Rhea Chakraborty on donning the entrepreneur’s hat: ‘When you’ve been powerless in life, you want to take the reins’

Rhea Chakraborty, known for her roles in films like Jalebi, Chehre, Half Girlfriend, and Sonali Cable, has made a comeback – on her terms. Taking charge of her career, she launched a podcast and fashion label, both named Chapter 2, reflecting her current state of mind.

In an exclusive email interview with indianexpress.com, the actor tells us about this phase of her life, why she decided to don the entrepreneur’s hat, her label, and her renewed enthusiasm about life. Read the edited excerpts below:

Q: Congratulations on your new fashion label. Tell us everything about it, the story behind the name, if you’re involved in the designing, target audience, price range…

Rhea Chakraborty: Thank you very much. Chapter 2––a bold declaration of resilience, reinvention, and the audacity to break barriers––came about after my brother Showik and I felt we were entering a new chapter of our lives. We’ve taken four years to heal and now, finally, there’s a feeling of evolution, and liberation. During my toughest times, my clothes spoke for me—like my “smash the patriarchy” top. They gave me a voice when I couldn’t find my own. What better than making clothes that can resonate with people, we thought.

Hence, the name reflects the fresh start and the brand celebrates change, which people are often scared of. The designs are elevated basics –– true to who you are but standing out because you’re in a different, empowered phase of your life. For example, our acid wash prints, which we’ve named “washed past,” symbolise leaving the past behind and moving forward. We translated this spirit into our collections with our co-founders Harpreet Singh and Jinita Sheth.

Jinita leads the design vision, but we all collaborate on ideas, inspiration, and overall aesthetics. Our designs are gender-fluid and inclusive of all sizes, offering a mix of everyday wear with elevated basics. We focus on quality and affordability. I’m very involved in ensuring our designs make people feel renewed and empowered.

 

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Q: When and why did you decide to don the entrepreneur’s hat?

Rhea Chakraborty: “Entrepreneur” sounds fancy. When you’ve been in helpless and powerless situations, as I did during my trauma years, you naturally want to take the reins. Starting my business felt like the right next step, allowing me to become independent and not rely on anyone for work. I felt a calling to create a community.

Q: Is this actually ‘Chapter 2’ for Rhea Chakraborty?

Rhea Chakraborty: Yes, both professionally and personally. Today marks a new chapter for me because I’ve lived life in a very different way, and now I’m a different person. Fortunately, I have the courage to move on and do new things. While this feels like my chapter two, it also gives me a platform—through the podcast and the label—to express myself, a top priority for me.

Rhea and Showik Chakraborty launched their label on August 14. (PR handout)

Q: What is your style mantra? Do you enjoy fashion or is it something your profession demands?

Rhea Chakraborty: Comfort, comfort, comfort. It is key for me, and I like my clothes to speak for me—how you dress reflects your self-image. I dress for myself, not others, and I feel fashion can uplift your mood. My style often depends on my day, mood, and the phase of life I’m in. I enjoy fashion because I feel like it’s a very beautiful form of expressing who you are.

Q: What does your daily fitness routine look like?

Rhea Chakraborty: I do a lot of yoga and meditate for at least 15 minutes daily. I also play battle tennis, a new sport, three to four times a week. I prefer sports to working out, but I still incorporate weight lifting and strength training into my routine. I enjoy working out because it’s as much for the mind as it is for the body—it boosts dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. I can’t go a day without it.

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