Rashami Desai, the charismatic and beautiful TV actress who became immensely popular with her role of Tapasya in the famous Colors show Uttaran takes us through her journey and how she made it into this industry.

The actress has worked in various shows such as Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa 5, Fear Factor: Khatron ke Khiladi, Nach Baliye 7, Comedy Circus, Zara Nachke Dikha, Ctime Patrol etc. She also had a cameo in a song in the Salman Khan starrer, Dabangg. She is also among one of the highest-paid TV actresses of India.

She belongs to a humble family from Mumbai, and she loved dancing. Her dancing career began before she became an actress. “My mother was a single parent and she used to work so hard to provide me good education and I didn’t really have extra money to learn dancing but I used to watch X Factor and learnt by observing Madhuri Dixit’s moves. While dancing, I used to get offers for ads.”

Her mother is a teacher and Desai did a diploma in travel, she was supposed to pursue her training but she got an opportunity with a BR Chopra TV show, ‘Mukadma’. She was asked to give the look test and her mother was very supportive and told her that it’s not like everyone gets the opportunity, but she got it and she should explore. If she doesn’t feel comfortable then she can always go back to what she liked doing. Dancing also helped her with the expressions and body language, and she gave her audition for Pari Hoon Main. That was her first show when she was just 18 and post that, she has never looked back.

“I have been in this industry for about 12-12.5 years. Though I don’t want to keep a track of that as I want to feel new every year. I want to keep growing, keep exploring new things. I am a private person so I used to be a bit apprehensive about sharing pictures and my life through social media but then the kind of lifestyle I have, it is a part of it but slowly, I started reaching out to my fans and the audience through social media.”

In-Born Talent or Training

“I always got good co-actors from whom I got to learn. I am still learning, and I don’t even mind learning from a child. Since I started young, there are so many changes that come about with age and experience, when you are raw, things are beautiful but when you are polished, you become more elegant.”

But having said that, she still feels one shouldn’t lose his/her innocence. She is still learning to keep her pace and is very adventurous at the same time. She doesn’t believe in makeup and getting captured by paparazzi all the time. “I believe in what I do, I believe in my work and I always say that my work will get me more work and people who are genuinely passionate about their work, they are unstoppable.”

Approach towards Career

She defines her career as a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs. It began with a boom but in between, there were many ups and downs. There were some issues in her personal life as well, but she understood that respect is the key to everything.

“I can’t think that way that I am Rashami Desai and will just get work. One still must go and ask for work. Every five years, there is a change, there are people coming in, people who started with me are going to reach to a certain level. You must maintain good relations with people and respect them. Rest, passion for your work should also be there.”

Luck

Luck is important and has a role to play. She mentioned that she was watching Akshay Kumar’s interview with Anupam Kher and he kept on saying that luck is important, and, in his case, she believes it is. But then in the case of Ranveer Singh, he is a hard-working guy and with his hard work, he has transformed himself from his first film till now. Though he has always been a very good actor.

“Nowadays, people have so many options, they can check my Instagram, Facebook etc., they want to see how Rashami Desai is looking. These things also matter and in my 80s, I’d like to look like Madonna. People have been so good to me; I get a lot of appreciation from them.”

Overcoming Obstacles

“I think belief in yourself and having patience is important. If you want to achieve something, it won’t come very easily to you. I have earned my success; I have got success and I have achieved what I wanted to. I have so many trophies, but all those trophies are critics awards. Also, you should never give up.”

Success Mantra

“This too shall pass. I have seen a lot of bad days and faced hardships so I used to say this too shall pass and good days will come.”

Working with Other Actors and Teamwork

She says that she is very professional on the set and if she gets to know that someone is uncomfortable, she will approach the director as two actors may have different visions, but the director’s vision is most important.

Staying Fit

She loves dancing and she does that to stay fit. She is not really a gym person, but dancing gives her happiness and helps her stay fit and healthy.

Previous Learning Experience

“I learnt a lot from the actors I worked with-Ravi Kishan, Ayub Khan, Pratima Tandon, Tina Dutta, Vaishali Thakkar, and my director Nandita Mehra who believed in me and my character and because of her, people still remember my character. They still remember the second character I played in Uttaran.”

Preferred Roles

She doesn’t have any limitations but if she has to do a bold role, she may think twice about it.

Favourite Actors

Kangana Ranaut, Alia Bhatt. Alia is very good, she understands and analyses everything, she also believes in miming. She is spontaneous and I like that about her.

Current Projects

Desai mentioned that she is not taking up any project as of now and for the past 4 months, she has been working on herself. Though, She was in Delhi for India Runway where she walked the ramp for Doienka by Apoorva Mahajan. It was her first time and she was very impressive.

Organizing, Planning and Prioritizing Work

“I am very well-organised. My bags are always nicely packed, I have dedicated staff who help me a lot. My mother is definitely a big support but my staff, they take such good care of me, and nurture me like a child.”

Role Model

“I want to become like Indira Gandhi. What a woman she was. Then these days, I am in awe of Kangana Ranaut especially when she gives interviews. Then, I look at Rahul Gandhi, Narendra Modi. So, just those 5 minutes watching these people is enough for me. I am happy being myself.”

Pros and Cons of TV and Films

TV has a wider reach and in films, people wait for the reviews and everything. TV has become a medium and Ekta Kapoor is the one who has taken that initiative. She is the one who started this trend and I believe that now TV is more powerful than films.

“Films have become predictable, people want more logic and if something doesn’t attract me, I won’t watch.”

Suggestions for Young Aspirants

“I think today’s generation is very different. They want everything to be practical; their vision is different. It is important to see where you want to be after 5 years and focus on that, you will reach there. There is so much exposure now.”

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