Truly Unstoppable

Poetess by the night, actor by the day, this Bengali belle is nothing short of surprises.

By Mrinalini Singh · Apr 2019 · 9 min read

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Starting her career as a VJ, Rhea Chakraborty has delivered out-of-the-box movies such as Mere Dad Ki Maruti, Half Girlfriend, and the recent, Jalebi. She's been in the spotlight since she was a teenager, and now she's all set to show us her Rheality. Edited Excerpts.

You’re the child of an Army officer, and we’re sure while growing up you must have travelled a lot in India. Any favourite childhood memory you’d like to share with us?

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Being an Army officer’s child has been the most amazing experience growing up because I got to travel to so many different places and meet so many new people. The best part about it is having so many new friends in each city and see India and understanding the culture. But, my most exciting childhood memory was that whenever we would leave a house behind and move to a different city, my brother and I would write “Rhea was here” and “Showik was here” on the walls, and now in hindsight, I really cherish those memories.

You’ve been in the spotlight for so many years, starting from MTV to now pursuing acting, how has the journey been so far?

The journey has been amazing. It’s been a rollercoaster ride as they call it. However, it’s also been quite challenging, rough at times, but fun mostly. What I have started to realise now is that I really enjoy the journey. I really enjoy being a part of every new film and every new project and I also enjoy the struggles, the highs and the lows. I feel like once uncertainty becomes a part of your bloodstream and your DNA, then as an actor you’re sorted and you can be a “lambi race ka ghoda” as you call it. So, uncertainty is definitely the boy I’m sleeping with for the rest of my life.

You were the first runner-up in the MTV India's show. Do you feel that being a part of the beauty pageant world altered your career perspective?

I don’t think being a part of the MTV show altered my career perspective as much as it gave me a new career opportunity. Before that, I had no clue that I wanted to act or I wanted to be on television. I was studying to be an engineer, which obviously didn’t work out. But, it definitely showed me that there’s another side, and that side is driven purely on who I am as a person, and it really got me connected to who I have become as a person today, so I want to thank MTV for that.

Your debut as an actor was in the Telugu film industry and you went on to work in the Hindi Film industry as well. How is the work culture different in the two industries? Were you able to transition effortlessly?

I think work is work and every film set is unique and different in its own way irrespective of the language. Hindi is a language that I speak, and I do think that other than the Telugu language being new to me, I didn't come across anything different per se. Other than that there was really no transition and I really enjoyed and do enjoy working in both the industries equally well. It’s about the people, the directors and the actors which ultimately shape the film and make the journey so fun.

Your love for fitness is quite evident with your kickboxing and aerial silk videos. Is living a healthy life and eating right engraved in your lifestyle permanently?

Yes, I love working out. It’s more about the dopamine and endorphin, the rush that comes post a good workout regimen. I feel sad the days I can’t sweat it out. So, yes, I'm trying to work out as much as I can and it has become a part of my daily routine. Eating healthy is a bit tough for me as I am a big foodie and I love pizzas and burgers and all kinds of fatty foods, but I try and eat healthy. I crave home-cooked food and I really enjoy eating with my family.

We’ve stalked you enough on social media to know you’re a water baby. Our question to you is, how do you maintain such an enviable beach body?

This body doesn’t maintain itself, I really have to workout hard so that I can eat my heart out. I think that over the years I've started enjoying being fit and strong internally versus just looking the part. I believe when your goal becomes real in terms of strength and your body starts looking better, you tend to pursue it as a lifestyle. Earlier I used to go to the gym just to get abs, but now I go to the gym so that I can do one extra push up and one extra pull up and challenge myself every day. But, yes, of course, the abs that come with working out are an exciting part of the journey.

In a country where women are despised for exposing too much skin, how important do you think is body positivity and embracing your real self?

I believe India has come a long way from what it used to be for women, but I still think we have a long way to go. Being body positive and embracing your true body and yourself is crucial. As a woman, the way people look at you is secondary, but how you look at yourself is more important. It has taken me a long time to get to the place where I’m comfortable with being a certain size or shape. There were times when being an actor was tough, that one ended up being harsh on themselves to look a certain way. This has changed for me over time and I really hope that all women out there can love themselves and accept themselves just the way they are. If there is something that they can do to be healthier like going to the gym or eating right, then it’s great. If it’s not the case, then just living a healthy life will get you to the body you want and make you feel happier anyway.

