“Modern relationships are complicated. I’d say love is like a bleeding rose rather than a bed of roses. And cinema is changing with the times in portraying complex characters and uncomfortable truths,” says Raashii Khanna, as we discuss her new Telugu film, Telusu Kada. Releasing on October 17, the film — written and directed by Neerraja Kona — stars Raashii alongside Siddhu Jonnalagadda and Srinidhi Shetty. The trailer, which highlights the alpha male traits of Siddhu’s character, has already sparked conversations. Raashii agrees that the film is bound to do the same: “You may or may not like the film, but it will definitely start discussions.”
Raashii was approached for the film in 2023. After listening to Neerraja’s narration, she realised it was a clear departure from the light-hearted romances she had done earlier — Oohalu Gusagusalade and Tholi Prema. “Earlier, the stories were about a couple drifting apart due to ego clashes and then reconciling,” she says, adding that Telusu Kada feels far more new-age in its treatment.
Though the trailer amplifies the alpha male aspects of Siddhu’s character, Raashii clarifies that the film doesn’t endorse toxicity in relationships. “We had several discussions. I was triggered by a few scenes and would often ask why my character or Srinidhi’s reacted in a certain way. I believe it’s important to be mindful and not hurt the other person in a relationship as much as possible. Siddhu’s character is brutally honest, with no filters, which makes his words difficult to digest. I kept reiterating that there had to be some form of redemption towards the end.”
Raashii shares that she suggested Srinidhi Shetty for the other female lead. “That role needed an actor who could bring a sense of innocence, and I thought she’d be perfect for it.”
As for the romance in Telusu Kada, Raashii says it’s quite unlike her previous film World Famous Lover. “That film began with the death of a relationship and my character walking away. This one is a lot tougher.”
Reality check
Raashii grew up watching the mushy romances of Hindi cinema in the 1990s and 2000s, but she admits that reality turned out differently. “While I love watching those romances, the child in me felt cheated when reality struck,” she says with a laugh.
Raashii Khanna
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Special Arrangement
Her real-life experiences, however, help her deliver emotionally grounded performances, even when her characters are far removed from who she is in real life. “The beauty of acting lies in playing characters that are unlike yourself. The only trait Anjali and I share is self-respect. The film also poses the question — how far would she go in a relationship while forgoing that self-respect? There were moments when the film emotionally drained me; I broke down. I can get quite judgmental of my characters. Neerraja and Siddhu were my guiding forces, reminding me not to bring my own moral compass into this character.”
On set, debates were common about who among the three characters was in the right, and Raashii recalls how different crew members took different sides. “It’s an emotionally stirring film,” she says.
Raashii shares that while she learns her dialogues, she prefers not to rehearse, relying instead on instinct once the camera rolls. “That makes the portrayal feel more natural,” she explains.
Since her debut in 2013, Raashii has primarily worked in Telugu films but has also ventured into Hindi, Tamil, and occasionally Malayalam cinema. “I don’t choose my work based on language. While I enjoy mainstream cinema, I’m truly grateful when I get opportunities that give me more scope to act.”
The quest for balance
Raashii Khanna
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
The Hindi web series Farzi was a step in that direction. “There was a time when the roles I was offered boxed me into playing pretty-looking characters. Most commercial films don’t give you much scope to perform. Farzi made people take me seriously as an actor. The focus wasn’t on my hair or makeup. I’d love to do more content-driven roles.”
That said, Raashii admits she chooses different projects for different reasons, and that mainstream cinema still plays an important role in maintaining visibility. She is part of the Pawan Kalyan-starrer Ustaad Bhagath Singh, among other upcoming films. “I try to balance between different kinds of projects. I just don’t want to be typecast,” she says.
Raashii also has a wishlist. “I’d love to be cast as a princess or a queen in a mythological drama. I’d also like to play a character with grey shades, and do a female-led film in Telugu or Tamil.”
Amidst the constant travel and promotional whirlwind, it’s reading that keeps her grounded. “I recently read The Book of Women by Osho. Books like these calm me down and bring me a sense of peace.”
Published – October 14, 2025 04:06 pm IST
