Tillotama Shome and Dia Mirza, two actors who have navigated vastly different paths over the past 25 years, have finally found a moment of convergence in Netflix's upcoming film IKKA. At the trailer launch in Mumbai, Shome, known for her nuanced performances in independent cinema, spoke emotionally about the long journey to this stage.
Shome's Emotional Milestone
“Pacchis saal lag gaye mujhe is manch pe aane mein (It took me 25 years to reach this stage),” Shome said, her voice trembling with emotion. “It is quite crazy.” She plays Madhura Banerjee, a relentless public prosecutor, a role she described as a departure from her usual casting. “I had never played a lawyer. Here I am not a middle-class decoration, that I am usually cast for. It was a powerful woman.”
Mirza's Quiet Transformation
Dia Mirza, who entered the industry at a time when mainstream cinema often reduced women to their appearance, plays Avantika, the wife of Sunny Deol's character Arjun Mehra. She highlighted the special moments in the film, including the silences with her on-screen daughter and husband. “I really missed out on doing a scene with Tilly (Shome),” she admitted.
Behind the Scenes with Sunny Deol
Shome initially planned to keep her distance from Deol, but found herself enchanted by his kind eyes, which she described as “cow-like.” She avoided watching other films as reference, saying, “Because then you start wanting to imitate.” At this stage, she values authenticity over imitation, adding, “At my age, I want to like the people I work with... or I can stay at home. I have a beautiful home, and I have a beautiful family.”
A Celebration of Camaraderie
Throughout the evening, Deol quietly complimented his co-stars, while Mirza celebrated Shome's craft and even her bright stockings. The two women spoke less about survival and more about choice, emphasizing the importance of bringing others along on the journey. Mirza spent the evening directing attention toward Shome, who in turn highlighted everyone who made her feel she belonged.
IKKA, directed by Siddharth P Malhotra, also stars Akshaye Khanna as Shauryamann Gaur, a defendant in a high-profile attempted murder case. The film premieres on Netflix on July 10.
