Rajniesh Duggall opens up about his challenging role in Jwala, a short film tackling the sensitive issue of child abuse, calling it a story that must be told.
He plays a broken, aimless villager with hidden darkness, something he’s never done before.
Rajniesh Duggall has tackled diverse roles throughout his career and now, in the new short film Jwala (streaming on Pocket Films), he steps into the shoes of a troubled villager. Although he was initially hesitant to accept the role, he ultimately agreed, believing this film addresses a subject that must be brought to light in our times.
He says, “Jwala deals with a very sensitive truth about society, across tiers. When director Yuvraaj narrated the script and described my character, I initially declined. But the next morning, I called him back and said yes, I felt it’s a story that needs to be told, and I want to be a part of it.”
He continues candidly, “It’s about child abuse. At first, I didn’t want to get involved, but then I realised this story must come out.”
Speaking about his character, Rajniesh elaborates, “I play a man who has lost his wife, has no love life, and is seen as a good‑for‑nothing who spends his time at home. He is a villager, a failed army man, one who doesn’t hold down a job.”
“He has no aim, no vision so much so that he spends days in his baniyan and pajamas. Beneath that, he hides dark vices and commits a heinous act. In many ways, his profile reflects men in our 2nd and 3rd tier cities. I have never played something like this before, it was very challenging.”
For Rajniesh, short films offer unique freedom. “I enjoy watching short films, and I love doing them. They are a powerful medium for storytelling, especially when a subject demands brevity and intensity, rather than stretch,” he concludes.
Tags : Rajniesh Duggall, Jwala, Child Abuse, Short Films, Compelling Stories
