Reeva Rachh: The efforts I put into ‘Raam Bharosey’ added karmically to ‘Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate’ | Gujarati Movie News – The Times of India
Reeva Rachh, the rising star of Gujarati cinema, has captured audiences with her compelling performance as Tulsi in Ankit Sakhiya’s ‘Laalo – Krishna Sada Sahaayate.’ The film has earned widespread acclaim not only across Gujarat and India, but also among overseas viewers. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, Reeva opens up about her first reaction to the script, her preparation for the role, her bond with co-star Karan, and the emotional impact the film has had on audiences worldwide.
What was your first reaction when you heard the script of ‘Laalo’ and especially the character of Tulsi?
When I first read the script, I felt, ‘Okay, we have something interesting here.’ There were references provided for Tulsi’s part—the interval sequence and other key moments, so I could visualise how it might look. It really got my acting nerves excited to hop on. Even though I hadn’t met Ankit bhai or the team yet, I could feel the passion through the script, and that energy translated beautifully.
Tulsi seems like an intensely emotional character. How did you prepare to get into her mindset?
I relied heavily on the script. Then came Ankit bhai’s guidance, and our creative director Vicky Joshi’s constant support. And like I’ve always believed, acting is reacting—it’s about action and reaction. A lot of the credit goes to Karan, my co-actor, because he enabled me to give my best.
How was your experience collaborating with director Ankit Sakhiya?
It was wonderful, not just with the director but the whole team. The energy was different: the foggy hills of Girnar, Narayan Swami’s bhajans in the morning, and everyone starting the day with the same thought—let’s make this film.I remember texting my parents after we shot the one-take fight sequence, saying: ‘I’m exhausted but so happy I took this up. I haven’t felt this creatively satisfied in a long time. This tiredness feels sweet, meetho thaak.’Even during our promotions these past three months, I’ve seen how dedicated and focused Ankit bhai is. His passion really inspires me.
Tell us about your experience working with your co-star Karan.
I had a great time working with Karan. He made me feel very comfortable. We met just a day before the shoot, yet we were playing husband and wife. Surprisingly, it took very little time for us to bond. Today, we’re very good friends.
‘Laalo’ deals with strong human emotions. What, according to you, is the heart of the story?
Everyone sees themselves in ‘Laalo.’ When Laalo is stuck in the farmhouse, people see their own life struggles. Prabhu’s conversations with Laala feel like conversations they wish they could have with the divine. For Tulsi too, women relate deeply—whether it’s finances, EMIs, addictions, or family pressures. We all feel stuck at some point, and many of us talk to God, but it’s usually a one-way conversation. In this film, the divine talks back, comforts Laala, and in turn comforts the audience. That’s what touches their hearts.
The film is receiving an exceptional response and is still going strong. How does this success feel personally?
Honestly, it feels like a manifestation coming true. Last year, I had a film called ‘Raam Bharosey’ releasing, and I had this crazy, ambitious dream that it would make 100 crore, a number Gujarati films hadn’t touched. I even kept a wallpaper that said: ‘Raam Bharosey is the first Gujarati film to make 100 crore.’ The film didn’t perform the way I hoped, and I eventually let go of that dream. But now, seeing ‘Laalo’ touch nearly 65 crore and still going houseful in its 7th week, it feels surreal. Maybe the efforts I put into ‘Raam Bharosey’ added karmically to ‘Laalo.’ I just feel grateful. This success feels divine. It doesn’t feel like it’s in our hands anymore; the audience has made the film their own.
Many families are watching ‘Laalo’ together. What does that mean to you as an actor?
When I played Tulsi, I approached her like any other character. But now when women come to me—some tearing up, some saying they’ve lived what Tulsi goes through, I realise the kind of emotional impact the film has created. I never imagined this level of resonance. It’s the first time I’m experiencing this. I think I’ll look at my future characters with a whole new lens. At Manifest Films, our motto is ‘Real People, Real Stories.’ And now, I truly understand what that means.
