Director Abhinay Dev has revealed the casting of Karisma Kapoor. brown This was a deliberate creative choice. The aim was to present the actor in a role that was completely different from anything audiences had previously associated with him. Although he insists that he was not trying to eliminate Kapoor’s glamorous image, he deliberately chose her for a character that was the complete opposite of her established screen persona.

speaking specifically to India Today, Dev explained that Kapoor’s long-standing image as a glamorous leading lady made her the perfect choice for Rita Brown, a deeply layered character struggling with trauma and personal complications. He said, “I wouldn’t say I cast her to break her image. But the fact is that she has always been seen as a glamorous actress, who has done roles that we all remember, he deliberately cast her in a role that is completely opposite – 180 degrees different from the role the audience associates her with.”

Why was Karisma Kapoor right for Rita Brown?

The filmmaker clarified that the decision was primarily driven by the demands of the character rather than an attempt to reinvent Kapoor’s image.

Watch the trailer here:

“The reason was simple: I really felt that this show and this character, Rita Brown, needed someone exactly like her. It was a very unusual thing for an actor who had never played a role like this before to play a role like this and she did exactly that. We were absolutely lucky to have her,” he added.

According to Dev, Kapoor accepted the challenge of portraying a flawed and emotionally complex protagonist, which added depth to the series.

Why are audiences accepting flawed characters?

During the conversation, Dev also reflected on the growing popularity of morally complex characters and stories moving away from traditional notions of heroes and villains. Calling it “one of the best things to happen”, she said this change extends far beyond women-led narratives.

“It’s not just about female characters. Cinema evolves with time and every now and then a big wave comes and changes the way audiences tell stories. I think OTT has done that,” she said.

Dev believes that audiences today consume content with more maturity and are more open to characters who are grey.

He said, “To be honest, we all have flaws. Name one person who is completely black or completely white. Everyone is grey, and it’s totally okay to show that. In fact, it’s necessary because movies and shows are a reflection of society.”

‘Reality should be reflected in stories’

The director stressed that the story should reflect the complexities of real life and allow the audience to connect with a wide spectrum of characters.

“We must reflect what’s really happening and allow the audience to identify with the protagonist, the antagonist, and everyone in between. Today, it’s exciting to see a protagonist who is gray and an antagonist who is lighter grey. Why not? It opens up a lot of possibilities for filmmakers to explore complex characters and gives actors the opportunity to experience roles they may never have played before,” he said.

Do concludes by emphasizing that this evolution of storytelling applies to all characters regardless of gender.

“This change is not just limited to female characters. It applies to all characters. Audiences today are more accepting of layered, flawed and realistic people on screen, regardless of gender,” she said.

brown Streaming on Zee5.