100 not out : Richisha Gulati’s masterstroke in ad world

Mumbai—Known for its bustling film and television industry, Mumbai has seen the rise of many aspiring actors. Richisha Gulati stands out among them, not only for her impressive journey from being an anchor in Delhi to a burgeoning actor but also for her remarkable milestone of featuring in over 100 ads.

Richisha's transition to Mumbai’s entertainment world was swift. She arrived with no prior acting experience but carried the confidence honed as an anchor in Delhi. "Facing the camera and learning my lines came naturally to me," she recalls. This initial self-assurance, coupled with beginner’s luck, landed her a role in the web series Jamai 2.0

 within a month, where she worked with established names like Ravi Dubey, Achint Kaur, and Nia Sharma. "It was a dream come true," she reflects on her early break.

However, success was not a straight path. Richisha soon faced a series of rejections, a harsh reality of the acting world. "Initially, it was tough to handle rejections. It felt like interviewing every day and constantly hearing, 'We'll let you know.' Even when you get a part, it’s often short-term, and you're back to auditioning," she shares.

Perseverance paid off as Richisha began to secure significant roles in advertising. Her big break came with a McCain's commercial featuring Karishma Kapoor. "Working and dancing with Karishma was wonderful," she recalls. Despite many peers having done 100 ads in a shorter span, Richisha values her personal milestones. "My competition is with myself, not with them," she asserts.

One standout experience has been her role in the Everest Masala ad with Chef Ranveer Brar, which has been running in theatres for the past year. "My friends often tease me, saying, 'So many heroes and heroines come and go, but you’ve been there on big screen for a year!'" she laughs.

Richisha also cherishes her time on the Dulux Paint ad set with director Gauri Shinde and actress Mrunal Thakur. "Initially, I was so nervous, but within ten minutes, they made me feel like part of a girl gang," she fondly remembers. Another memorable moment was shooting an ad with Akshay Kumar. "I told him I was a journalist and had interviewed him for *Joker*. He quipped, 'Now I know why it failed at the box office.' Working with stars in ads might sideline you, but you learn so much."

One of her proudest moments came when posters of a bread brand featuring her were displayed throughout her neighborhood in Delhi. "Seeing the proud look on my parents' faces when they saw those posters was priceless," she says. "Every general store in the area had a hoarding of me, and their happiness was indescribable."

Looking ahead, Richisha has numerous ads awaiting release in the coming months. Additionally, her short film Entanglement, featuring Harleen Sethi and Harman Singha, directed by Yashaswini Nath, is also set to debut soon and you will soon see her in ad with none other than Taapsee pannu

Richisha Gulati’s journey underscores the importance of resilience and self-belief. Each audition, role, and rejection has shaped her as an actor. She continues to navigate the industry's complexities, celebrating each achievement and eagerly anticipating future successes.