Rasika Dugal reflects on ‘Saanson Ki Mala’s’ connection with Beena Tripathi in Mirzapur: The Movie; says, “It’s lovely when something you’ve been a part of creating takes on a life of its own”
Some songs continue to remain part of popular culture long after their original release. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s ‘Saanson Ki Mala’ is one such song. Years after becoming widely recognised, the qawwali has found a new context in Mirzapur: The Movie, where it plays during a key sequence involving Beena Tripathi, played by Rasika Dugal. The song features during an important moment in Beena’s story, creating a contrast between its themes of love and devotion and the events unfolding on screen. The sequence has also received attention on social media, with audiences sharing clips, memes, edits and reactions. As a result, ‘Saanson Ki Mala’ has become closely associated with Beena’s character for many viewers. For Dugal, who has portrayed Beena throughout the Mirzapur universe, the response to the song and the scene has been meaningful. She said, “It’s really special that the song has been around for generations, and people have had such a deep relationship with it. And now, to see it find a...