Tejasswi Prakash

The Real Deal

Our cover star boasts an extraordinarily multifaceted career, having tapped into movies, daily soaps and reality TV – both as a contestant and a host. Naturally, she's hugely famous. Yet, she reminds you of that popular friend whom everyone feels close to. Perhaps, that is Tejasswi Prakash's USP - she's oh so real! Read along as the actor opens up about her childhood in Mumbai, her experiences on set, and her dream wedding.

Photographs by Tejas Nerurkar; Styled by Sanskriti Sharma; Styling assistance by Simran Kukreja; Makeup by Billy Manik; Hairstyling by Sheetal Khan; Artist Publicist Atul Mishrra; Creative Direction by Arthi Medithi; Co-ordinated by Nadia Malik; Words by Kajol Shah

In 2022, Tejasswi Prakash secured the 8th position in Eastern Eye's list of Top 50 Asian Celebrities in the World for her contribution to Indian media. Of course, the potent combination of talent, beauty and hard work has made her a beloved star. But how does one justify the scale at which the magna is adored? In an era dominated by carefully curated Instagram feeds portraying a coveted lifestyle, authenticity is refreshing. It's precisely this no-façade-attitude that has given her one of the most loyal fanbases in the industry.

Aamchi Mumbai

Dressed in a white shirt, wide-legged jeans and Asics sneakers, Tejasswi embodies the archetype of an easy-going Mumbai girl as she arrives at the studio for our midday shoot. She places her paraphernalia, including a black rubber band and Airpods, in her black quilted Saint Laurent bag while chirpily greeting the team. She’s a through and through Mumbai girl - that's something I concluded after watching her many interviews in the name of research. So, my first question to Tejasswi is about her favourite memory related to the city. After admiring the grand backdrop setup of flowers in gorgeous hues of pink, she steers her attention towards me to answer the question. “Oh, Mumbai is my heartbeat! The city is always buzzing with energy, but then there's also the sukoon of monsoons. My most favourite memory – rather a ritual – is to go on a drive till Marine Drive, eat pizza in the car, and enjoy the rains with my friends. If it stops raining, we get out to enjoy the view at Marine Drive. It's just so blissful.” You see? So relatable!

The city (Mumbai) is always buzzing with energy, but then there's also the sukoon of monsoons. My most favourite memory, rather a ritual, is to go on a drive till Marine Drive, eat pizza in the car, and enjoy the rains with my friends.

Tejasswi Prakash in GT artemis sequin embroidered lehenga and blouse set

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Designer, Amit GT; Necklace, T Jewels

Tejasswi has got me craving vada pav and pakoras in the dead of winter (well, Mumbai's humid version). Anyone who knows the star is not privy to the fact that she loves food and is always open to experimentation. And so, I ask the gastronome to share some lesser-known delicacies of the city that she relishes. As we walk towards the green room so the hair and make-up team can begin their magic, she answers with excitement, “Ah, food is my ultimate love language! I have a long list of food items I feel everyone should try, but to name a few of my favourites – the chicken berry pulao and chocolate mousse at Britannia & Co in Fort, bun maska at Yazdani Bakery, and the chicken tikka and egg curry at Café Mondegar in Colaba are absolute must-haves.” Recalling about her childhood favourites, she tells me, “Having grown up in a Maharashtrian household, I love Malvani cuisine. There's this place called Satkar in Goregaon East that serves the most wholesome and hearty seafood that takes me back to my childhood! But while I enjoy the occasional indulgence, nothing beats a warm, home-cooked meal.” After all this talk of food, you'd think Tejasswi would want a quick grub. But she requests for a green tea instead. That's how you strike a balance, right?

Now that Tejasswi has given me a glimpse into her childhood, I'm curious to know more. Despite her roaring success, the actor has a congenial vibe which instantly makes everyone around her feel comfortable. So I hover around a bit longer while her gorgeous voluminous mane gets styled. Elaborating on her upbringing, she tells me between sips of hot tea, “We lived in a row house, which meant anybody could access our home at any time, unlike gated societies with proper security measures. So, my mother would lock the door from outside once my brother and I were back from school, and she'd have to leave for work. She would do this so it seemed as if there was nobody at home and also so we could not get out of the house.” You and your brother must've been very tight? I ask rhetorically. “I cannot imagine my life without him. Growing up, we'd pull random mischievous antics like prank call people from our landline when we were home alone. At the same time, we've always been there for each other when life gets tough. My family truly is my backbone.” On that heartfelt note, I leave her to get ready for the first shot.

We lived in a row house which meant anybody could access our home at any time, unlike gated societies with proper security measures.

Tesjasswi Prakash in Masumi mewawalla outfit

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Designer, Masumi Mewawalla X Aza;Earrings & bangles, T Jewels;Bracelet, Cartier

Action & Adrenaline

“I'm going to attempt making a reel. Just clap and admire, okay?”, Tejasswi cheekily quips after giving us dreamy shots in a lilac tulle Amit GT lehenga. The room is reverberating with laughter as she gets to it. She's evidently an entertainer. So, what's the trouper's preference - reality TV, movies or daily soaps? “I don't think I will be able to choose! Reality TV keeps me on my toes, movies offer a thrilling ride, and daily soaps immerse me in a whole different world.” Obviously, I want to know what's next on her agenda. “I have some exciting projects lined up! I cannot reveal much just yet but stay tuned. You won't be disappointed.” And with that ambiguous (non)disclosure, she makes a beeline towards the next couture outfit waiting for her in the green room.

