’t want to become someone else’s mother again,” she says candidly. “I wanted to be a free bird—and Kavya gave me that. Every character I play gives me a sense of liberation in that moment.”