Actress Raashii Khanna has carved a niche for herself in B-town. The actress, in a conversation with The Pioneer’s Shikha Duggal, said she has a plethora of films and a multitude of opportunities, but she hasn’t created larger boundaries for herself. Let’s find out more about her movies, co-actors, life, and more in this week’s Celeb Talk with this charming actress.
Thank You actress Raashii Khanna has entered the jungle of B-town, bringing a huge fan base from southern states and wanting to rule the hearts of Hindi audiences with Farzi now. When in conversation with the leading lady, we learnt that the actress has a competitive advantage over others because she’s only focused on building a brand for herself. She’s all set to spread her charm once again.
“Having thought of the series to be made some 8–9 years ago, I am as pleased as punch to be the leading lady of Farzi presently. The team is relieved by the duo’s decision to not go ahead with it as a feature film because it deserves to be on OTT! Our research is so dominant that we wish not to cut down on any parts of it. While filming, I got privy to information about fake notes; I don’t think so because it wouldn’t have held the same relevance as it does today because audiences are evaluating what we do, which is good,” the actress said.
The crime of counterfeiting is as old as money itself, and Farzi’s team was motivated to destabilise this concept, in which Raashii plays a critical role. And, for such an essential role, a lot of research is required, as she explained: “I had collected all the information about the concept before coming on the sets. I know about the policy responses too! I was taught a specific “ink” is used on the notes, we have to be careful about the serial numbers, and there are lines present on a note. This helped me understand the feel of the note and the types of fake notes. Research was indispensable. Cowrie shells were once considered a viable option for use as counterfeit currency. This kind of information was opening my eyes. We are true to originality because nobody else, as per my information, has yet made a series on this kind of theme so openly.”
Raashii completely agrees that the system favours the elite and that the “middle class is suffering”. “They have financial problems, poor education, and I know some who don’t even have medical insurance; they are under a lot of pressure to keep up with technology, and no one is paying attention to them! Their provisions are segregated. When it comes to basic necessities, the wealthy have nothing to worry about because they are never ignored by the same system. On the other hand, the middle class is treated badly; they are getting sucked in from all corners of our society. When it comes to currency counterfeiting, the middle class does not have a million-dollar solution, but our entire economy is being disappointed by this propaganda,” she asserted.
Blurring any dividing lines on her own, the actress is very well aware of who she’s working with, and she calls filmmaker duo Raj and DK “the organised directors who know what they are getting into.” She continued, “Even if we are showing ‘how to make fake currency?’, none of you will ever be able to find out how one actually does it. You just can’t replicate it! The factual process is shown, but we haven’t gone deeper for the sake of protecting the country from harm. For clarification purposes, we are not glorifying counterfeiting. As I previously stated, we are excited to present you with something new in the form of a series because a feature film would have brought with it limitations.”
Is this the series that will make or break popular Tollywood actresses? She politely nods into a “no.” We ask her why? She said, “Not all my hopes are on Farzi. I have a plethora of films and a multitude of opportunities, but I haven’t created larger boundaries for myself. Let me explain: if the series does not become a smash hit, I will not become depressed. I am always optimistic because South films have consistently surprised me throughout my career. Deep down in my heart, I know Raj and DK can never go wrong with their filmmaking creativity. Cheering up after a flop is the most challenging part of being a top actress in this industry.”
Shahid Kapoor’s funny statement about the streaming giant’s contract being very scary to sign made his co-star burst into laughter. She mentioned, “I have no idea what Shahid has in his contract that is alarming (she laughs again). OTT giants know they are coming with a rage; the power is in their court, and hence their interests take an upper hand while signing an A-lister. We as actors are also cooperating with the giants, trying to coexist because formats have changed. To me, personally, it’s no big deal! I have no anxiety about my future; I hate imagining unbelievable scenarios in my head. It’s actually social media these days that can play a little with your mind. Because I am an extremely private person, it’s difficult for me to be unlocked on my social media handles.”
Sharing her camaraderie with the heartthrob Shahid, she expressed, “The more outgoing Shahid is, the more reserved I am (she giggles). I don’t like to mix my friendships with those of my co-stars. My “true” friends are found outside of this industry. I don’t look for friendship on the sets of a movie! Having said that, it doesn’t mean I dislike my co-actors. No, all of us share an amicable bond, but it’s just that I am way too professional on the sets or during promotional activities.”
