Raashii Khanna (born November 30, 1990) is an Indian actress and playback singer who works primarily in the Telugu and Tamil film industries. She made her acting debut in a supporting role in the Hindi film Madras Cafe (2013), and then as a female lead in the Telugu film Oohalu Gusagusalade (2014), Imaikkaa Nodigal (2018), and Villain (2018). (2017).
She has appeared in several commercially successful films, including Bengal Tiger (2015), Supreme (2016), Jai Lava Kusa (2017), Tholi Prema (2018), Imaikkaa Nodigal (2018), Venky Mama (2019), Prati Roju Pandage (2019), Thiruchitrambalam (2022), and Sardar (2022), and has established herself as one of Telugu and Tamil cinema's leading actresses. Khanna has also performed a few film songs.
Early years
Khanna was born in Delhi on November 30, 1990. She attended St. Mark's Senior Secondary Public School in Delhi and earned a Bachelor of Arts with honours in English from Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi.
Khanna claims she was an academic standout who was a nerd throughout her school and college years. Khanna wanted to be a singer when she was younger, but as she grew older, she became more interested in studying and aspired to become an IAS officer. Khanna claims that she had no interest in modelling and had no plans to become an actress, and that she became an actress by chance. She tried her hand at copywriting for advertisements during her college days before venturing into acting in various advertisements prior to films.
Telugu cinema's career debut and rise (2013–2015)
Khanna made her screen debut in the 2013 Hindi political spy thriller film Madras Cafe, directed by Shoojit Sircar, as Ruby Singh, the wife of an Indian intelligence officer played by John Abraham, who was also the producer. She had to go through acting classes before taking on the role. Most Indian critics praised the film, particularly its story and direction. Khanna "makes an impact in a brief but significant appearance," according to NDTV's Saibal Chatterjee, in his review of the film. Madras Cafe was a box-office success, grossing over 100 crore.
Impressed by her performance in Madras Cafe, actor Srinivas Avasarala approached her for the female lead role in his directorial debut Oohalu Gusagusalade, which also starred himself and Naga Shaurya, which she signed in late October 2013 after considering many other south films, adding that the scope of performing convinced her to sign the film. When approached for narration, Khanna initially thought it would be more of a dancing role with little acting scope, but she found her character in nearly every scene in the film. She described her character, Prabhavati, as a grey, stubborn, and arrogant girl, but in a lovable way, and claimed that she was nothing like her in real life, except for the fact that she is from Delhi. Khanna confirmed in early April 2014 that she played a minor role in the Telugu film Manam, which was released in theatres before Oohalu Gusagusalade. Critics gave Oohalu Gusagusalade positive reviews, and Khanna received praise for her work. The Hindu's Sangeetha Devi Dundoo called her a "actor with potential," while The Times of India's Hemanth Kumar said she gave a "commendable" performance that helped the film to some extent. At the box office, the film was a commercial success.
Khanna at the Madras Cafe First Look Launch
Joru, directed by Kumar Nagendra and starring Sundeep Kishan, was her next Telugu film after Madras Cafe and while she was filming Oohalu Gusagusalade. She played Annapurna, a "modern yet traditional" girl who "is highly emotional and cries at the drop of a hat," which Khanna described as the polar opposite of the character of Prabhavati she played in her previous film. Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu stated that she provides solace along with Kishan, Brahmanandam and Saptagiri in a film which was "let down by incoherent writing and amateurish execution". Joru was a financial flop at the box office.
Jil, directed by Radha Krishna Kumar and starring Gopichand, was Khanna's next project, which she signed in early July 2014 after the producers approached her based on her performance in Oohalu Gusagusalade. The critics gave the film mixed reviews. She was cast in the film Shivam with Ram Pothineni in early May 2015. The film received mixed reviews from critics and did poorly at the box office.
Success and expansion into other languages (2015–present)
Bengal Tiger, directed by Sampath Nandi and starring Ravi Teja, was her next film. The film received mixed reviews at the box office but was a commercial success. It grossed $405 million (US$5.1 million) worldwide, making it the eighth highest-grossing Telugu film of 2015.
Supreme, in which she co-starred with Sai Dharam Tej, was a commercial success in 2016, with critics praising her comic timing as Bellam Sridevi, a cop who gets herself into hilarious situations. Her next film, Hyper, starring Ram Pothineni for the second time, received mixed reviews and grossed an average amount at the box office.
