Director Rohan Sippy’s JioHostar series Criminal Justice: A Family Matter, which is the fourth season of the show, has an ensemble cast of Pankaj Tripathi, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, Asha Negi and others and they are being appreciated for their work. But despite the long list of cast members, young actress Khushi Bharadwaj has managed to stand apart through her powerful portrayal of Ira, a teenage girl suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome. In an exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama, Khushi speaks about her experience and preparation for the role.
EXCLUSIVE: Criminal Justice S4 actress Khushi Bharadwaj on her most intense scene with Pankaj Tripathi as a teenager with Asperger’s Syndrome, “We didn’t over-rehearse it”
How did you get cast for the important character of Ira in Criminal Justice Season 4?
I auditioned more than 12 times for this role, but I never felt discouraged. From the first time I read the script, I felt a strong connection with Ira. It didn’t feel like just another character — it felt like someone I deeply wanted to understand and portray. Each audition helped me learn more about her. When I finally got the call that I had been selected, it was an emotional moment. I was thrilled and nervous at the same time because I knew this was going to be something special.
Your character was challenging, considering she had Asperger’s Syndrome. How did you prepare for it? Did you do any research?
Yes, the role came with a lot of responsibility. I knew I had to approach it with honesty and empathy. My training was very intense — I worked with my acting coach, Sandip Ghosh sir, for 4 to 5 hours daily. We focused on body language, emotional processing, and understanding how someone with Asperger’s experiences the world.
Apart from that, the team arranged expert sessions with psychiatrists and behavioral specialists. I also watched real-life videos and read personal accounts. A big help was my school experience — I had classmates over the years who had similar conditions. Observing them day-to-day gave me real insights into their communication styles and emotional responses, which I brought into my portrayal of Ira.
How was your experience with director Rohan Sippy? How did he handle your scenes?
Rohan sir was incredible to work with. Although I am a young actor, sir trusted me for Ira like anything. From the start, he treated Ira’s character with so much care and sensitivity. He was very clear in his direction but always gave me the space to explore and bring something personal to the scenes.
He also helped me focus on the emotional subtlety that Ira required — the quietness, the stillness. It wasn’t about being dramatic; it was about being real. His trust and calm energy made all the difference for me on set.
Because of her condition, Ira didn’t make eye contact while speaking. How did you get this aspect right?
That was actually one of the most difficult parts of the role. People with Asperger’s often find eye contact uncomfortable or overwhelming, and that’s something I had to practice constantly. We worked on it during rehearsals and psychiatric sessions — how to convey emotion and stay present in the scene without looking directly at the other actor. It was subtle work, but really important to get right.
One powerful scene from the show is when Pankaj Tripathi’s character visits Ira and she gets disturbed. How was your experience doing that scene?
That scene was very emotionally demanding. Ira is in a fragile state, and Pankaj sir’s character brings a different kind of calmness into her space. Working with him was amazing — his energy helped me stay grounded, and the entire moment just flowed naturally.
We didn’t over-rehearse it, which allowed for more genuine reactions. It was one of those scenes where I really felt like I was living as Ira, not just acting. We did a lot of session with Psychiatrist, so that the scenes will come out naturally.
How was it acting with such experienced names like Pankaj Tripathi, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, Asha Negi, and others?
It was a huge learning experience for me. Pankaj sir, Zeeshan sir, Surveen ma’am, and Asha ma’am are all such natural and powerful performers. Just watching them perform taught me a lot — their timing, presence, and ability to be so honest in every scene.
One moment I’ll always remember is the jail scene with Zeeshan sir. His performance was so moving that it made it easy for me to react as Ira — it didn’t feel like acting at all.
You also acted with Varun Dhawan in Baby John. How was your experience with him?
Working with Varun bhaiya was a completely different vibe. He’s full of energy, super professional, and so down-to-earth. On set, he makes everyone feel at ease and keeps the environment light, but when the camera rolls, he’s extremely focused. I had a great time working with him. Baby John was a high-energy project and I learned a lot from just observing how he handles both fun and action-packed scenes.
What are your forthcoming projects?
Right now, we’re still in the process of finalizing my next project. After playing Ira, I’ve realized how important it is to choose characters that carry depth and purpose. So, while nothing is locked yet, some exciting discussions are happening, and I hope to share good news soon!
Also Read: Surveen Chawla on her character in Criminal Justice: A Family Matter, “There’s nobody clearer than Anju as to what she’s doing and what her aim is”
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