In your last movie Jalebi, you worked with Mahesh Bhatt, who is very famous for his eccentric ways. How was working with him? Did it transform the way you work as an actor?

I would definitely like to believe that Bhatt Saab has changed me not just as an actor but as a human being. I think that the teaching and the learning I got just by watching his life through the journey of Jalebi has taught me to be a better person, to be a more realistic, and to just not live life in the future, but live it in the present. He’s given me a lot in terms of life lessons and not just film lessons. Yes, I have definitely changed as an actor and hopefully, have evolved as well.

Have you ever considered branching out into something different in the field of entertainment, for instance directing or screenwriting?

I love writing. I write a lot of poetry and I’ve been doing that since I was a kid. I am actually writing one or two scripts, which have not seen the light of the day yet but hopefully, someday I would love to write a few nice movies.

Do you think actors today feel much more pressured to stay relevant online?

I really think it’s a lot more pressure to stay relevant online today. It’s become quite a big deal and I feel so because everyone makes so much noise about who they are, what they do, where they are, and where they are eating. That pressure is remarkably high, but at the same time, I think that I have found a balance where I know I’m putting out something that I truly am. I try to keep my virtual image really close to who I am. In that disparity, not getting lost is the key, and if you can find that, Instagram is definitely a beautiful place to be.

What’s your take on social media trolls? How do you handle all the criticism that comes your way?

I honestly don’t handle the criticism from social media trolls. I just purely ignore them. In fact, I find them quite funny and hilarious. I do think that there was a time when it used to bother me, but now I feel they’re just faceless people who have nothing better to do.

You have next to flawless skin. Is there a beauty regimen that you follow religiously?

I use coconut oil morning and night on not just my face but my whole body. I also drink coconut oil empty stomach and that has really changed my skin over the years. Other than that, rose water and lots of home remedies work well for me. I don't like to use a lot of chemical products because I feel it ages your skin. And of course, I drink a lot of water.

Your personality exudes positive energy. What we want to know is, have you ever used your innocent looks to get away with something?

All the time. To skip lines, to skip queues at the airport, to get people to do things. But, not in an evil way, you can call it white lies.

What is that one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I really enjoy talking about politics, and I can have endless chats with my dad.

You’re a really beautiful girl, and we’re sure a lot of handsome men out there would die for your attention. But, what’s the most romantic gesture someone has ever done for you?

I told a boy once that I used to love riding my scooty back in school, and I really miss doing that in Bombay. Later, he got me his friend’s scooty under my building and told me, “Here, let’s go for a ride on this,” and I think it was really sweet.

In the future, if you fall in love with someone who doesn’t live in India, would you be able to shift outside for the love of your life and quit your work?

I feel today people can live in different places and work from different places and still be in love. It would totally depend on the guy and him being the love of my life really. But, I wouldn’t quit my work for sure. If shifting to a new place allowed me to continue doing my work from there, then I would consider it. But I would definitely propose him to come to India or move here because that can be done too, right?

How was your experience shooting for the FHM cover? Did you have fun?

I had a wonderful time shooting for the FHM cover. I think the entire team was amazing and everyone was really positive and really into it. We did a fun, flirty shoot and yes, I think I’m really looking forward to everyone seeing these pictures.

Tell us about your future plans for the year. Any special project that’s going to release in the coming days?

Something really special is coming up, but I will let my director and producer announce it first because that’s how it works.

Quick Favourites

Ice Cream Flavour: Butterscotch
Movie: Godfather Part II
Band or Music Artist: Jim Morrison
Vacation Spot: Maldives
Type of workout: Functional training
Piece of clothing in your wardrobe: My five-year-old ripped jeans

Rapid Fire

If you had a superpower, what would it be? To be invisible. That way I could do many things. Like robbing a bank and become super rich
What are you watching on Netflix right now? Delhi Crime
Your biggest pet peeve? Fake people
Who’s your celebrity girl crush? Malaika Arora
Online shopping or shopping in a store? Shopping in the store. I like to touch and feel the garment
The last song you heard? Wannabe by Spice Girls
Food you crave most often? French Fries