Talking about her childhood, Raavee says, “Growing up, my father was simply Papa to us. We never really understood the stature he had outside our home because he never carried himself like a celebrity. Our childhood was filled with ordinary family moments—playing games together, spending quality time, and just being a regular family. It was only much later that I realised how respected and admired he was in the industry.”
She adds, “He was always just Dad to me. We didn’t grow up thinking about his fame or what people thought of him. I only started realising how well-known he was when we’d attend family weddings and people would be more interested in taking pictures with him than even the bride and groom. That’s when it slowly dawned on me how much people admired him.”
When asked about her fondest childhood memories with her father, Raavee says, “It’s impossible to pick just one because I have thousands of wonderful memories with him. Most of them revolve around the time we spent together as a family. We played carrom, cards, and we still enjoy playing rummy with three decks. Those simple moments of togetherness are what I cherish the most.”
For Raavee, one of the biggest lessons she has learned from her father is the importance of staying committed to one’s craft. She says, “The biggest lesson I’ve learned from him is his unwavering passion for his craft. He simply cannot sit idle. Even during the lockdown, when no one was working and he wasn’t particularly comfortable with technology, he taught himself how to shoot videos and kept reading poems online. Watching his dedication has taught me that you must always keep learning, keep working, and give your best, no matter the circumstances.”
While she grew up around the world of acting, Raavee says becoming an actor was not something she had planned from the beginning. Her journey happened quite organically.
“Although I grew up around the world of acting, my journey happened very organically. I was actually a very shy child and never thought I was capable of becoming an actor. I started modelling in college after being encouraged because of my height, and from there I got a portfolio done. An acting audition came through my coordinator, and I decided to give it a shot. I genuinely enjoyed the process, and that’s how acting found me,” she shares.
Raavee admits that her father may have always hoped that she would become an actor, but she never really relied on his guidance while starting out. “Yes, I agree somewhere he always dreamt that his daughter would become an actor. But because I was so shy, I never really gave him a chance to guide me. In fact, he didn’t even know I had auditioned for my first television show. He only found out when I was leaving for the shoot. He was surprised, but incredibly happy.”
Interestingly, even before her first acting assignment, Rajendra Gupta did not get an opportunity to give his daughter any advice. “He didn’t really get the chance to give me advice before my first assignment because he didn’t even know I had signed the show. I had already auditioned, been selected, and accepted the project before telling him. Most of what I’ve learned from him has come through observation rather than direct advice,” she says.
Being the daughter of a celebrated actor also means carrying a surname that comes with its own expectations. Raavee acknowledges the responsibility that comes with the Gupta name but says she has always wanted her work to speak for itself.
“As I’ve grown older, I’ve become much more aware of the legacy I come from, and I take that responsibility seriously. It motivates me to stay honest in my efforts and always put my best foot forward. While the surname carries respect, I believe the real responsibility is to live up to it through sincerity and hard work.”
She further explains why she initially chose not to introduce herself as Rajendra Gupta’s daughter. “One reason I never introduced myself as Rajendra Gupta’s daughter in the beginning was because I didn’t want people to judge me based on his reputation or compare me with someone as accomplished and professionally trained as him. I wanted opportunities based on my own abilities. Today, I don’t mind people knowing I’m his daughter because it’s simply a matter of familiarity and respect, but I still believe my work should speak for itself.”
For Raavee, building an identity of her own has always been important. “I never wanted work because of my father’s name. I wanted to earn it through my own capabilities. Today, I’m proud to be his daughter and proud of the legacy I come from, but I also want people to recognise me for the honesty and dedication I bring to my own work.”
She also describes her father as both her biggest supporter and her strongest critic. One of the most memorable professional experiences for her was sharing the stage with him in a Hindi play, where they played father and daughter.
“My father is my biggest cheerleader as well as my biggest critic. One of the most enriching experiences of my life was doing a Hindi play with him where we played father and daughter. Those six months were like attending the ‘Rajendra Gupta School of Drama.’ I learned so much from working alongside him, and that experience shaped me immensely as an actor.”
Reflecting on the experience, Raavee says working alongside her father transformed her understanding of the craft. “Performing alongside him in that play was an incredible learning curve. Watching his discipline, honesty, and complete commitment to every performance taught me what it truly means to respect the craft. Those lessons continue to influence me every time I step in front of the camera or onto a stage.”
