Konkona Sen Sharma says, “Applause Entertainment has given me two of my most challenging roles in recent times”; Mita Vashisht and Surveen Chawla also praise the banner for their portrayal of women

By Subhash K. Jha -

October 20, 2025 - 3:50 PM IST

From Criminal Justice in 2019 to The Game: You Never Play Alone and Search: The Naina Murder Case in in 2025, Applause Entertainment has established a reputation for projecting strong female characters into their content, women who mean business and won’t be cowed down.

Konkona Sen Sharma says, “Applause Entertainment has given me two of my most challenging roles in recent times”; Mita Vashisht and Surveen Chawla also praise the banner for their portrayal of women

In Shirsha Guha Thakurta’s exquisitely enchanting Do Aur Do Pyaar, produced by Applause Entertainment, Vidya Balan wowed us as a wife who can’t seem to follow her heart. Vidya’s performance was so warm and lived-in, it felt like real life.

Another underused powerhouse of an actor Konkona Sen Sharma obtained two of her best roles in Applause’s Search: The Naina Murder Case and the feature film The Rapist (directed by Konkona’s mother Aparna Sen).

Speaking of her twin triumphs, Konkona said, “It is true, Applause has given me two of my most challenging roles in recent times. Working with them is an occasion to hone my skills.”

The talented Tahira Kashyap got the opportunity to direct Sharmajee Ki Beti for Applause. A standing ovation for little Vanshika Taparia in Sharmajee Ki Beti, who gave Sakshi Tanwar a run for her ‘Mummy’. Where did Tahira Kashyap and Applause find this bomb?

In Applause’s City Of Dreams, the sinfully underrated Priya Bapat is specially effective, negotiating the power spaces that her politician father has vacated. Priya also found her metier in Applause’s Zindaginama which featured Shweta Basu Prasad and Priya Bapat playing two women who cope with demands on their body they do not.

Surveen Chawla credits Sameer Nair and Applause Entertainment for a rare chance to shine above the male characters. “The freedom that I got while working in Applause Entertainment’s Criminal Justice Season 4 was very liberating. Rarely does one get a role so layered and yet so revealing.”

Mita Vashisht, who is part of Criminal Justice franchise, feels the women have a strong voice in Applause Entertainment’s repertoire. “I don’t have the central role in Criminal Justice. But my senior advocate’s part is one of the biggest challenges of my career. Women don’t need just space; they also need an assertive voice in our cinema. This, I think, Sameer Nair and Applause Entertainment are doing effectively.”

Also Read: Rajat Bedi opens up on failing to shine in a scene in Koi… Mil Gaya: “I wasn’t a mature actor back then…”