From melting hearts with his portrayal of Azhar Akhtar in Fighter to earning praise for his double role as Ali and Abdali in Nagabandham, Rishabh Sawhney has continued to showcase his versatility as an actor. Adding another exciting chapter to his journey, the actor recently turned showstopper at New York Fashion Week, making a mark on the global fashion stage. Now, he has returned to his first love, acting, with a theatre performance that has offered him an opportunity to rediscover his craft and embrace the vulnerability of performing live.
Taking to social media, Rishabh shared snippets from his recent theatrical performance and wrote, ““Trust the process, and trust what we’re creating.”
This is what my director, @shekharkanwat9, told me on the very first day we decided to do this play. And boy, did I trust him with all my heart.
The character I imagined when we first started discussing the play was so different from the one I eventually brought to life on stage. Every conversation with my co-actor, @chhaitannya, every moment we spent getting to know each other, and every discussion we had along the way added new layers, perspectives and depth to our performances. Looking back, I realise just how much the process shaped the final performance.
When I learnt that both my director and co-actor were NSD alumni, and after hearing my director’s vision for the play, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. A big part of that decision was the excitement of learning from them and growing as an actor. I feel incredibly fortunate to have walked away with so much more than I had imagined.
When I first came to Mumbai, my very first day was spent rehearsing a play. And every time I step on stage, I’m reminded of why I fell in love with this craft in the first place. This time, though, it felt a little different. With just two actors carrying a play for over an hour, there was nowhere to hide. I felt everything – the nervousness, the fear, the excitement, the vulnerability of being a student all over again, and above all, the joy of doing what I love most: performing.
To @shekharkanwat9, thank you for your vision, your trust and for allowing me the freedom to discover this character in ways I hadn’t imagined. To @chhaitannya, thank you for every conversation, every exchange and for being such an integral part of this journey. I’ve learnt so much from both of you, and I’ll carry these learnings with me long after the curtains have come down. ❤️
A very special shoutout to @mohitagarwal14. Had it not been for you, I probably wouldn’t have come to Mumbai, met @shekharkanwat9, or discovered how much more I could bring to the stage – including my singing and dancing! Thank you for being the reason so many things fell into place. Love you, baba. ❤️
And finally, to everyone who came to watch the play, cheered for us and shared their love with us – thank you. Putting yourself out there on stage is a deeply personal experience, and having you in that room made it all the more special. Your presence, your encouragement and your applause meant more than I can put into words.
I came into this experience hoping to learn, and I’m walking away with so much more – memories, lessons, new connections, and a renewed love for the craft.
Some experiences remind you not just why you started, but why you must keep going. This was one of them. ❤️”
Rishabh’s reflections offer a glimpse into an actor who continues to challenge himself beyond the screen.
For an actor whose journey continues to span films, fashion and the theatre stage, the experience appears to have been about much more than a performance. It has been a reminder of the passion that brought him to Mumbai in the first place and the importance of continuing to evolve with every role he takes on.
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