Khanna's year in 2018
Her first film, Jai Lava Kusa, starring opposite N. T. Rama Rao Jr., was released in 2017 and was a box office success, grossing more than 100 crore. Later, she made her Malayalam debut in Villain, directed by B. Unnikrishnan and starring Mohanlal and Vishal, in which she played a cop. The film received positive reviews, with critics praising her performance as a tough, investigating cop, and it did well at the box office. Her most recent release in 2017 was Oxygen, her second collaboration with Gopichand, which opened to mixed reviews and went on to gross an average amount at the box office. Touch Chesi Chudu, her second collaboration with Ravi Teja, was her first release in 2018. Despite a lot of hype leading up to its release, the film received mixed to negative reviews and failed at the box office. Within a week, her next release was Tholi Prema, which starred Varun Tej and received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike, with critics hailing her performance as Varsha as her best ever, as well as the chemistry between the lead pair. Her next film, Srinivasa Kalyanam, starring Nithiin and directed by National Award winner Satish Vegesna, received mixed reviews, but the chemistry between the lead pair was praised. Her next film was the multi-starrer Imaikkaa Nodigal, which marked her debut in Tamil cinema and received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with critics praising her performance as a girl-next-door character. It was also a commercial success at the box office. Adanga Maru, her next Tamil release, starred Jayam Ravi and received positive reviews from critics as well as commercial success at the box office.
Her first release in 2019 was Ayogya, which starred Vishal and was an official remake of the 2015 Telugu hit Temper, which received generally positive reviews from both audiences and critics. The film did extremely well at the box office. Her next film, Sangathamizhan, starring Vijay Sethupathi, received mixed reviews, but Khanna was praised for her performance. She had two releases in December 2019, Venky Mama opposite Naga Chaitanya and Venkatesh, which received mixed reviews, and Prati Roju Pandage, her second collaboration with Sai Dharam Tej, which received generally positive reviews, with critics praising her comic timing in her performance as "Angel" Aarna, a highly self-obsessed girl from Rajahmundry. Both films grossed a lot of money at the box office.
Her only release in 2020 was World Famous Lover, which she co-starred in with Vijay Deverakonda and received mixed reviews and performed poorly at the box office.
Tughlaq Durbar, her second collaboration with Vijay Sethupathi, was released in 2021. The film avoided a theatrical release in favour of a direct television premiere prior to an OTT release. The critics gave the film mixed reviews. Khanna had two films released in October 2021. Bhramam, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, had a direct OTT release only in India and an overseas theatrical release. The film was a Malayalam remake of the Hindi film Andhadhun, which was released in 2018. The film received mostly favourable reviews from critics. In the same month, she appeared in Aranmanai 3 alongside Arya. Despite receiving mixed to negative reviews from critics, the film was a box office success.
Rudra: The Edge of Darkness, starring Ajay Devgn, was Khanna's first release in 2022, and it also marked her digital streaming debut. It is based on the British television show Luther. The web series premiered to rave reviews from critics. Khanna had two releases in July 2022. Pakka Commercial, her third collaboration with Gopichand, was the first release. When it was released, the film received mixed reviews from critics. Thank You, her second collaboration with Naga Chaitanya, was released the following month. When the film was released, it received mixed to negative reviews, but Khanna's performance as a "mature and stifled woman" was praised. Both films performed poorly at the box office. Thiruchitrambalam, starring Dhanush, was her next release in August 2022. The film received positive reviews upon its initial release, with critics praising the cast's performances. Thiruchitrambalam became a box-office success, grossing more than 100 crore globally. Sardar, starring Karthi, was her next release in October. When it was released, the film received rave reviews from both audiences and critics. Sardar went on to become Khanna's second 100 crore worldwide grosser in the same calendar year.
Farzi, directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K. of The Family Man fame, was Khanna's first release in 2023, alongside Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi. The series began to receive mostly positive reviews from critics.
Projects in the works
Khanna is currently filming Yodha, a Hindi film starring Sidharth Malhotra, in February 2023. Khanna has also agreed to star in a Telugu film with Sharwanand, tentatively titled Sharwanand33 by the film's production company.
Shaitan Ka Bachcha, in which she co-stars with Siddharth, is set to be released soon.
