Actress Chitrashi Rawat, best known for her role as Komal Chautala in the film Chak De! India, was a hockey player before becoming an actor. Recounting the time when she signed the film, she says, “When I got the offer to be a part of Chak De! India, I was busy focusing on my studies and hockey. The film became a big hit and people started recognizing me everywhere. Then, I slowly started getting more work and I got into acting. After that, it was difficult for me to practice hockey.”

Happy with the performance of the Indian women’s hockey team at the Tokyo Olympics, she says, “It’s the first time in history that women’s team reached the semi-finals, that says a lot about how far we have come. Plus, with the help of sponsorship, our team is also getting recognition, which was the need of the hour. I am happy to see that people in the sports fraternity feel it’s high time that we focus on other sports, too.”

Chitrashi also shares one thought that struck her recently during the Olympics. She says, “Vandana Kataria is one of our hockey players, and back then, she and I have played together. I feel so good that she is representing India. And seeing her, a thought crossed my mind that if I had continued playing hockey, perhaps I, too, might have represented my country at the Olympics as one of the strikers... I don’t know, it’s just a sweet thought.”

While hockey will always hold a special place in her heart, she is also happy being in front of the camera. “I have been working continuously, but some people might feel that I took a break because I don’t promote myself too much. My last TV show was Shankar Jaikishan, and post that, I have shot for films, web shows and now I am part of a comedy show. I have also been doing commercial theatre for the last five years,” she signs off.

After four years, Chak De girl Chitrashi Rawat has finally decided to move on from her bitter experience on television. The actress, who had stepped into Kavita Kaushik's shoes in FIR, had to exit the show unceremoniously. While the incident left Chitrashi wary of the small screen for some time, she is back in action now. Chitrashi will be seen as one of the three female leads in Shankar Jai Kisan 3 In 1, a story revolving around triplets.

She says, “Apart from a guest appearance on Tu Mera Hero, I stayed away from TV after my bad experience on FIR. It's challenging to replace someone, that too, someone who has been associated with a show for seven years. Though I got positive feedback for my character, I was suddenly told that my track wasn't working and hence, they were replacing me. It's another matter that despite bringing back the original heroine, the show wrapped up some time later. Kavita did a fabulous job, but FIR had run its course by that time. I was very disappointed and even toyed with the idea of taking the matter to court, but finally decided against it. It has taken me four years to make up my mind and return to TV. I have now realised that TV works differently and actors don't have much of a say. It's always the producer or the broadcaster who calls the shot. And if an actor tries to voice his opinion, he is usually alienated.“

The actress will play a dominating judo expert in her next venture, which might remind viewers of her tough girl avatars in the film Chak De! India and FIR. Ask her if she feels typecast on TV and she replies, “To an extent, it may be true. However, I cannot see myself play a sari-clad bahu anyway. That won't go well with my personality. In addition to that, I am a little biased towards sport-based projects since I am a sportsperson myself.“