Rasika Dugal Says ‘Mirzapur’ Had No Intimacy Coordinator: ‘I Had a Space to Say No’

Rasika Dugal has opened up about the importance of intimacy coordinators on film and television sets, while recalling how intimate scenes were handled during the first season of Mirzapur.

The actress, who plays Beena Tripathi in the popular crime franchise, discussed the subject in a recent interview with ANI. She explained why intimacy coordinators can make intimate scenes more structured, transparent and comfortable for everyone involved.

Dugal also revealed that Mirzapur Season 1 was made at a time when the role of an intimacy coordinator was not yet established in the Indian production environment in the way it is today.

Despite that, she said the team working on the show took steps to ensure she knew what was going to be filmed and had an opportunity to communicate her boundaries.

Rasika Dugal Compares Intimacy Coordinators With Fight Masters

Explaining the function of an intimacy coordinator, Dugal compared the role with that of a professional responsible for choreographing action sequences.

“Like you have a fight master for an action sequence; you know, similarly, you have an intimacy coordinator for an intimacy sequence,” she explained.

According to the actress, the process involves discussing intimate scenes before filming so performers and filmmakers understand what is required and what the actors are comfortable doing.

The objective, she said, is to find a way of achieving the director’s creative requirements without crossing an actor’s boundaries.

If a performer is uncomfortable with a particular action, an intimacy coordinator can help find an alternative approach while preserving the purpose of the scene.

For Dugal, that makes the process more professional and predictable for everyone involved.

Why Intimacy Coordinators Matter on Film Sets

Dugal said the presence of a designated professional can remove uncertainty around who is responsible for managing intimate scenes.

She explained that actors can discuss what they are comfortable with, understand exactly what will happen during a shot and request a closed set when necessary.

A closed set limits the number of people present during the filming of an intimate sequence to those whose presence is required for the production.

Dugal said this creates a clearer professional structure around scenes that can otherwise be particularly vulnerable for performers.

The actress also stressed that knowing who is responsible for coordinating the process can make actors feel more secure.

Mirzapur Season 1 Was Made Without an Intimacy Coordinator

Dugal recalled that when the first season of Mirzapur was filmed, intimacy coordinators were not yet a common concept on Indian sets.

“When we were doing Mirzapur season one, we didn’t have intimacy coordinators as a concept at that time,” she said.

She noted that such systems had already been used in parts of the Western entertainment industry, but had not become established in India to the same extent.

However, Dugal said she was fortunate to work with a production team that was sensitive to the needs of performers.

According to her recollection, specific members of the unit effectively took responsibility for ensuring intimate scenes were handled carefully.

Rasika Says She Knew What Shots She Was Doing

While there was no formal intimacy coordinator, Dugal said she was given clarity about the scenes she would perform.

“I knew exactly what shots I was doing, exactly how they would be filmed,” she said.

She also recalled having discussions with the director before filming, giving her an opportunity to communicate whether she was comfortable with what had been planned.

Most importantly, she said she was in a position where she could say no if something did not feel right to her.

That distinction is significant in her account: although the formal role did not exist on the production, she felt that other safeguards were in place.

Rasika Dugal Says the Industry Has Become More Structured

Dugal’s comments come at a time when intimacy coordination has become increasingly recognised as part of professional production practices.

The role can involve helping performers and filmmakers establish boundaries before a scene is shot, coordinating choreography and ensuring previously agreed limits are respected during filming.

It can also help productions establish protocols around closed sets and communication.

For actors, the process can provide greater clarity about what is expected before cameras begin rolling.

Dugal said she considers that development a positive one.

“I cannot emphasise the importance of intimacy coordinators more than I already have. It’s very important,” she said.

Rasika Dugal’s Journey as Beena Tripathi

Dugal has played Beena Tripathi since the beginning of Mirzapur, becoming one of the franchise’s most recognisable characters.

Beena is married into the powerful Tripathi family and occupies a complicated position within its violent power structure.

Across the series, the character’s personal relationships and ambitions have become an important part of the larger narrative.

Her intimate relationships are also woven into the storyline, making the way such scenes are approached an important part of the actress’s experience with the franchise.

Mirzapur: The Movie Brings Beena Tripathi Back

Dugal has reprised Beena Tripathi for ** Mirzapur: The Movie **, which released in theatres globally on September 4.

The film expands the world established by the streaming series and brings several familiar characters back to the big screen.

Dugal’s Beena remains connected to the franchise’s central web of relationships and power struggles.

Her latest comments offer a behind-the-scenes perspective on an aspect of the production process that audiences rarely see.

The Conversation Around Consent Is Changing

Dugal’s recollection also highlights how production practices can evolve.

An intimate scene may appear brief on screen, but filming one can involve detailed conversations about choreography, boundaries, camera positioning, personnel on set and the expectations of everyone involved.

The introduction of dedicated intimacy professionals is intended to give that process a clearer framework.

For Dugal, her experience on Mirzapur demonstrated that sensitivity from directors and crew members could make a significant difference. At the same time, she believes formal intimacy coordination provides an additional layer of professionalism and accountability.