Rashami Desai Returns to TV After Eight Years: ‘I Was Looking for a Purpose’

After staying away from fiction television for nearly eight years, actress Rashami Desai is set to return to the small screen with the upcoming show Sayoneee. The actress says she was not looking for a conventional comeback but was waiting for a role that gave her a sense of purpose as an artist.

Desai revealed that she had received several offers during her time away from fiction but chose not to accept them because she did not feel a strong connection with either the stories or the characters.

Her decision changed with Sayoneee, in which she plays Maya, a character she describes as practical and grounded.

“Maya is not just a character or an imagination. She is a very practical character that I am going to play in Sayoneee,” Desai said.

The actress added that while opportunities continued to come her way, she preferred to wait for a project that genuinely resonated with her.

“Every artist wants to play a character that is beautifully written,” she said, explaining that she was not interested in returning simply for visibility or financial reasons.

“I wasn’t looking for a comeback on television; I was looking for a purpose,” Desai said. “You should do something that people remember you for, and that’s what I am known for. Sayoneee has that spark. I feel the story is bigger than the artists themselves.”

Sayoneee is scheduled to premiere on September 23 on Star Plus and JioHotstar.

Desai began her Hindi television career with Raavan in 2006 and gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Tapasya in the popular series Uttaran. Over the years, she has also appeared in reality shows including Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 6, Zara Nachke Dikha 2 and Nach Baliye 7.

She also made a special appearance in Salman Khan-starrer Dabangg 2.

Her most recent television appearance was in Wagle Ki Duniya – Nayi Peedhi Naye Kissey, a series based on characters created by cartoonist R.K. Laxman, including the iconic Common Man.

With Sayoneee, Desai is returning to fiction television after a long gap, this time with a character she says was strong enough to make her wait worthwhile.