From making her debut with Titli to winning hearts as Jazz in Made in Heaven, Shivani Raghuvanshi has carved a space for herself in the entertainment industry. In an exclusive conversation with Filmfare, the actress opens up about returning as Roshni Jha in Dupahiya, her experience of working with Gajraj Rao and Zoya Akhtar, the challenges of being an outsider and the actors and filmmakers on her wishlist.
What excited you the most about returning as Roshni Jha in Dupahiya season 2?
The familiarity with my character, the village and the setting. Sometimes, when you watch a show after its release, you realise that you could have approached certain scenes differently. But you don’t always get another chance. With a new season, you get the opportunity to explore the character further and improve certain aspects of your performance. That was exciting for me because I felt there was more I could do with Roshni.
She was living in her own bubble while everyone around her was dealing with their own struggles. Towards the end of the first season, she received a reality check and realised that life had more meaning beyond appearances.
Of course, someone’s personality cannot completely change in six months. She’s still the same person in many ways, but she has started understanding that being pretty isn’t enough. She needs to prove that she’s capable of much more. This season, she’s struggling with those realisations, which makes her character more layered.
How was your experience working with Gajraj Rao and the rest of the cast?It was probably the most fun set I’ve ever been on. People often ask us how it feels to work with someone as senior and talented as Gajraj Rao sir. But he never makes you feel that pressure.
He’s so young at heart that sometimes I would ask him, “Aap itna halla kyu kar rahe hain?” He makes everyone feel comfortable and loved. He’s like a father figure and a friend at the same time.
He also guides you and suggests different ways of approaching a scene. I genuinely feel he’s the glue that holds the entire cast and crew together.
Who was your go-to person on set?
I had two go-to people, depending on my mood. If I wanted to discuss something serious, I would go to Renuka ma’am. But if I wanted to have fun, play badminton, gossip or simply chill, Sparsh was my person. The atmosphere was extremely easygoing, and there wasn’t any unnecessary sense of hierarchy.
When did you first realise that you wanted to become an actor?
I had that realisation much earlier, probably when I was in seventh or eighth standard. There was always a slight urge to be part of the entertainment industry. But I was extremely shy and didn’t have the confidence to perform on stage.
I was fascinated by how films were made. I would wonder how people created stories and brought them to life. Sometimes, I thought I might become a director because I enjoyed imagining stories.
I chose science because I genuinely enjoyed studying it, not because I wanted to build a career in that field. My father wanted me to complete my graduation before moving to Bombay, so that’s what I did.
Was it difficult to convince your parents to let you pursue acting?
Thankfully, it didn’t take much convincing. After my 12th standard, I told my father that I wanted to be part of the film industry. I wasn’t necessarily thinking about acting. I was also interested in fashion designing and direction.
My father suggested that I complete my graduation first because we didn’t know anyone in Bombay. During college, I started saving money by working at events whenever I didn’t have laboratory classes. I wanted to be financially prepared before moving.
How did you land your first film, Titli?
During my second year of college, I auditioned for a Vodafone commercial and got selected. It was my first audition, and honestly, it was terrible! I had never faced a camera before and kept asking the casting director where I was supposed to look.
Later, while finishing college, I received a call about auditions for Titli. I went without expecting much. I hadn’t taken acting classes or worked on my craft, but the makers probably liked a certain rawness in my performance.
I was shortlisted and called to Bombay for workshops. There were two or three other people being considered. I wasn’t taking it very seriously initially, but throughout the process, I started learning and improving. Eventually, I got the film.
You haven’t undergone formal acting training. Do you think learning through experience works better for you?
Most of my performances have been instinctive. I prepare my lines and work on the physical and mental aspects of a character, but once I’m on set, I prefer letting things happen naturally.
I completely respect trained actors like Naseeruddin Shah and Manoj Bajpayee. Their command over the craft is incredible. Maybe someday I’ll pursue formal training too.
However, I also feel that working with experienced actors is a form of training. When I worked with Vijay Raaz, he would offer suggestions about approaching scenes differently. Those experiences teach you a lot. So, in a way, I’m learning on the job.
As an outsider, what has been your biggest challenge in the industry?
I think the biggest challenge is not having a support system. Many outsiders have succeeded, including Shah Rukh Khan, Jackie Shroff and Govinda. If you get an opportunity and perform well, audiences recognise and appreciate you.
But people from film families have a stronger support system. They’ve watched their families experience success and failure, so they’re mentally prepared for the industry’s unpredictability.
As an outsider, you don’t always know how to deal with those situations. I remember being extremely upset when one of my projects didn’t do well. I wondered whether I would get work again. You hear that you’re only as good as your last project, and that uncertainty can be difficult.
Have you ever lost out on a role because you didn’t fit the conventional Bollywood heroine image?
I haven’t really had the opportunity to audition for conventional heroine roles. The only film I remember auditioning for was Laal Singh Chaddha. They were looking for someone who could portray a younger version of Rupa and eventually show her growing older. Later, Kareena ma’am came on board.
Apart from that, I don’t remember auditioning for a big, conventional heroine role.
Have you ever rejected a project because you weren’t comfortable with the character?
I’ve turned down quite a few scripts, but mostly because I didn’t find the story convincing or couldn’t relate to it. I’m quite selective about my work.
It’s not that I don’t receive offers, but I don’t necessarily want to do everything that comes my way. For me, the script needs to connect with me.
Which role would you consider the turning point in your career?
I think playing Jazz in Made in Heaven was the turning point for me.
How was your experience of working with Zoya Akhtar on Made in Heaven?
Zoya is genuinely a brilliant director. She can party with you until four in the morning and still arrive on set at seven with complete command over everything.
What makes her special is how deeply she understands her characters. If you’re confused about a scene, she doesn’t simply explain what happened previously. She tells you what the character is feeling, where those emotions come from and what motivates their actions.
She’s incredibly empathetic and understands interpersonal relationships beautifully.
Initially, I was quite intimidated by her. I even told her I was scared of her. When I called her ma’am, she immediately asked me to call her Zoya. She’s extremely fun, intelligent and wonderful to work with.
Which filmmakers are on your wishlist?
Imtiaz Ali and Farhan Akhtar are definitely on my wishlist. Farhan has been my producer, but I would love to be directed by him.
I’ve always admired Imtiaz’s films. I watched Socha Na Tha several times and absolutely loved it. It’s such a sweet film. Of course, there’s Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal, but Socha Na Tha has always been special to me.
I also loved Amar Singh Chamkila. I admire the different kinds of stories he tells, and I’ve always wanted to create that kind of romance on screen.
Are there any actors you would love to share the screen with?
I would love to work with Ranveer Singh. He’s a phenomenal actor, and the energy he brings is incredible.
I’d also love to work with Vicky Kaushal. I’ve known him since our early days because Masaan and Titli came out around the same time. We attended roundtables and did magazine covers together.
Watching his journey has been wonderful. I was particularly impressed by his performance in Sam Bahadur and how beautifully he captured the character’s mannerisms.
We haven’t met in a while, though. I think the last time I saw him was at Zoya’s party a couple of years ago.
