Becoming Jaspal: My Journey as the Swimming Coach in Lipstick Under My Burkha

When I first tried to audition for the role of Jaspal, the swimming coach in Lipstick Under My Burkha, I was rejected based on my appearance. Maybe I was too beefed up, or maybe something else didn’t fit their vision. But just when I thought the opportunity had slipped away, my mentor, Prakash Jha ji, stepped in and created an opening for me to audition. That single chance changed everything—I auditioned, and I cracked it in one go.

This role brought me into an incredibly talented team led by Alankrita Shrivastava, alongside a stellar cast featuring Konkona Sen Sharma, Ahana Kumra, Sushant Singh, Plabita Borthakur, and Vikrant Massey. But the most thrilling part for me was being paired with the legendary Ratna Pathak Shah. Sharing screen space with such an accomplished artist was a learning experience unlike any other.
Breaking the Ice with Ratna Pathak Shah

Before filming, we underwent a 15-day workshop, primarily to make me comfortable performing alongside Ratna ji. Most of our scenes in the film were phone conversations—bold, cheeky, and sometimes nerve-wracking. While the workshop helped ease my nerves, the true test was yet to come.

Luckily, Ratna ji’s part of the phone conversations was shot first. Though I traveled all the way from Mumbai to Bhopal just to deliver the counter cues, for me, the real benefit was observing her performance first hand. Watching her bring her character to life was a masterclass in acting. Her depth, her intensity, her nuanced expressions—I might not have been able to imagine her scale had I not been on set for her scenes.

When my turn came to shoot the responses, nearly three months later in Mumbai, I felt fully prepared. Having absorbed her rhythm and energy, I caught the wavelength—the sur—of the character. The chemistry translated beautifully on screen, and our conversation in the film was well-received by the audience.

Transforming Into a Swimming Coach

Another significant challenge was physically transforming myself to look like a swimming coach. I wanted to embody the lean, athletic build of a swimmer, so I committed to an intense weight-loss regimen. From 80 kgs, I aimed to shed as much weight as possible.

Every night, from 10 PM to midnight, I climbed stairs—six rounds of my 33-floor building, totaling 200 floors. The routine was grueling, but I was determined. And when the day finally arrived to don the swimming costume on set, I knew the effort had paid off.
I will never forget the moment Alankrita saw me in costume and said, “Thank you, Jagat. Well done.” That was it for me. The look was set.

A Journey of Growth
Being part of Lipstick Under My Burkha was a deeply enriching experience. From fighting for an audition to working with industry legends, from pushing my physical limits to finding the right emotional pitch, the journey taught me resilience, dedication, and the magic of true cinematic collaboration. And for that, I am forever grateful.