Huma Qureshi on Delhi Crime 3: This is the darkest role of my career

The OG cop team of Delhi Crime returns with its third season, led by Shefali Shah as DIG Vartika Singh, Rasika Dugal as Neeti Singh, and Rajesh Tailang as Bhupendra Singh. And joining the cast this season is Huma Qureshi, who takes on the role of a formidable new antagonist, Badi Didi.

At the trailer launch, Huma spoke about her excitement at joining a show she has long admired. She said, “Evil suits me (laughs)! On a serious note, I have been such a huge fan of Delhi Crime Seasons One and Two that when I got the call to be part of it, I felt like a kid who just got their favourite toy.

What Shefali, Rasika, Rajesh and the entire team have done with this series is incredible. It is an honour to enter this universe and take the story forward.

I knew I had to bring my A-game because all of them play such loved and layered characters. It was a lot of fun, and everyone was so warm and welcoming that it never felt like I was a new member on set.”Opening up about playing one of the darkest characters of her career, Huma added, “I think mere career ka yeh shaayad sabse dark aur sabse ghinona kirdar hoga, and I mean that in the best possible way. This is the worst character I have ever played in terms of morality.

I am the “best worst” character ever (laughs!). But I thoroughly enjoyed it. When you play someone dark, there are no limits. You can explore so much, and I truly did.

It was challenging because, as a person, I am very conscious about the kind of roles I portray. I always want the women I play to have agency, perspective and a voice. This character also has that, but it is from a very negative place. So yes, I had doubts initially. I wondered whether I should do it or not. But Delhi Crime is such a powerful show that reflects society and holds a mirror to it. I feel that sometimes when you play a negative character and people like your performance, it helps highlight the issue even more. So, if my performance can bring even a little more awareness to the conversation, I consider it an honour to have done this role.”