Why Was Raashii Khanna Initially ‘Not Interested’ in ‘Madras Cafe’?
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Synopsis
Actress Raashii Khanna shares her unexpected journey to her debut film 'Madras Cafe'. Initially uninterested in acting, she reveals the challenges she faced during auditions and how her perspective shifted, leading her to embrace her new career. Discover the backstory behind her rise in Bollywood.
Key Takeaways
- Raashii Khanna initially did not want to pursue acting.
- Her breakthrough film was 'Madras Cafe'.
- She experienced shyness during auditions.
- Raashii is fluent in multiple languages.
- She found purpose in acting beyond her original career aspirations.
Mumbai, May 19 (NationPress) Actress Raashii Khanna disclosed that she was initially uninterested in auditioning for her debut film “Madras Cafe”, which premiered in 2013 featuring John Abraham in the lead role.
This revelation came during her appearance on Farah Khan’s YouTube show, where she also shared her favorite dish, “kale chane ka pulao”.
“I actually fled from the first audition. There were numerous people present. It was for an advertisement — a lip gloss commercial. I felt intimidated by the crowd; I’ve always been quite shy,” Raashii confessed.
Farah then asked, “Was it not Mukesh Chhabra?”
“No, they sent me to small auditions,” Raashii clarified, adding: “There were auditions, but not many people were called. There were no open calls. I received an ad offer. Casting director Jogi Ji contacted me about the Madras Cafe casting.”
“I told them, ‘I am not interested in films. I just want to pass the time.’ I declined twice. The third time, I accepted out of respect,” Raashii shared.
“Madras Cafe” is a political action thriller directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Shoojit Sircar. It also stars Nargis Fakhri.
The film is set against the backdrop of the late 1980s and early 1990s, during the Indian involvement in the Sri Lankan civil war and the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The story follows an Indian soldier assigned by the intelligence agency R&AW to lead covert operations in Jaffna shortly after the withdrawal of the Indian peacekeeping force.
Farah expressed disbelief that Raashii had turned down the opportunity.
“People are eager to audition for films,” Farah remarked, inquiring, “So, after the audition, you got a movie?”
“That was my debut film. Following that, I began receiving offers from the South,” Raashii replied.
She also mentioned her linguistic abilities: “I can speak Punjabi, Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu.”
“You could have pursued a career in the embassy as an interpreter or something similar,” Farah responded, astonished.
Raashii added, “My original goal was to become an IAS officer. But now I realize that as an actor, we can contribute significantly to society. I’m happy in my acting career.”
Point of View
I find Raashii Khanna's story to be a testament to the unpredictability of career paths in the entertainment industry. Her journey from disinterest to a successful acting career illustrates how opportunities can arise from unexpected places, encouraging aspiring actors to persevere through their doubts.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Raashii Khanna uninterested in acting initially?
Raashii Khanna was initially uninterested in acting as she felt intimidated by large crowds during auditions and preferred to pass the time instead.
What was Raashii's first film?
Her first film was 'Madras Cafe', which was released in 2013 and starred John Abraham.
Who directed 'Madras Cafe'?
'Madras Cafe' was directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Shoojit Sircar.
What languages does Raashii Khanna speak?
Raashii Khanna is fluent in Punjabi, Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu.
What inspired Raashii to pursue acting?
Raashii realized that acting allows her to make a significant impact on society, shifting her initial goal of becoming an IAS officer.
