Actress Raashii Khanna is currently celebrating the success of her latest film, 120 Bahadur, which released in theatres on November 21 and starred Farhan Akhtar in the titular role. Amidst the film’s positive reception, Raashii spoke candidly in a recent interview with a media portal about an ongoing debate in the film industry—the objectification of women in cinema—and shared an emotional moment with veteran actress Rekha.

Raashii Khanna opens up on objectification of women in south cinema and shares Rekha's emotional reaction to 120 Bahadur

Raashii Khanna opens up on objectification of women in south cinema and shares Rekha’s emotional reaction to 120 Bahadur

Raashii on the Objectification of Women in Cinema

Discussing the portrayal of women in South Indian films, Raashii emphasized the importance of personal comfort in choosing roles. She told Zoom, “It was very important for me to feel comfortable with what I was doing. If I felt a line was being crossed or I might come across as cheap, I would say no. Every actor has their own comfort zone, and I don’t judge anyone else’s choice.”

She added that the issue is not limited to South cinema. “It’s not just a South thing; I see it in the North quite a lot as well. It ultimately depends on the actor’s choice. Some are comfortable with certain portrayals, some are not. I have done many commercial films in the South, and I feel ready to take a step forward in Hindi cinema and explore content-driven roles. I’m okay doing commercial films, but I also have limits. Every actor’s limit is different, and that defines who they are.”

Rekha’s Emotional Response to 120 Bahadur

Raashii also recounted a special moment with legendary actress Rekha after she watched 120 Bahadur. She said, “Rekha ji had tears in her eyes while watching the film. I asked her, ‘Can I hug you?’ and she replied, ‘No, can I hug you?’ She hugged me and told Farhan sir, while I was there, how my character touched her in the final scene and made her emotional. She stayed moved for a long time. When someone like her appreciates your work in that way, it feels like I may have done something right. That is the kind of validation I seek—from peers, seniors, and the audience. I felt truly fulfilled that night.”

120 Bahadur was directed by Razneesh Ghai and has been widely praised for its storytelling and performances, with Raashii Khanna’s portrayal receiving special mention for its depth and emotional impact.

Also Read: Raashii Khanna gets candid on working with Jr NTR, Dhanush and other south actors: “They taught me everything”