The Inspiring Journey of an Actress, Singer, and Entrepreneur.
Chhavi opens up about how her experiences, from overcoming challenges in Mumbai to fighting breast cancer, have shaped the woman she is today. Her journey is a powerful reflection of dedication, passion, and unwavering persistence. Whether managing family, career, or creative pursuits, she reveals how embracing every role has played a key part in her growth and transformation.
Can you share how your childhood in a musical environment shaped the person you are today?
Growing up in a musical environment not only helped me refine my unique talent but also laid the foundation for the rest of my life. The countless hours of practice, early morning routines, and even the diet restrictions I followed as a child instilled a deep sense of discipline in me.
Starting stage performances at the age of seven made the stage feel like a second home.I truly believe that any form of art has the power to bring out the best in a person, and that’s exactly what music did for me.
It shaped me into a confident, disciplined, and hardworking individual with a soft heart. I’ve learned never to shy away from putting in the effort to achieve my goals, and I owe it all to the way I was nurtured and raised as a singer.
Moving to Mumbai with no industry connections and getting your first acting break—what kept you motivated during this transition?
The biggest motivation for me was having no expectations. When I went for an audition, I didn’t overthink the outcome or put any pressure on myself. Tumhari Disha came as an incredible surprise because I had no prior acting experience and never imagined I could land a coveted title role in a city brimming with talent!
That said, life before Tumhari Disha was anything but easy. Being alone in Mumbai was challenging—I had no friends, and even something as basic as eating was a struggle. I didn’t know how to cook, eating out was expensive, and so was commuting. Most days, I managed just two meals, which eventually took a toll on my health.
Landing my first acting role changed everything. It not only gave me a sense of purpose but also brought me into a community of people who genuinely cared about me. It was a transformative experience that marked the beginning of a beautiful journey.
How do you balance the many roles you play—actor, singer, writer, mother, and more?
Each of these roles is an integral part of who I am. They come so naturally to me that they seamlessly flow into one another. I live and breathe my work, motherhood, and fitness, which is why I never feel the need to consciously balance them—they coexist harmoniously.
The only aspect I struggle to balance is time for socializing, and that remains a constant challenge. Being an early-to-bed, early-to-rise kind of person often limits my ability to connect socially, but it’s a lifestyle that works well for me otherwise.
You’ve worked across various genres in television and films. Which role has been the most memorable for you and why?
I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to take on one memorable role after another. Just when I think I’ve found the most significant role of my career, the next one comes along and surpasses it. This steady upward trend has been incredibly rewarding.
However, if I had to pick a favorite, it would undoubtedly be Shalini from Men… The Real Victims. That role holds a special place in my heart because it was a character I truly brought to life. I was deeply involved in every aspect—dialogues, characterization, and conceptualization. The countless hours I poured into shaping Shalini made the experience profoundly fulfilling.
From reality shows to hosting and acting, you’ve explored diverse formats. What’s been your biggest learning from these experiences?
I’ve learned that growth is a lifelong journey. No matter how much you learn, there is always room for improvement and more to achieve. There will always be someone out there doing it better than you, and that realization keeps me grounded.
Humility, I believe, is essential—it’s what truly defines our humanity. I’ve also come to understand the immense power of human emotions. The way to connect with someone on a deeper level is by striking the right chord in their heart, and that requires empathy and authenticity.
How do you approach challenging roles, and what inspires your creativity as an actor?
I always strive to think from the character’s perspective. I immerse myself in her world—imagining her socio-economic background, the childhood she might have experienced, and the challenges she faces daily. This process helps me shape her personality and truly step into her shoes.
One of the greatest advantages of being in the acting profession is the opportunity to explore multiple characters and don many hats. That’s what keeps me motivated and makes playing each new role so exciting and fulfilling.
Co-founding a digital content company with your husband must be exciting. What inspired you to take this entrepreneurial step?
Our decision stemmed from a shared desire to spend more time with our daughter. TV careers are incredibly demanding, and we realized that the only way to achieve the work-life balance we wanted was to become our own bosses.
In the beginning, navigating the social media business was a steep learning curve—we had to tackle it one platform at a time.
Co-founding SIT has been the most enriching learning experience of my life, and it has also been the one that pushed me to grow the most.The journey is still ongoing, and there’s so much more to explore and achieve.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of creating content for your YouTube channel, and how do you connect with your audience?
The most rewarding part is the instant gratification. Once a video is released, you can see how it’s performing within a few hours. The love and appreciation from the audience are what keep me going.
I want to take this opportunity to share that, even though I was a part of the TV industry for over 15 years before starting SIT, the adulation I’ve received through SIT has been unparalleled. People step out of crowds to hug me and express their love, and that, for me, is the greatest reward of all.
Your memoir, More Than A Mama, is deeply personal. What inspired you to pen down your journey of motherhood?
The book initially began as a chronicle of my second delivery. However, after discussions with my publisher, Rupa, it became clear that it should focus on something that would truly add value to the reader’s life. I decided to share many of my personal experiences during and after pregnancy, offering insights and reflections that could resonate with others.
I wrote multiple drafts during the lockdown and only stopped when I was finally satisfied with the end product. Someday, when I find the time, I would love to write another book about my journey with cancer. But, as with all things, that will happen in its own time.
Fitness and recovery have been a significant part of your story. How has your battle with breast cancer reshaped your outlook on life?
Breast cancer has truly given me a second lease on life. I am a completely different person now compared to who I was before my diagnosis. I now see my life in two distinct phases—before and after cancer.
I’ve never been more devoted to my health or felt more fit. I’ve come to place a greater emphasis on my own wellness than ever before, and most significantly, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of human emotions. Cancer forced me to confront many harsh realities, and it gave me the strength to transform them.
Fitness has become a core part of who I am. I could live in the gym and feel completely content, not needing anything or anyone else in my life.
Through your initiative “Being Woman with Chhavi” and your work with NGOs, what is the message you hope to convey to women and society?
I see myself as just a tiny speck in the vast cosmos. What I truly want is for women to know that if they set their minds to it, they can achieve anything.
As for my charity work, I feel that we’re all leaving behind such immense carbon footprints that no matter what we do, we can never fully compensate for them. That’s why I seize every opportunity to serve nature or humanity in whatever way I can.
What advice would you give to aspiring women who want to embrace multiple passions and roles in their lives?
There’s no harm in wanting to do more. I always say, try it before you write it off. Don’t limit yourself by assuming you can’t juggle multiple roles just because it seems challenging.
And most importantly, stop telling yourself things like “I can’t” or “I don’t have time.” Stop manifesting negative thoughts. Just take action, and you’ll find a way. You’ll realize it’s not as tough as you thought.
