Rasika Dugal on Intimacy Coordinators: Ensuring Safety and Comfort in Bold Scenes

The presence of intimacy coordinators on film sets has become increasingly common in Bollywood, and actress Rasika Dugal, known for her role in Mirzapur, is a vocal proponent of the practice. She believes these professionals are essential for creating a safe and comfortable environment when filming bold or intimate scenes.

Drawing a parallel to choreographers for dance sequences or fight masters for action scenes, Dugal explained that intimacy coordinators serve a similar purpose for intimate moments. Their role, she said, is to ensure that no one is violated in any way and that every actor's concerns are properly addressed. Before filming, workshops are conducted to understand what each actor is comfortable with, allowing the team to achieve the director's vision without crossing personal boundaries.

Dugal emphasized that if an actor is uncomfortable with a particular action, the team works to find alternative ways to achieve the same effect while respecting everyone's comfort. This coordination extends to practical aspects like requesting a closed set, where only essential crew members are present. She noted that in the past, it was unclear who was responsible for such arrangements, but now intimacy coordinators handle these matters professionally.

Reflecting on the first season of Mirzapur, Dugal recalled that intimacy coordinators were not yet a common concept in India at that time. However, she credited the show's sensitive directors for informally taking on that responsibility, ensuring she knew exactly how scenes would be shot and giving her the space to voice any objections. Despite this positive experience, she stressed the importance of having dedicated intimacy coordinators, calling it a crucial development for the industry.

As Mirzapur transitions from a web series to a feature film, Dugal is part of the ensemble cast of Mirzapur: The Movie, which is highly anticipated by fans.