I never gave up on myself: Raashii Khanna

Raashii Khanna started her film career with the Hindi movie Madras Cafe (2013). And after having spent a decade in the South film industry, she’s again part of a Hindi project, Farzi, helmed by director duo Raj & DK. The actress is getting rave reviews for her performance as Megha Vyas (whose expertise lies in sniffing out fake notes) in the comic thriller.

Has life come full circle for Raashii, we ask. “It’s a bit surprising actually to realise that I have completed a decade in the film industry. I still feel like a student in cinema, trying to understand the nuances of the craft and improve myself. It’s been an enriching journey,” she shares.

Over the years, Raashii starred in several masala entertainers that became very successful. So, has her choice shifted to more serious roles? Actors love to see themselves in various roles, provided there’s room to perform, she replies.

“Actors get content-driven films only if they prove themselves. After my first film Oohalu Gusagusalade (2013) I did several masala flicks. I auditioned for several films too. Raj & DK saw one of my old auditions and my videos in Tholi Prema and cast me in Farzi,” she says, adding that Farzi is an intriguing project to have at this time of her career.

“It’s OK to drop my make-up if the character needs it, because as actors, we look forward to living the role with authenticity,” she shares, adding that she has been making a conscious effort to look for content-driven plots and roles.

In her quest for authentic scripts, hasn’t she put herself under pressure? Raashii is quick to acknowledge the truth in that. “In the effort to evolve as actors and improve with every film, we do put ourselves under pressure. But that’s the challenge. Every film is a risk, so we need to be courageous to choose this profession, particularly without a godfather,” she chuckles.

“The biggest challenge I encountered is the way I look. Since many think I’m good for masala entertainers and never tried to cast me for content-driven films.

But I am glad that my old audition helped me break that assumption,” she shares.  The actress also auditioned for Ajay Devgn-starrer Rudra. “Working with different filmmakers made me explore more layers as an actor,” she says.

Raashii, who has seen many downturns in her career, stresses that at no point was she laid too low. “I have seen ups and downs but I never gave up on myself during my low phase, and perhaps that’s what helped me not to take my setbacks seriously. The effort was always to work harder and learn from my mistakes,” she reveals.

In another balancing act, Raashii tries to combine showbiz with spiritualism. “I think times are changing, and you can meditate being in showbiz,” she smiles. “My life is a balance of both as they keep me charged up. My family and friends help keep me motivated.”

Asked if she has any ‘3AM friends’ in the industry, she says, “It’s tough to have people in the industry as best friends because after we do films we move on to other films, it’s like a professional space. I don’t have any 3AM friends from the film industry, but I have friends outside the film circle.”

When director duo Raj & DK auditioned me for Farzi, they told her Hindi had too much of a South Indian accent. And that was a surprise. "It was then that I realised the amount of work I did in the South. I am also surprised at the way how I have picked up Telugu and Tamil fluently though I was scared in the beginning."