Actress Muskaan Agarwal, known for her work in Ullu app’s series such as Palang Tod and Rupay 500, has been making waves in the Indian entertainment industry. She has portrayed bold and complex characters in projects like Chaar Saheliyan, Namak, Jaal, Palang Tod: Bekaboo Dil, showcasing her versatility in adapting to different narratives. From portraying strong characters on screen to voicing her opinions on gender representation in media, Muskaan is a force to be reckoned with. In an exclusive conversation, she spoke about her personal inspirations, the state of Indian television, and how social media has changed the game for many.

Muskaan credits her mother and her bhabhis (sisters-in-law) for shaping her independent mindset. “My mom, despite being highly educated, adjusted so much in a joint family. She is my best teacher and friend. From her, I learned to be independent and to take my own stand,” she shares.

Having observed the long-running trends in Indian television, Muskaan feels that the portrayal of women needs a serious update. “TV shows need to be more realistic. The longest-running shows make women appear so weak, which is far from reality. Everything is exaggerated and melodramatic,” she says.

She also advocates for more male-centric stories. “Most TV shows are women-oriented, and while that’s important, men-oriented narratives should also exist. Also, the hypocrisy is real—on TV, a woman having two husbands or a man cheating on his wife is normalized, but when actors take up bold roles on OTT, they are judged harshly.”

Muskaan’s performance in Rupay 500 showcased the struggles of domestic workers. She took inspiration from real-life experiences to shape her character. “The series depicted the harsh realities that maids face. I was deeply moved by my own maid’s story, and I tried to reflect her emotions in my performance.”

The actress also calls out the industry’s shortcomings. “The production and creative teams often manipulate and equal respect must be given to every one on set. Also, facilities should be provided for women working late at night to ensure their safety.”

Despite the challenges in traditional entertainment, Muskaan sees social media as an empowering space. “Unlike mainstream media, social media is not gender-biased. It gives people the freedom to express themselves and even build careers from home. The LGBTQ+ community also enjoys more acceptance and visibility there,” she notes.

Muskaan believes that true empowerment starts within. “Women today are slaves to their own thoughts. The day they change their mindset, that will be real freedom. We must be proud of being women and stand up for ourselves.”