Aneet Padda was the first choice to play Minu Rawat in the JioHotstar series Hunkkaar, director Karan D Kapadia said in an exclusive conversation with NDTV. The six-episode series, which began streaming on September 25, features Padda as a 17-year-old survivor who pursues a sexual assault case against a powerful self-proclaimed godman, played by Raghubir Yadav.

Kapadia said the filmmakers were already familiar with Aneet's work through their earlier collaborations, including Big Girls Don't Cry and Nitya Mehra's short film Khatti Meethi Yaadein. He said her performance, along with her ability to bring emotional depth and youthful intensity to a demanding character, made her a natural choice for Minu. Kapadia said the team believed she could portray the character's internal conflict and emotional journey with the required sensitivity.

To prepare for the role, Aneet participated in a workshop with acting coach Rachit Singh. Kapadia said the workshop focused on understanding the emotional consequences experienced by survivors of sexual violence, including the loss of trust and faith following trauma. He pointed to a courtroom sequence in the series as an example of how the preparation helped bring the character's emotional experience to the screen.

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Kapadia also addressed whether he and Mehra considered themselves mentors to Aneet, saying he preferred to describe their relationship as a friendship rather than a formal mentor-student association. He credited Aneet herself for her performance, noting that the director can place an actor in a scene but ultimately the performance depends on the actor. Kapadia said he was proud of both the work she has done and the person she is becoming.

Hunkkaar deals with the sensitive subject of sexual violence against minor girls and follows the consequences after Minu's allegations against a powerful religious figure. The series explores the survivor's experience alongside the investigation and wider social dynamics surrounding the case. Aneet's performance has drawn attention following her appearance in Saiyaara, which brought her wider recognition.

Kapadia and Mehra had worked with Aneet before her rise to wider prominence, making Hunkkaar another collaboration between the actor and the filmmakers. The director said the team specifically wanted to draw on her youthful energy and emotional understanding while portraying Minu. The series is currently streaming on JioHotstar.

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