Rajshri Deshpande's Insightful Journey: Acting, Craft, and Life Beyond Roles
Reflecting on Career Choices, Artistic Evolution, and Prioritizing Craft Over Trivial Pursuits
Rajshri Deshpande refuses to rest on her laurels even after earning plaudits for her performance in the 2023 Netflix series Trial by Fire. The actress, who also featured in Angry Indian Goddesses and Sacred Games, recently chatted with The Telegraph Online about the craft of acting and the need to see it through the prism of life.
2023 has been a great year for you. How do you reflect on the past?
Rajshri Deshpande: Thank you so much. It’s so difficult to define this year. I've taken a lot of trips. The whole of 2021 and 2022 were about surviving, but 2023 was about exploring, evolving. It was all about understanding myself — what I like, how I want to see my work and my thought process. The amount of hard work I had put into my first play when I was in Class 7 kept that artist alive in me. It’s about validation of what I chose to do. You always want to reach a table or a certain place. Even though I am still learning, I feel I am part of that space now,
How do you go about selecting characters and scripts?
View this post on Instagram
Rajshri Deshpande: To be honest, even after Angry Indian Goddesses, I was still picking my roles. When you read a lot, you work in a particular direction. The choice becomes whether you want to be part of it or not. I was okay not doing a project than feeling bad about doing it. There was a phase where I was working for an ad agency. I thought money would bring happiness. I catered to the needs of my clients. There were few options.
I want to be somewhere where I am evolving, learning and gaining something. I have always gone ahead to find my tribe with whom I want to be associated and learn. And because of my non-profit work (Rajshri’s NGO Nabhangan Foundation), I must give my energy there as well. My life is simple.
Coming to scripts, they must surprise and challenge me about things that I have not read or heard about. I want to investigate realism in fantastical settings. I love to observe people. An actor never takes a vacation; we constantly observe, read, and make notes. I would therefore be happy if a script destroyed me.
When people think you're a serious person because of the roles you've played, how do you dispel the myth?
Rajshri Deshpande: Really, I do know! I mimic, I admit it. My name is Nautanki. I am a real party starter (laughs). Life is full of emotions. I want to engage in all facets of life.
We discovered that following Trial by Fire, you did not sign any documents.
Sincerely, Rajshri Deshpande: No, I haven't. I'm searching for something novel and difficult. I am reading a couple of things. I have no problem being slow.
View this post on Instagram
The majority of young actors are working extremely hard in an attempt to reach their goal of becoming famous very quickly. You emphasize empathy a lot. How do you go about living?
Rajshri Deshpande: A decade ago, everyone insisted that I had to stay here and continue holding auditions. Although I did a lot of auditions, I never put my life on hold. I feel I can also learn through my journeys and my experiences with my family and friends. I used to go to Kerala to learn Kathakali and Kalaripayattu and then come back and give auditions. It’s not like you must be there all the time. One shouldn’t miss out on life.
Do you think you can hone your craft by doing this?
Rajshri Deshpande: When you're empty, you can change. You will not be able to perform if the vessel is filled. I am constantly advising people to take on roles that are distinct from their professional ones. Take pauses and avoid overexerting yourself. Opportunities will always exist. Something else will go wrong if one thing doesn't work out. It could enhance the craft.
Meeting new people broadens your horizons and teaches you more about yourself. That’s the biggest learning. I have been working with on-ground farmers. I take a lot of trips. To see my friends from school, I traveled. I enjoy taking in everything.
You said on Instagram that no good casting director chooses actors based solely on their high-end wardrobe, so instead of squandering money on frivolous items to gain approval from their peers, one should invest their money in honing their craft. From where did that emotion originate?
Rajshri Deshpande: I have a list of priorities. I am not going to deny that I have also experienced that phase. Getting dressed up is essential. You look beautiful thanks to stylists, makeup artists, and hairdressers, but you also need to know what your priorities are. I have to save for my rainy days because I don't work much. I'm always looking for a good project to work on when I'm not working. Many people become discouraged when their fan base doesn't grow and become overly involved in everything. They ought to realize that the foundation of social media is total filter space. We must not treat it seriously.
An actor can be anyone. The craft must be comprehended and learned. Someone shouldn't be chosen for the PR stunt. Mental health is impacted. I provide some counseling. I observe people becoming self-conscious about seemingly insignificant things, such as a pimple or falling short of a desired height.
Where will we next see you?
View this post on Instagram
Rajshri Deshpande: Six years ago, I shot a Marathi film. In that film, I portray social reformer Savitribai Phule, who was among the first female teachers in India to focus on advancing women's rights. It is one more biopic. The filmmakers have the guts to put it in theaters right now. Prior to Trial by Fire, I had filmed another show for Prime Video. In 2024, I want to spend a lot of time shooting.
View this post on Instagram
Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.
