For Rashami Desai 2024 was a learning experience. “There have been a lot of ups and downs in the last year and I faced a lot of personal challenges, so I was working on myself,” says the actor, adding, “Due to travelling, I faced some severe gut issues which were neglected and later became a bit severe. I should have actually acknowledged it at the time but while working, you tend push things aside. As a result, I developed food allergies, so I have to cautious about what I eat.”

Starting the new year with a bang, she is looking forward to 2025 with excitement. “My Gujarati film, Mom Tane Nahi Samjay, will release soon and there are a couple of good projects lined up too. I would like to tell my Hindi audiences to come and watch the film as it has an amazing story. Though I was offered the role of a mother, and initially, I refused but after hearing the story, I knew I had to do it. I took up the mum’s role (in the Gujarati film) as it is dumdaar.”

She recalls her previous role as a mother and adds, “When I played a mum in (TV show) Uttaran, I had faced consequences as one gets labelled quickly in the industry. I played the role of Tapasya, who has a daughter, but people began seeing me as a mum and didn’t understand that I was playing a character. It took me a little while to change the perception and get rid of the label. I am not against playing a mum on screen but getting typecast is a hindrance. Yet that has not stopped me from picking roles when I really love the script.”

The actor has “interesting roles and amazing projects” lined up this year including a Hindi film and a web show, but also admits that there have been some long gaps in her career due to lack of good work. 

Talking about it, Desai says, “In the recent years, I have not been offered projects that excite me. From the ones offered, I wouldn’t like anything. I have tried to do experimental roles as well but while the script is interesting, what falters is the execution which isn’t up to the mark. I learnt the hard way to say no to bad work and wait patiently. Kuch bhi karne se achcha toh kuch mat karo. Mujhe achcha kaam karna hai. Money is very important but I’ve never worked for money. I am waiting for good work, with a capable director and good content. In between, I did Bigg Boss too but then the pandemic happened which led to a long gap between projects. So many people would meet me and say, ‘Aap kitna acha kaam karte ho. Aap ke saath kaam karna hai’ but nothing would materialise. It would be just talk.”

The actor has been the face of many popular TV shows but isn’t happy with the current content on the small screen. She says, “I strongly feel that on TV the current phase will continue for a while. Nothing is working on television. So many creators are trying different concepts but so many shows are shutting shop within three months. Writers are creating good stories, directors are pushing for their vision and actors are giving their best but there is something amiss and that’s why its not connecting (with the audience). TV par choti choti cheezen important hai, sab emotions highlight hote hain. It’s all about details.”