In the latest edition of the Women Writers' Fest, SheThePeople welcomed Kanika Dhillon, writer and producer; the mind behind some of the most compelling female characters revealed the spectrum of women she brings to life—vulnerable yet fierce, madly in love or driven by greed, honest or flawed, they're raw, real, and unapologetically reflective of the world around us.
When one thinks of Kanika Dhillon's filmography, female characters might immediately come to mind. After all, her stories feature women who challenge the norm, breaking free from the usual stereotypes. However, in an engaging session with Ragini Daliya, Kanika revealed that there’s something more profound that shapes her storytelling—an element that often goes unnoticed but plays a critical role: the city or location.
Kanika Reveals the Key Element of Her Stories, Hint: It’s Not Female Characters
Remember how the Kedarnath yatra and Uttarakhand flood played a pivotal role in Kedarnath? Similarly, in Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba, Agra's Ganga river and its wild crocodiles were essential elements shaping the narrative. In these films, the backdrop or city became a driving force for the story, often acting as a lively element enhancing the relatability of the plot.
Kanika emphasised how the setting is more than just a backdrop—it's a living, breathing entity that interacts with the characters. "The cityscape, the cinematic symbolism, is very important for me to root my characters, where they come from, what they are surrounded by, what is happening around them. And sometimes a character is influenced by the city or the cityscape around. And sometimes the cityscape is reflecting what the character is feeling. As the story unfolds, the city's character also unfolds."
Kanika's passion for this subliminal connection between her characters and their environment is rooted in her background as an author. "I love that sort of interaction, subliminally or more obviously. And I think that also comes from the fact that I'm an author and I love the subtext of certain things."
Despite this focus on cityscapes and settings, Kanika also recognised the deep emotional connection she has with her characters—both male and female. "There is definitely a medical cord that connects me to my female and male characters. And I would like to not be gender-specific here because, as a writer, when I write any character, be it a male lead, a female lead, or an important character in the universe of that story, it originates from me." This emotional connection, she believed, is why her characters resonate so deeply with audiences.
The Art of Writing a Gripping Thriller
On that note, which of Kanika’s films gripped you the most? Was it Manmarziyaan, where a woman, after cheating and divorcing her husband, unexpectedly finds her way back to him? Or Kedarnath, where a tender love story takes a devastating turn as the woman watches her lover choose death right in front of her? Perhaps Judgementall Hai Kya, where a woman accused of murder uncovers the real serial killer in a jaw-dropping twist? Or is it Haseen Dillruba and its sequel, where a woman, through every dark and twisted turn, reunites with her lover by any means?
Each of these films, penned with deep sincerity, fosters an emotional bond that blooms between the characters and the audience. As they suffer, you suffer; as they triumph, you cheer for them. And when the final shocking climax hits, it's hard not to feel that electric connection as everything falls into place.
Kanika shared her approach to keeping viewers hooked, the elements that make a thriller compelling. She explained, "The first layer of a thriller is pure engagement, that you have to be with the characters.”
For her, the emotional connection is crucial. "You have to care enough for the characters to be surprised and shocked about incidents in their lives. If you don't care about something or if you're not caring about the character, however surprised they may be or however shocked they may be, you don't give a damn. So, in stories, for me, it all begins and ends with the characters. Do we love them? Do we hate them? Are we invested in them? And that's the beginning point really."
In Kanika's view, this emotional connection is what elevates a story and makes any genre, particularly thrillers, more fulfilling. "I think that makes for a beautiful emotional engagement. And hence, that makes for a fulfilling experience in any genre, more so a thriller."
Kanika's upcoming projects
Kanika is reuniting with actor Taapsee Pannu for a new feature film, titled "Gandhari", streaming service Netflix announced on September 10, Tuesday. Dhillon, who will produce the movie through her banner Kathha Pictures, said the new film will dig deep into the essence of a mother’s unwavering love and ferocity.
"Gandhari" is described as an action-thriller film that will explore a "different kind of love — the profound bond between mother and child", a press release said.
This marks the second collaboration between Netflix and Dhillon’s Kathha Pictures after “Do Patti.”
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