Gauri Ingawale says every girl has to become Chandika at some point, on her film Dashami

The film "Dashami" is releasing soon, with actress Gauri Ingawale in the lead role. Lakshmi, her character, is quite different from the roles Gauri has played so far. With Navratri under way, Gauri says playing the part helped her understand women's problems better. "Dashami" is the story of Lakshmi, an ordinary girl, and of why she ends up having to become Chandika. On the occasion, Gauri spoke at length in the series "Mere Bheetar Ki Durga".

Asked about the journey of becoming Lakshmi in the film and showing Chandika's fierce form in the songs, Gauri said the role was a big challenge. According to her, Lakshmi is present in every home, but she can also take the form of Chandika. The nine forms of goddess Durga worshipped in Navratri are seen in every woman. She considers herself fortunate to have had the chance to play all of that in this character.

Gauri said that the incidents taking place in society today are deeply distressing. When a daughter is born at home, we say Lakshmi has come, but in society she has to take the form of Durga, because the circumstances keep arising for her. "Unfortunately, one has to become Chandika," she said. She learnt a great deal on this journey from Lakshmi to Chandika.

Asked about the best praise she has received from audiences, Gauri laughed. She said she is delighted that her work is being appreciated. She has so far played very gentle roles, and now, in a completely different part, she is getting love from all sides. After praising her two or three times, some people told her when they met her that since her name is Gauri, they would like to name their daughter Gauri too. Gauri considers this the greatest praise for herself.

She also said that what is going on in society these days fills her with great anger and anguish. If even one girl is inspired by her work after watching the film, becomes stronger, and her work has an effect on society, she would be even happier.

Asked how much she changed by standing up against injustice on screen with a weapon in hand, Gauri said that on screen she stands with a weapon, but as an actress she herself gained a great deal of energy. An actor has to understand herself while performing, and she has understood that through this film. To bring what Lakshmi endures to the screen with the same intensity, she had to feel it. Personally, she felt considerable change within herself. She says it is very important for women to raise their voice against injustice, and she is confident that after watching the film, girls will get the same energy even without a weapon in hand.

Asked about the difference between the tolerant woman of the past and the self-respecting Gen-Z girl of today, Gauri said there is a great deal of difference between the two, and it is a good difference. Earlier, women stayed within the confines of the home. Now girls have become very strong, stand shoulder to shoulder with men in every field and also protect their self-respect, which is more a matter of pride.

On the "first Durga" in her real life, Gauri said that in everyone's life the first Durga and the first goddess is the mother, and her mother is her Durga too. She also feels she is learning from every woman how to fight hardships and stay strong.

Asked how important it is to be mentally and physically capable given the atrocities against girls these days, Gauri said plainly that safety is extremely important. There is always a fear in the mind when night falls, and however much one denies it, it cannot be dismissed yet. For safety, everyone has to become Durga at some point. In her view, moving ahead by making the right decisions and taking up the Durga avatar is very important in today's world.

As an example, Gauri named her sister Shaila Kulkarni, the first woman action director, who works with the Maharashtra Police department to train women in self-defence. Gauri said she has heard and learnt a great deal from her, and that Shaila is mentoring many girls. It would not be wrong to say that through this film Gauri has come to understand the form of Durga for life.