| Year | Title | Role(s) | language (s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Madras Cafe | Ruby Singh | Hindi | |
| 2014 | Manam | Prema | Telugu | Cameo appearance |
| Oohalu Gusagusalade | Sri Sai Sirisha Prabhavati | Telugu | ||
| Joru | Annapoorna | Telugu | ||
| 2015 | Jil | Savithri | Telugu | |
| Shivam | Tanu | Telugu | ||
| Bengal Tiger | Shraddha | Telugu | ||
| 2016 | Supreme | Bellam Sridevi | Telugu | |
| Hyper | Bhanumathi | Telugu | ||
| 2017 | Jai Lava Kusa | Priya | Telugu | |
| Raja the Great | Herself | Telugu | Special appearance in the song "Tummeda" | |
| Villain | Harshitha Chopra | Malayalam | ||
| Oxygen | Shruti | Telugu | ||
| 2018 | Touch Chesi Chudu | Pushpa | Telugu | |
| Tholi Prema | Varsha | Telugu | ||
| Srinivasa Kalyanam | Rudraraju Sridevi a.k.a. Sri | Telugu | ||
| Imaikkaa Nodigal | Krithika "Krithi" Rao | Tamil | ||
| Adanga Maru | Anitha | Tamil | ||
| 2019 | Ayogya | Sindhu | Tamil | |
| Sangathamizhan | Kamalini | Tamil | ||
| Venky Mama | Harika | Telugu | ||
| Prati Roju Pandage | "Angel" Aarna | Telugu | ||
| 2020 | World Famous Lover | Yamini | Telugu | |
| 2021 | Tughlaq Durbar | Kamakshika | Tamil | |
| Bhramam | Anna Simon | Malayalam | ||
| Aranmanai 3 | Jyothi | Tamil | ||
| 2022 | Pakka Commercial | Lawyer Jhansi | Telugu | |
| Thank You | Priya | Telugu | ||
| Thiruchitrambalam | Anusha | Tamil | ||
| Sardar | Shalini | Tamil | ||
| 2023 | Yodha | TBA | Hindi | Filming |
| Year | Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Rudra – The Edge of Darkness | Dr. Aliyah Choksi |
| 2023 | Farzi | Megha Vyas |
| Year | Film | Song | Music director | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Joru | "Joru" | Bheems Ceciroleo | Telugu | Theme song |
| 2017 | Villain | "Villain Theme" | 4 Musics | Malayalam | |
| Balakrishnudu | "Raashi Thariraa" | Mani Sharma | Telugu | ||
| Jawaan | "Bangaru" | S. Thaman | Telugu | ||
| 2019 | Oorantha Anukuntunnaru | "Kanna" | K. M. Radha Krishnan | Telugu | Reprise version |
| Prati Roju Pandage | "You Are My High" | S. Thaman | Telugu |
| Year | Award | Category | Language(s) | Film(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Producers Guild Film Awards | Best Debut Actress | Hindi | Madras Cafe | Nominated |
| Best Actress in Supporting Role | Nominated | ||||
| 2015 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Female Debut (Telugu) | Telugu | Oohalu Gusagusalade | Won |
| CineMAA Awards | Best Female Debut | Won | |||
| 2016 | Zee Telugu Apsara Awards | Most Glamorous Diva of the Year | ——— | Won | |
| 2017 | TSR TV9 National Film Awards | Best Actor (Female) | Jai Lava Kusa | Won | |
| 2019 | Zee Cine Awards Telugu | Entertainer of the Year | Tholi Prema | Won | |
| 2021 | South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Actress – Telugu | Prati Roju Pandage | Nominated |
| Bio | |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actress |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters- 168 cm in meters- 1.68 m in Feet Inches- 5’ 6” |
| Weight (approx.) | in Kilograms- 57 kg in Pounds- 126 lbs |
| Figure Measurements | 34-28-34 |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 30 November 1990 |
| Age (as in 2018) | 32 Years |
| Birth Place | New Delhi, India |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign | Sagittarius |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | New Delhi, India |
| School | St. Mark's Senior Secondary Public School, Delhi |
| College | Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi |
| Educational Qualification | B.A. in English |
| Debut | Film: Madras Cafe (2013, Bollywood) Oohalu Gusagusalade (2014, Telugu) Shaitan Ka Bachcha (2017, Tamil) Villain (2017, Malayalam) |
| Family | Father- Raj K. Khanna (Worked at Metro Sales Corp.) Mother- Sarita Khanna Brother- Raunaq Khanna (Elder) Sister- N/A |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Address | Palam Vihar, Gurugram, Haryana |
| Hobbies | Singing, poetry, reading, travelling |
| Favourite Things | |
| Favourite Food | Lebanese & Chinese cuisine |
| Favourite Actors | Shah Rukh Khan, Mahesh Babu, Ranbir Kapoor |
| Favourite Actress | Madhuri Dixit, Priyanka Chopra |
| Favourite Films | Bollywood: Khoobsurat Telugu: Bommarilu |
| Favourite Songs | Telugu: "Em Sandehum ledu" from the film Oohalu Gusagusalade (2014), Guvva Gorinkatho from the film Subramanyam For Sale (2015) Hindi: Zara Zara from the film Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein (2001) |
| Favourite Colour | White |
| Favourite Book | Only Love Is Real by Brian Weiss |
| Favourite Perfume | Midnight Poison by Christian Dior |
| Favourite Fashion Designer | Sabyasachi Mukherji |
| Favourite Restaurant | N Grill in Hyderabad |
| Favourite Destination | South Spain |
| Boys, Affairs and More | |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Husband/Spouse | N/A |
| Money Factor | |
| Salary (approx.) | 25-30 Lakh/film (INR) |
| Net Worth | Not Known |
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