‘There’s always a bit of you that’s always back home…’: Jyotika sheds light on everyday battles of women showcased in ‘Dabba Cartel’

NEW DELHI: In the gripping, recently released web series ‘Dabba Cartel’ on Netflix, Jyotika takes on the role of Varuna, a character that represents the countless women navigating the complexities of family, career, and societal expectations.

As the series unfolds, Varuna’s journey highlights the stark realities faced by women striving for equality, both at home and in the workplace.

Jyotika’s portrayal of this strong yet relatable character sheds light on the challenges of balancing motherhood, marriage, and professional ambition in a world still often plagued by gender biases.

‘Dabba Cartel’ follows the lives of five middle-class women whose dabba business takes an unexpected turn into a drug cartel.

In an interview with ANI, when asked about her character and the themes of feminism in the show, Jyotika shared her insights. “Varuna is very similar to the face of a lot of women. Whatever resonates with a common woman is very challenging and interesting to depict on screen.”

She emphasized that feminism is simply about equality and being on the same level as men. “Men and women are the same. There shouldn’t be a hierarchy. And to me, it’s nothing more or less.”

Jyotika also spoke about the importance of giving 100 per cent in every aspect of life, despite not always feeling “100 per cent.” “Being a married woman, it’s a part of everyday life. You’re not always your 100 per cent. Even now, in the morning, I had to deal with a lot of things… my daughter’s gone for her exam too and she just messaged me 10 seconds before I’ve sat here saying she’s done well…So, there’s always a bit of you that’s always back home, and especially when you’re a wife, a mother, and a homemaker, you always have things scattered all around.”

She highlighted the everyday battle that women face, juggling multiple roles and responsibilities. “We all multitask. So, we have to be 200 per cent there, and even 200 per cent at home.”

This intense drama, featuring an ensemble cast including Jyotika, Shabana Azmi, Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey, Anjali Anand, Sai Tamhankar, Lillete Dubey, and Gajraj Rao, is directed by Hitesh Bhatia and written by Vishnu Menon and Bhavna Kher.

The series is created by Shibani Akhtar, Vishnu Menon, Gaurav Kapur, and Akanksha Seda. (ANI)