Actress Shivani Raghuvanshi has opened up about her experience working with Kajol in the short film Devi, describing the senior actress as a fascinating performer who effortlessly switches between her playful off-screen personality and intense on-screen presence. During a recent media interaction, Shivani reflected on Kajol's infectious energy, natural expressiveness and ability to bring authenticity to every scene. She also shared her perspective on typecasting in the entertainment industry, explaining how a convincing performance can sometimes make it difficult for casting directors and audiences to imagine an actor in a completely different role. Her candid observations offer an interesting glimpse into the craft of acting and the challenges performers face while building diverse careers.
Talking about her experience of working with Kajol in Devi, Shivani said, “It was fantastic. Actually, I don't think anyone has ever asked me about my experience working with Kajol before. She is a very interesting person. I feel she has this ‘switch on, switch off’ quality—she laughs a lot and loves to have fun. I think she has truly retained that sense of childlike wonder within herself. You know how they say you should never lose the child inside you? That freshness is visible in her screen presence, I believe, simply because she is such a fun person.” Shivani's description highlights the warmth and spontaneity she noticed in Kajol, suggesting that the actress's lively personality contributes to the freshness audiences see in her performances.
Shivani further explained that watching Kajol interact with people around her was an experience in itself, particularly because of the remarkable transformation she displayed once the camera started rolling. “If you watch her—the way she interacts with the crew or her friends—you just find yourself gazing at her for a while. And the moment the camera starts rolling... I don't think she even needs glycerin; she is naturally expressive like that. She is simply phenomenal as an actor,” Shivani said. Her comments underline Kajol's ability to move seamlessly between light-hearted interactions and emotionally charged performances. For an actor sharing the screen with someone so experienced, observing that transition can also offer valuable lessons about instinct, preparation and the importance of staying connected to a character.
The conversation also turned to one of the biggest concerns for actors navigating the entertainment industry: typecasting. Asked about the possibility of being repeatedly offered similar roles, Shivani explained that she believes the problem often begins when audiences and casting directors associate an actor too closely with a particular character. She said, “I think typecasting happens—and I’d like to share my perspective on this—partly because, while I haven't faced it myself (since the characters I’ve played so far are quite distinct from one another), the perception changes when you repeatedly play a certain type of role.” According to Shivani, a performance that feels completely convincing can sometimes blur the line between the actor and the character in the minds of viewers, making it harder for people to imagine the performer in a different setting.
Elaborating on the challenges faced by actors who do not have an established personal connection with casting directors, Shivani explained that their first impression often comes entirely from their work on screen. “If a casting director doesn't know you personally, and you deliver a performance so convincing that they assume you are just like that character in real life... it’s not just them; even the audience reacts that way. When you do something completely different, they’re shocked—like, ‘Wow, they did something so unexpected.’ So, if you're an outsider and no one knows you personally, their first introduction is to your character, not to you. It can be difficult for them to envision you in different roles—which is both a good thing and a bad thing. Because if you’re a good actor, you should get the opportunity to do all kinds of work, and you should be capable of doing it, too.” Her perspective highlights the double-edged nature of a memorable performance: while it can establish an actor's credibility, it can also create expectations that limit opportunities to explore unfamiliar characters.
Shivani Raghuvanshi has built a reputation for choosing varied projects across films and streaming platforms. Her performances in Titli, Made in Heaven, Raat Akeli Hai, Murder in Mahim, Zindaginama and Dupahiya have showcased different aspects of her acting range. She has steadily carved out a space for herself through characters that move beyond conventional expectations, making her observations about typecasting particularly relevant. She is currently enjoying the success of Dupahiya Season 2, further adding to her growing body of work across formats.
Meanwhile, Devi remains a notable project in Shivani's career, bringing together an ensemble of acclaimed performers under the direction of first-time filmmaker Priyanka Banerjee. Produced by Niranjan Iyengar and Ryan Ivan Stephen under Electric Apples Entertainment, the suspense drama features Kajol and Shruti Haasan in their first digital project, alongside Neha Dhupia, Neena Kulkarni, Mukta Barve, Yashaswini Dayama, Sandhya Mhatre and Rama Joshi. The film follows nine women from different social backgrounds who find themselves forced into a shared space, where their experiences of abuse connect them in unexpected ways. Shivani's reflections on Kajol and the wider challenges of acting bring fresh attention to a project that explores complex human experiences while highlighting the power of expressive performances.