Rashami Desai, the feisty star of Bigg Boss 13 and Uttaran, has come a long way from her roots in Assam. Few fans realize that the name echoing across Indian homes isn’t her birth name. This is the intriguing story of how she shed Shivani and Divya to embrace Rashami, propelling her from obscurity to spotlight.
Born on February 13, 1986, in Nagaon to Gujarati parents, Shivani dreamed of acting. Entering the industry, she heeded advice to rename herself Divya for auspicious vibes. Early gigs followed, but breakthroughs didn’t. Work stalled, frustration mounted. Enter a astrologer friend’s wisdom: another name change. Thus, Rashami Desai was born, heralding a career renaissance.
Forgoing TV initially, Rashami dove into films. Her 2002 Assamese debut ‘Kanyadaan’ was just the start. Bhojpuri cinema welcomed her warmly; she became a leading lady, commanding premium paychecks from eager filmmakers.
The small screen breakthrough came via ‘Uttaran’ on Colors, where Rashami’s portrayal of the antagonistic Tapasya won millions of admirers. The character’s name ironically outlived her real-life aliases in public memory.
Subsequent successes included ‘Dil Se Dil Tak,’ ‘Naagin,’ and ‘Ishq Ka Rang Safed.’ Reality shows like ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ tested her limits, while ‘Bigg Boss 13’ laid bare her life’s raw edges—heartbreaks, battles, and triumphs. Rashami’s journey underscores the power of reinvention, proving that sometimes, a new name is the key to unlocking stardom.