A short while later, Tejasswi is now teasing the camera in a sultry navy-blue embroidered jacket and skirt set from Masumi Mewawalla's exclusive collection in collaboration for Aza. Someone from the team observes that the look is giving Taal vibes, and the in-house DJ promptly plays 'Ramta Jogi'. The music, combined with Tejasswi's bewitching presence in the outfit elevates the ambience. I can't help but think she was made to play the lead role in the hit series, Naagin 6, which solidified her status as a versatile actor. When the makeup artist hits pause on the shoot for a quick touch up, I use the opportunity to ask Tejasswi how she approaches playing such unique characters. She exhales to flick the hair strand covering her face before answering, “Tackling these diverse roles is a bit like solving a brainteaser. I like to get into the minds of my characters, exploring their quirks, motivations, and what makes them tick. It's a creatively exhilarating challenge that keeps me on my toes and, honestly, keeps my passion for acting alive.”

Tesjasswi Prakash in Ariyana Couture outfit

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Designer, Ariyana Couture;Necklace, Hetal Shah;Bracelet, Cartier

Khatron has been my most favourite show to be a part of. Being a participant on the show is like taking a course in conquering fears. I also had a wonderful connection with Rohit Shetty and everyone else on set.

Before winning Bigg Boss 15 in 2021, our muse left an impression as a participant in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 10 the previous year. She showcased resilience until the very end when an eye injury abruptly ended her journey on the show. On her experience being on the reality series, Tejasswi tells me, “Khatron has been my most favourite show to be a part of. Being a participant on the show is like taking a course in conquering fears. I also had a wonderful connection with Rohit Shetty and everyone else on set. We'd hang out whenever we had a break - sharing meals and just enjoying each other's company.” My follow-up question to her is about the stunt that had her heart racing the most. “Oh, the bungee jump gave me an adrenaline rush I'll never forget! But since I was one of the captains of the sequence, I tried to see it as a task without thinking of the consequence. I believe that gave me the strength to keep going.” Spoken like a true leader.

There was a moment when one of the paparazzi approached us and shared that every time he captures good shots of us together, he earns a lot of money. And that has enabled him to buy a new phone.

Tesjasswi Prakash in Ridhima Bhasin outfit

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Designer, Ridhima Bhasin;Necklace & bangles, T Jewels

Picture Perfect

Tejasswi is humming 'Tumse Milke Dil Ka' and skimming through the shoot images while sitting on a chair, patiently waiting for the team to switch the shoot backdrop. “Oh my God, this looks like a beautiful portrait!”, she remarks after seeing her picture-perfect shot in a yellow Ridhima Bhasin lehenga. You know what else is picture-perfect? TejRan. For the uninitiated, TejRan is the ship name for Tejasswi and her boyfriend, Karan Kundra, fondly kept by the couple's fans. I grab the opportunity of this free moment to ask the stunner what makes the couple so loved. She blushes as she says, “I believe what truly resonates with our fans is our genuine openness. We don't hide anything; we're out there, sharing our journey, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Our relationship is built on real, raw moments that people can relate to, and I think that's what strikes a chord with everyone. Their unwavering support means the world to us, and we treasure every bit of it. It's this reciprocal love and connection that keeps us going strong!” She recounts the time the couple perceived just how big their influence is. “There was a moment when one of the paparazzi approached us and shared that every time he captures good shots of us together, he earns a lot of money. And that has enabled him to buy a new phone. It is so nice to hear that we're making a positive impact on people.” It's safe to say they're one of India's most sought-after couples, and for good reason!

I'll probably send the invites (wedding) one week before the wedding date. If people can make it, well and good; if they cannot, that is okay too. As long as it's with the right person, nothing else really matters to me.

The gorgeous star is a sight to behold in a shimmery powder blue Seema Gujral lehenga, as dreamy as can get. Continuing the conversation surrounding love, I ask Tejasswi about her vision for her dream wedding and attire. She giggles, “I saw this question coming! To be honest, I've not given this a thought; it hasn't been on my mind at all. Mine is going to be the most unplanned and impromptu wedding. I'll probably send the invites one week before the wedding date. If people can make it, well and good; if they cannot, that is okay too. As long as it's with the right person, nothing else really matters to me.”

Tesjasswi Prakash in Seema Gujral outfit

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Designer, Masumi Mewawalla X Aza;Bracelet, CartierHairband, Cartier

Haters Gonna Hate

We're almost at the end of the shoot, and everyone at the studio is ready to devour the assortment of chips which has just been laid out. Our muse is feeling peckish too. “What are you eating? I also want,”, she tells her manager. Tejasswi stands behind the lens with a casual stance, munching on magic masala chips while the photographer captures a few mock images. Being such an authentic public figure comes with its challenges, especially at a time when free speech is easily misused. How does Tejasswi deal with celebrity trolling in the age of social media, I ask her. “I don't really go through the comments on my posts, whether they're good or bad, so I'm not aware of a lot of trolling that happens. I've come to view it as a part and parcel of being in the spotlight. I treat it like a pesky mosquito - just swat it away and move on. Having said that, it's quite upsetting when people attribute my success to anything apart from my hard work. But my focus will always remain on connecting with those who appreciate and support me.”

Tesjasswi Prakash in Ocean print lehenga outfit

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Designer, Payal & Zinal X Aza;Bangles, Soni Sapphire

We're ready to wrap up after shooting a fun IGTV segment of Tejasswi's 'firsts'. “Hope you guys are happy with the shoot!” she tells the team before warmly hugging everyone goodbye. I slip in one last question about how television stars are perceived in the industry. “The amount of hard work and dedication that goes into creating those daily episodes is often overlooked. I believe TV stars deserve more recognition and respect for their craft.” I concur.

Also Read:Akhanda fame Pragya Jaiswal opens up about working with Salman Khan for a music video, her friendship with Rakulpreet Singh, and her spiritual inclinations with Aza.

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Tejasswi Prakash

Aamchi Mumbai

Action & Adrenaline

Picture Perfect

Haters Gonna Hate

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