Pragya Jaiswal: "I have become the damsel in distress to superstars, now I want to be a warrior queen"

After a solid run in Telugu cinema and working with some of the biggest names across industries, Pragya Jaiswal is in a phase where she can finally choose her projects. But with that freedom also comes a deeper hunger — for roles that break type, for long-format storytelling, and for characters who are not just beautiful but bold, brave and burning with purpose. In this chat, she speaks with complete honesty about what still eludes her and why timing can sometimes make or break a film.

Q. Early in your career, you worked with what came your way. But now you have the power to choose. With big films and sequels happening, do you feel a sense of calling for something else that still hasn’t come to you?

You know, as an actor, you are always greedy for more. You are always wanting a lot more than what you have. I still obviously actually want to crack a really good show. I am reading scripts for a good show.

Movies, touchwood, are like I have done all types of films in terms of a fully commercial film or not so commercial but really good content. I have done a few things that I really really wanted to.

I have worked with some of the biggest actors of the country. Touchwood touchwood. My first Hindi film was with Akshay. I worked with Salman sir. In the South, I worked with Balakrishna sir and Varun Tej, some of the coolest people that I have worked with.

So I am not going to say I am content. There is still so much. There is more to do. And every time I feel like you are only just beginning.

But yes, I am looking at doing something more powerful, like a Wonder Woman kind of romance. Like an action film. Because you end up playing a damsel in distress in movies. I think the characters can be better.

A damsel but not in distress. Like a warrior princess. I can save myself. So I feel like something like that would be really really awesome. Wonder Woman or I loved Khaleesi in Game of Thrones. I want these powerful characters to come my way. That would be amazing.

These are the kinds of roles I am truly always greedy for. Also looking at something on OTT because there you can experiment. Scripts are being written where it is not very conventional, not what has been getting done all these years. So yes, fingers crossed.

I am looking at doing something more powerful, like a Wonder Woman kind of romance. Like an action film. Because you end up playing a damsel in distress in movies. I think the characters can be better.

- Pragya Jaiswal (as told to India Forums)

Q. Going back to Khel Khel Mein a bit. It releases in a crowded week with big clashes. Do you feel a different date might have changed things for the film?

I do feel so. I feel like a date where we did not have a clash with other films could have been favourable. But again, I also feel like every film has its own destiny. Some of the people associated with the film like the director, producer, marketing and PR all of them decided to release it on that day. So maybe they thought something was good.

I am never going to question anybody’s decision. But I do feel that it could have been better if we did not have one. I did believe that the clash is unnecessary. Why do we have to fight. After a week or two, let us come comfortably. People will see. But it does not matter. It is what it is. And I am just glad I was a part of film like Khel Khel Mein being my Hindi film debut.

As she eyes bolder characters and fresh formats, Pragya continues her journey with the kind of clarity many actors spend decades seeking. She made her Hindi debut with Khel Khel Mein earlier this year and was last seen in the Telugu action drama Daaku Maharaj.