Ragini Khanna, a well-known face in the television industry, has been away from the small screen for quite some time. However, her work in shows like “Sasural Genda Phool” and “Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi” continues to be appreciated. Recently, in an exclusive conversation, she reflected on her journey, career struggles, and family relationships.
She took a trip down memory lane, recalling her childhood spent at her maternal grandmother’s house. “We used to spend every evening at my nani’s house. Had to meet Sunita Maami every evening as a child,” she shared. However, as her career took off, she lost touch with her family. Ragini admitted that work consumed her life, leaving no time for personal relationships. “When I started my career, total disconnect. We played in the building while growing up, but after getting busy with my career, we became strangers,” she explained. She barely had time to sleep, let alone meet her cousins. She missed important family events, including weddings in Punjab and those of her friends.
The actress spoke about how her career was always her top priority. When asked if she regretted putting her work above her personal life, she firmly responded, “Not one. I’m super proud of my career.” She reminisced about her early days in the industry, sharing that she worked on over a hundred ad films before making her television debut. Her portfolio extended beyond India, as she also did commercials in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
While discussing television’s impact, she opened up about its demanding nature and the effect it had on her health. She revealed that during the peak of her career, she was working non-stop. “These days, every channel has exclusive contracts, so an actor cannot jump networks now. But when I joined television, there was no such thing as exclusivity. So, 24 days were blocked for my daily soap, and the remaining 6 days were for Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa or India’s Best Dramebaaz, so I was working 30 days a month.” The workload was intense, and the hours were relentless. She shared, it was a 9 to 9 shift. On top of that, if there was any award show or Star Plus’s programs, then the rehearsal for them would start at 10:30 in the night and continue till 4 in the morning.
Her role as Suhana Kashyap in “Sasural Genda Phool” made her a household name. With success came greater responsibilities. “And because Suhana was very popular, Suhana was needed in every activity. In every PR activity, you need Suhana because it’s a flagship show. So, these are the flip sides of a lot of success also,” she noted. The continuous hustle took a toll on her well-being. She admitted that exhaustion overshadowed everything. “If you are the highest-rated show on television, then you have to go through the grind. It took a toll on my physical health as well as my mental health. It’s not that I was depressive; I was too tired. My meals were not on time. I suffered heavily from gastroentriti.”
The demanding schedule affected her lifestyle, and over time, she realized the importance of self-care. Now, she has turned to homeopathic therapy, which has improved her health significantly. She acknowledged its benefits, stating that it has helped her both physically and mentally.
Despite stepping away from television, Ragini remains a cherished name in the industry. Her journey, filled with struggles and triumphs, highlights the sacrifices actors make to entertain audiences. Though she may not be on-screen frequently, her impact remains strong, and her fans continue to celebrate her work.