
Shriya Pilgaonkar unveils fiery first look as Rukmini in Netflix's ‘Mandala Murders'
'Too much fun and such a creatively fulfilling experience,' she wrote, hinting at the depth and mystique her character brings to the narrative.
Though a cameo, Rukmini plays a pivotal role in Mandala Murders, which fuses mythology with a modern crime drama backdrop. Her character is deeply rooted in the fictional lore of the Aayast Yantra, a mythical device central to the show's plot. Set in the eerie, fictional town of Charandaspur, the series delves into secret societies and ancient rituals from the 1950s, where Rukmini's brief but significant presence adds a compelling layer of mysticism and intensity.
Pilgaonkar's transformation for the role is a bold departure from her softer roles, such as Sweety in Mirzapur. With a background in classical theatre and accolades like the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Debut Actress (2013), she embraces the fiery, enigmatic essence of Rukmini, showcasing her dynamic range as a performer.
Mandala Murders, streaming since July 25, stars Vaani Kapoor and Vaibhav Raj Gupta in lead roles, with an ensemble cast featuring Surveen Chawla, Manu Rishi, Raghubir Yadav, and others. Produced by YRF Entertainment, the series has quickly become a standout thriller, with Pilgaonkar's Rukmini leaving a lasting impact.
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Mahua Moitra admits she's smitten with Pankaj Tripathi: 'I wrote him a note and asked for coffee'
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India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
Mahua Moitra fangirls over Pankaj Tripathi, says wanted to meet him over coffee
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News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Mahua Moitra CONFESSES Crush On Pankaj Tripathi: 'I Wrote Him A Note, Asked For Coffee'
Mahua Moitra reveals she has a crush on Pankaj Tripathi. She wrote him a note asking for coffee but never got a reply. 'He's the coolest actor,' she says. In a moment of unfiltered candour that lit up the internet, fiery politician Mahua Moitra momentarily set aside her parliamentary swordplay to reveal a softer, fangirl side — her unabashed admiration for actor Pankaj Tripathi. The Trinamool Congress MP, known for her razor-sharp rhetoric and fierce presence in the Lok Sabha, opened up about her unexpected Bollywood crush in a conversation with India Today. 'I watched the Munnabhai series, and I will watch it again. I watched Vicky Donor, and I loved it. I love Pankaj Tripathi. I watched the entire Mirzapur series. I even wrote him a note, which he never replied to, but yes, I wrote him a note," she confessed, grinning. Moitra didn't hold back her admiration for Tripathi's range as an actor, especially his dark, menacing roles. 'He is my crush. I think he is the coolest actor. I love the mean bad roles he does. I loved him in Mirzapur, even in Gangs of Wasseypur," she added. But it didn't end there. She also shared the details of her (unanswered) love letter: 'I said I am a big fan and I would love to meet you for a coffee. But apparently, he stays in Alibagh, and he doesn't meet anyone for coffee." The opportunity arose when she found out through a TV anchor that Pankaj was to be interviewed next. 'This happened when I was being interviewed by an anchor. She said, 'I'm going to interview him next — Pankaj Tripathi.' So I asked her to give him a note," Mahua recalled. And in a moment straight out of a rom-com, Mahua turned to fellow Parliamentarian and Bhojpuri superstar Ravi Kishan for help. 'I asked Ravi for an interaction," she revealed. 'He actually made me speak to him on the phone. But I was so shy, I forgot I even sent him a note!" The actor in question, Pankaj Tripathi, has been a consistent darling of critics and audiences alike — from his breakout in Gangs of Wasseypur to the calm yet calculating Kaleen Bhaiya in Mirzapur, to nuanced performances in Newton, Mimi, and Stree. He recently starred in Anurag Basu's Metro… In Dino alongside Konkona Sen Sharma, and was lauded for his return as Advocate Madhav Mishra in Criminal Justice Season 3. Tripathi will soon reprise his iconic Kaleen Bhaiya avatar in Mirzapur: The Film, set to release in 2026. He also stars in Stree 3 and will be reuniting with OMG 2 director Amit Rai for a yet-to-be-titled socially driven drama set in Bihar. While the actor may not have replied to Mahua's heartfelt note (yet), one thing is clear — even in India's political arena, Pankaj Tripathi's quiet charisma is winning votes of a different kind. First Published: August 04, 2025, 17:32 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.