Artist Rashi Mal Strives To Escape One-Dimensional Representation Of Women

Oozing with multiple talents and a profound passion for her craft, Rashi Mal is Indian cinema’s next big sensation to watch out for. As a trained musician, dancer, and versatile actor, she defied the ordinary path to emerge as an indomitable artist, captivating audiences with her unparalleled charisma. In her latest EP, Rashionality Ch. 1, including three songs—Yoon Hi, Chalo, and Naariyan— Mal muses on the intricacies of love, but not the typical kind. “Yoon Hi is about romantic love and all things beautiful about that; Chalo is a love letter to the self, for those moments when you're feeling down, and you have to give yourself some tough love; and Naariyan is my love letter to women,” Mal told SheThePeople in an exclusive interview.

A strong advocate for women's empowerment, the enchanting musician said, "The song Naariyan is meant to be a reminder for women to remember their power and strength. It is also an honour to all those strong women who came before, who have fought the good fight for us to be able to live the lives that we do today."

Art For Women

Not just music, Rashi Mal wants all her artistic endeavours to be a celebration of womanhood. As an emerging actor, she feels a deep responsibility to represent women in ways that delve deeper into their minds. "I have always been irked by the portrayal as either a bitch or a bechari (helpless)," Mal expressed.

"Growing up, we have all been influenced by this one-dimensional representation and we judge other, real women based on it. We think, 'Oh, she wears short clothes and has a drink so she must be characterless.' Those are not conscious decisions that we're making, we're programmed to think like that. It always makes me think that this has so much to do with how women are portrayed in media."

Mal described that she strives to break this stereotypical representation and portray raw characters that strike a natural chord with the audience. With a graceful stride onto the silver screen, she is carving a path that diverges from the conventional black-and-white portrayals by breathing life into authentic characters that resonate with real women.

Mal says that the most influential woman in her life is her mother, who pursued engineering at a time when there were hardly five other women in her class. "She is one of the most intelligent and resilient people I have ever met," Mal said, describing that her mother never fails to "remind me of my own strength, my own power, and my own goodness."

Mal's Journey: From Engineering To Art

Growing up in Mumbai, Rashi Mal's fascination with performance art was influenced by the rich cinema and art culture she experienced around her. Following in the footsteps of her family who pursued more conventional careers, she grabbed a degree in engineering. However, her eyes were set on a more creative endeavour. 

As a professional musician and actor, Mal's portfolio flaunts her work in music and theatre from some of the world's most esteemed institutes and stages. She made her way on screen with advertisements and then a television breakthrough with the 2013 Hindi drama series Paanch: 5 Wrong Make A Right, on Channel [V]. 

Mal is best known for her roles in Helicopter Eela (2018), Brahmastra (2022), and the revered film Sir (2018). Some of her most celebrated musical pursuits include the Hindi song Misaal, Paradigm in English, and the soundtrack Buri Buri in the film Dear Maya (2017). 

Challenges And Struggles

As Mal was the first person in her family to pursue an artistic career, they struggled to grasp the depth and complexities of her chosen path. She narrated, "At first they didn't understand what I was doing. They are always there for me, they have my back. But it's so different from the life that anybody else has that they can wrap their head around this."

Mal continued, "Being an artist comes with a lot of rejection, and you are the only person who can see the vision that you have for your life and your art. There are moments when you will not be strong, and that's when you have to have a strong support system around you, whether it's your family, friends, self-help books or podcasts. You need to surround yourself with optimism."

Speaking about the nuances of her career beyond the glamour and glitz, Mal said, "I think that one of the biggest challenges is that this life is not structured, not knowing what tomorrow is going to look like. For someone who is a control freak, the uncertainty is hard to make peace with. But over time, I've realised that you can plan and plan and plan, but life will happen. So you need to have a little amount of surrender and be a little more fluid."

Despite the unique struggles and unpredictability of her career, Rashi Mal remains resolute in her dedication. With each project she undertakes, she aims to challenge stereotypes and empower women to embrace their strengths and uniqueness. Her journey is a reflection of a deep passion for creativity and a commitment to making a difference in the world through her art.