If anyone embodies the phrase “growing into your own role,” it’s Raashii Khanna. Across a decade-long career, Khanna has consistently played sharp police officers, headstrong lawyers, and resilient journalists —women who remain completely unshakable amid chaos.
Over time, these on-screen traits have clearly shaped her real-life approach to acting, moving her away from pure glamour and toward characters with real depth.
“If there's something that you think doesn't align with your values, you should be able to say no. People respect that, and you'll eventually understand its power. I know I did," Khanna tells THR India, fresh off garnering praise for her role in Lukkhe.
Having anchored several blockbuster Telugu titles throughout her filmography, Khanna achieved a massive pan-India breakout with Raj & DK’s acclaimed Prime Video series Farzi — a universe she is slated to return to for its highly anticipated sequel.
"When I entered the industry, I was like a child who didn't know which direction to take. I was entirely taken in by the glamour of it all," Khanna reflects. "There are all kinds of voices that will come and try to direct you, but what truly saved me was learning how to say no. That is ultimately what makes the industry take you seriously."
In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Khanna opens up about the hard-earned lessons from her 13-year cinematic journey, the strategic power of rejection, and how she navigates her evolving position in the film industry today.
You have been in this industry for over a decade. What have been the learnings like?
I have definitely grown as an actor and as a person. I’ve become more empathetic. I've stopped judging anybody because the more you play different characters, the more you understand where they come from. And that reflects in your life too because you understand why certain people are doing certain things.
And you had no professional training in acting...
Yes. Even today, when I go on to a set, it's like a first film for me. I have to give it my all. I have realised that you need to be extremely emotionally resilient in this profession, because careers are not linear. You can have phases where everything works, phases when nothing works, and phases where you're questioning yourself completely.
I never wanted to become rigid creatively. I wanted to adapt and try as many roles as I could just see how the audience accepted me. I used to seek external validation earlier, but today it's more about if a project speaks to me.
Does it have emotional depth? Are there layers to match? Can I work on it? It shouldn't be shallow, because audiences today are very smart. They'll get bored easily if you keep doing a similar kind of a genre or roles. You have to keep creatively working on yourself.
Before you became an actor, you were studying to be an IAS officer; has that made you more inclined towards selecting certain types of roles?
I'm very curious as a human being. When you play a journalist or a cop, there is a curiosity in their body language, in the way they move, in the way they observe. I naturally get attracted to these characters because there's so much to explore being in their shoes.
You started acting in Hindi and Telugu films within a year of your debut. As someone from Delhi with no acting background, what did that shift feel like?
I think it was a bit of both. I was excited and nervous. The first time I got a Telugu script in my hand, I thought I couldn't do it. What I realised was that a lot of times we put these barriers in our own life. We think we can't do certain things. But trust me, if you let go, you really can. You're capable of a lot.
I really sat through it and questioned myself: what is there that I can't do? And that is where I grew as a human being. I decided that I had to learn the language because if you have to connect to your audience, you need to understand the nuances of their culture, their language. And I do see them reciprocating. The love you get is tenfold, but hard work is the only way to rise.
How is the 2013 you different from the present you in terms of how you see the industry and your role in it?
When I entered the industry, I was like a child who didn't know which direction to take. I just knew I had to work hard and learn what acting is really about. I was too taken in by the glamour of it. There are all kinds of people who will come and tell you things, but what helped me was to learn to say no. That is what makes people take you seriously.
If there's something that you think doesn't align for you, you should be able to say no. People respect that and you'll eventually understand it. And I did. Today, I am more confident in my skin. I don't seek external validation.
The metrics have changed because earlier you used to question if a film would work and if it will bring in numbers. Today, it's more about relating to the audience. Are they loving me in a film? Am I giving them enough? Are they not getting bored of me? The questions have changed.
So, what are you hungry for today?
I have realised that after a certain point, as you are rising, the responsibility on your shoulder also rises, and the responsibility to deliver better rises.
My risk-taking capacity has increased. And it excites me more because people have started accepting me in different kinds of roles. Today, I'm okay entering uncomfortable emotional spaces if the material is worth it. I want to collaborate with directors who have a strong voice and with writers who understand emotional nuance. I've also understood the importance of having a great director.
I want to collaborate with more people, and because the industries have merged and there's so much talent flowing from north to south and vice versa, there are more opportunities. I'm also trying to balance both and looking at more scripts in the south. I don't just want to be a commercial face; I also want to be known as an actor.
What has it been like to work on Farzi 2 and with Anees Bazmee for his new film co-starring Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan?
The Anees Bazmee film is a completely different space from some of the emotionally heavy material people have recently seen me in! That is what excited me because you can do all of this heavy loaded stuff, but in the end, you want something that's light.
Anees sir understands entertainment rhythm so instinctively. I have grown up watching his films. His films have scale, they have humour, chaos, timing. As actors, that energy is very infectious. Comedy is something I really enjoy. I'm enjoying being a part of this film and of course, working with Akshay sir and Vidya ma'am.
The love for Farzi 2 has been incredible. The scale, tension and character dynamics have evolved, and I'm very excited for audiences to enter that world again. There's also Talakhon Mein Ek with Vikrant Messi, which hasn't yet released. I feel like that will certainly shift the way people see me because there's a lot of heart that has been put into that project.