Khushi Bharadwaj In Criminal Justice 4 Has Asperger’s: These Are 10 Symptoms Adults Shouldn’t Ignore

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When Criminal Justice: A Family Matter, starring Pankaj Tripathi and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, premiered its fourth season, audiences were captivated - not just by the legal twists, but by Ira Nagpal, portrayed with astonishing depth by teen actor Khushi Bharadwaj.

Ira is on the autism spectrum with Asperger's syndrome, and her nuanced character brings an emotional complexity seldom seen in Indian mainstream dramas.

Photo Credit: Khushi Bharadwaj/Instagram

At just 17, Khushi entrusted herself to the challenge of bringing authenticity, sensitivity, and vulnerability to a role where one wrong beat could flatten the portrayal or trigger controversy.

The Character: Ira Nagpal In Focus

In this chapter of Criminal Justice, Ira Nagpal is more than just another suspect in a murder investigation - she's a deeply layered individual. Born to parents played by Surveen Chawla and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Ira navigates a rigid social environment while dealing internally with trauma, grief, and the sensory overload common to those on the autism spectrum.

In a standout piano-class scene, her built-up emotional turmoil bursts into a visceral outburst - not out of malice, but as a desperate cry for understanding. As Khushi explains, "Ira's aggression... was Ira's way of crying out for help - not in words, but in the only way she could," reflecting the show's commitment to portraying human distress, not stereotype.

Preparation And Performance: 45 Hours To Authenticity

This wasn't a role Khushi casually stepped into - it was one she meticulously prepared for. Over 45 hours of intensive training with psychiatrist Varkha Chulani and acting coach Sandip Ghosh, Khushi studied real-life cases, gestures, and sensory responses of people with Asperger's. The collaboration extended beyond workshops - director Rohan Sippy and the creative team consulted extensively with mental-health professionals to "ensure the portrayal was both accurate and respectful".

Khushi also conducted fieldwork - observing and interacting with neurodiverse peers at her own school, including classmates with Asperger's. "It gave me firsthand perspective". The result is an Ira who is neither milled out of a stereotype nor burdened by over-explanation - she simply lives.

Securing the role was itself an odyssey: Khushi auditioned 12 times, each round sharpening the emotional realism and nonverbal nuance of the character. Even after her debut audition, the casting team immediately invited her back for adjustments - not for show, but "for doing justice to Ira's world." The process involved workshops focusing on tone, subtle body language, and sensory reactions.

Khushi juggled this demanding audition schedule while preparing for her 10th‑grade boards. "We were a bit unsure... but we went for it!" she recalled. The result was a performance praised for its maturity and clarity - a reflection of Khushi's dedication.

Reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. A TOI report highlighted that Khushi's portrayal "made her more aware of how overwhelming the world can feel" for someone on the spectrum, showcasing a performance rooted in sensitivity and awareness India Today noted that "if not handled with care, it could be perceived as tone-deaf or even offensive," but on the contrary, it was a portrayal praised for nuance and respect.

Let Us Know The 10 Signs Of Asperger's Syndrome In Adults.

What Is Asperger's Syndrome In Adults?

When most people hear the word Asperger's, they tend to think of children who struggle with social cues or who obsessively line up their toys. But the reality is much broader - and quieter. Adults with Asperger's syndrome often go undiagnosed for years, navigating the world with invisible struggles that are misread as awkwardness, coldness, or even arrogance.

In truth, Asperger's is a neurodevelopmental condition that continues into adulthood. While the official diagnosis of Asperger's has now been folded into the broader Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) category (as per DSM-5), many adults still identify with or use the term Asperger's to describe their lived experience. This article explores the key symptoms of Asperger's in adults, how they show up in everyday life, and why recognizing them matters.

1. Struggles With Small Talk And Social Norms

Many adults with Asperger's find small talk exhausting or pointless. They may come off as blunt, uninterested, or even rude-though that's rarely their intention. Conversations about the weather or office gossip feel unnatural, and they might either dominate conversations or stay completely silent.

