Renuka Shahane has spoken about the changing representation of women in Indian cinema and streaming, saying female characters are increasingly being written with greater depth, individuality and agency.
The actor, who returns as Pushpalata in the second season of Dupahiya, said the evolving character reflects a broader shift in the way women are portrayed on screen. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Shahane also discussed her own experience of reinvention through the series and how the new season gives her character additional shades.
Renuka Shahane on the Evolution of Women’s Characters
Shahane observed that women in cinema and streaming are no longer limited to familiar roles such as the bhabhi or mother.
Her comments come at a time when streaming platforms have created opportunities for characters with more complex personalities, motivations and story arcs.
Discussing the second season of Dupahiya, Shahane said the returning characters retain the qualities that audiences enjoyed while also developing new dimensions.
“Yeah, there’s growth in the character. All the characters retain their charm, but they also have other qualities and different shades this season,” Shahane said.
For her character Pushpalata, the development provides an opportunity to move beyond a more straightforward daughter-in-law image that audiences may have associated with her earlier screen appearances.
‘Every Actor Needs Reinvention’: Renuka Shahane
Shahane also described Dupahiya as an important opportunity for her own professional reinvention.
According to the actor, performers need opportunities that allow them to explore different sides of their craft, and the series has provided her with exactly that.
“Every actor needs reinvention, and reinvention can only happen when you are given those kinds of opportunities. I think Dupahiya has been a huge opportunity for me,” she said.
The series is particularly significant for Shahane because it marks her first web series, while the second season allows her to continue with the same character and explore additional aspects of Pushpalata’s personality.
“It is my first web series, and now to have a second season, continue with the same character and add more shades to her has been very exciting,” she added.
Shahane Says She Has Grown Alongside Her Co-Stars
The actor also reflected on how working on Dupahiya has influenced her as a performer.
Shahane said she has learned from her co-actors throughout the process and described the experience as enjoyable both on and off screen.
“As an actor, I have grown through this journey and learnt so much from all my co-actors,” she said.
She added that working with different performers also allows actors to absorb the energy and atmosphere of a set.
“It has been great fun, not just off screen but even on screen, because you absorb the energy and vibes of the people you are working with,” Shahane said.
Dupahiya Gives Renuka Shahane a New Screen Chapter
With Dupahiya returning for its second season, Shahane’s comments highlight how established actors can use streaming projects to explore roles beyond the character types audiences may traditionally associate with them.
For Shahane, Pushpalata has become more than a continuation of a familiar role. The character’s additional shades in the new season have also given the actor an opportunity to approach her performance differently.
Her observations about changing female characters, meanwhile, point to a wider evolution in Indian screen storytelling, where women are increasingly being presented with more individual identities and narrative agency.