They might also struggle with reading the room, missing out on facial expressions, tone changes, or sarcasm-leading to misunderstandings in both casual and professional settings.

2. Hyperfocus On Niche Interests

One of the most recognizable traits of Asperger's is an intense, often lifelong interest in a specific topic. This could be trains, languages, computer coding, music theory, or obscure trivia. The adult may know everything about their subject and be more comfortable talking about it than engaging in everyday discussions.

This hyperfocus can be an incredible strength-many adults with Asperger's excel in careers where deep knowledge is valued-but it can make social integration difficult when conversations stray away from their field of interest.

3. Sensory Sensitivities

Loud noises, bright lights, certain textures, or even specific smells can feel unbearable. Adults with Asperger's often have heightened sensitivity to sensory input, which can lead to discomfort or avoidance of certain environments like busy supermarkets, concerts, or open-plan offices.

This sensitivity can also apply to clothing (tags, tight collars), food textures, or even the hum of fluorescent lights that others don't notice.

4. Rigid Routines And Resistance To Change

Change-whether big or small-can be deeply unsettling. Many adults with Asperger's prefer strict routines and predictability, finding comfort in knowing what to expect. Sudden shifts in plans, last-minute meetings, or unexpected guests can cause anxiety or even emotional shutdown.

This can also show up in their eating habits, travel preferences, or bedtime routines, which are often structured and repetitive.

5. Literal Thinking And Difficulty Understanding Metaphors

Say something like "break a leg" or "hit the nail on the head," and someone with Asperger's might take you at your word. They often interpret language literally and may struggle with idioms, sarcasm, or jokes based on abstract meanings.

This can create social hiccups in conversations, leading to confusion or awkwardness in otherwise lighthearted moments.

6. Difficulty With Eye Contact And Body Language

Maintaining eye contact may feel uncomfortable or unnatural. Adults with Asperger's might either avoid eye contact altogether or stare intensely without realizing it. Their body language can be stiff, closed off, or out of sync with the conversation, often giving the impression of emotional distance.

Similarly, they might struggle to recognize non-verbal cues in others, like facial expressions, posture, or tone of voice-missing out on the unspoken elements of social interaction.

7. Social Exhaustion After Interaction

Even when they appear social and engaged, adults with Asperger's often experience social fatigue. Interacting in groups, navigating small talk, or being "on" all day can leave them drained, requiring long periods of solitude to recharge.

They may be described as introverted or shy, but the underlying reason is often related to sensory overload and the cognitive load of decoding social cues.

8. Trouble With Empathy-But Not a Lack of It

Contrary to common stereotypes, adults with Asperger's are not unemotional or unempathetic. Rather, they often experience something called cognitive empathy difficulty-they struggle to understand how someone feels, even if they care deeply about others' well-being.

Interestingly, many adults on the spectrum possess high affective empathy-they feel things very deeply but may have trouble expressing it or responding in socially expected ways.

9. Clumsiness or Unusual Body Movements

While not universal, many adults with Asperger's report being physically awkward or clumsy. They may struggle with coordination or fine motor skills, have difficulty learning new movements, or display repetitive motions like hand-flapping, rocking, or fidgeting.

These stimming behaviors aren't harmful-they're often self-soothing mechanisms used to regulate emotions or stress.

10. History Of Feeling "Different"

Perhaps the most unifying feature is the lifelong sense of being different, out of place, or socially behind others. Many adults report that they always felt like they were pretending to be normal, trying to decode a social world that didn't make sense.

They may have been misdiagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, or even depression, and only later in life-after learning about autism-do they finally have a "lightbulb moment."

When To Seek Support

If you or someone you know resonates with these signs, consider consulting a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, or neurologist for a formal assessment. Diagnosis can bring clarity, self-compassion, and access to support tools like therapy, social coaching, and workplace accommodations.

Autism doesn't need to be "cured"-but recognizing it can help you build a life around your strengths, not your struggles.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.