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Sarika Raghwa on Chai With Ilachi: From Miss Manali to Web Series, Bollywood TV Serials and Acting Struggles

  • Sep 11, 2025
  • 3 min read

When I invited Sarika Raghwa to my podcast Chai With Ilachi, I knew her story would strike a chord with anyone dreaming of making it in the Indian entertainment industry. She is not just a model-turned-actress, but also a fighter who navigated through language barriers, family resistance, the casting couch, and the harsh realities of show business.



Her career covers it all—beauty pageants, modeling, OTT web series, Hindi TV serials, Telugu films, Bollywood music videos, and feature films. In this episode, I explore her journey in depth, offering a raw and real look into what it takes to survive in Mumbai’s entertainment world.


Sarika Raghwa’s Early Journey – From Miss Manali to Modeling and Films

Sarika began her journey when she won the title of Miss Manali in Chandigarh, which gave her visibility as a model. But she didn’t stop at the ramp. In 2017, she moved to Mumbai to pursue acting and landed her first break with a T-Series film project.

She also acted in two Telugu films, learning the language from scratch—an inspiring example of dedication and adaptability.


Web Series Breakthrough: Virgin Boys on ULLU


Her OTT web series debut came with Virgin Boys on the ULLU App, where she played Aahana, a lead character that brought her recognition among the growing digital streaming audience in India. The series gave her visibility and helped her break into the acting space beyond modeling.


Television Career: Hindi Serials and Mythological Roles

Sarika entered mainstream Indian television with Baalveer Returns on SAB TV in 2020. She went on to feature in Sony TV’s Vignaharta Ganesha, taking on a challenging mythological role, and later became a part of popular Hindi serials like Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali and Sasural Simar Ka 2.

Her career also included appearances in the music video Lage Na Mon and the film Poison (2022). With every role, she showed her versatility across TV dramas, OTT web series, music videos, and films.


Why I Invited Sarika Raghwa on Chai With Ilachi

My podcast Chai With Ilachi celebrates real stories of perseverance, passion, and growth. Sarika’s story reflects all three. From winning a beauty pageant to working in Bollywood TV shows, web series, and regional films, she represents the struggles and triumphs of outsiders who enter the entertainment industry without a godfather.

She openly shared her experiences with rejection, exploitation, casting couch realities, and viral controversies, making this conversation honest, unfiltered, and relatable.


Episode Timestamps with Keywords

  • 6:17 – From Miss Manali to Modeling in Chandigarh and Mumbai

  • 11:57 – The Breakthrough Acting Role with T-Series and Telugu Films

  • 12:34 – Struggles of Outsiders in Bollywood and Indian Television

  • 18:18 – Casting Couch in the Entertainment Industry and Lowest Phases of Career

  • 31:48 – Misled into an ULLU Web Series: The Dark Side of Digital Platforms

  • 37:35 – Viral Controversy in Indian Media: When Fame Turns Against You

  • 49:39 – Boundaries Crossed in Bollywood and Lessons Learned as an Actress


Why This Episode Matters to Aspiring Actors and Viewers

As a creator, my goal with Chai With Ilachi is to give my audience more than entertainment. Every episode is about insights into Bollywood auditions, acting struggles, outsider journeys, web series opportunities, TV serial rejections, and music video fame.

Sarika Raghwa’s journey stands as proof that success comes through resilience. Whether you are dreaming of acting in Bollywood films, Indian TV serials, or digital web series, her story is both cautionary and inspiring.


Watch and Listen: Sarika Raghwa on Chai With Ilachi

The full episode with Sarika is now live:


If you want to know what it really takes to survive the Bollywood industry, Indian television serials, and digital streaming world, this conversation is a must-watch.


About Chai With Ilachi

Through Chai With Ilachi, I feature actors, models, singers, filmmakers, and creators who share their real experiences with the industry. From auditions, rejections, and casting couch stories to breakthrough moments in Bollywood and television, this podcast gives you the insider’s view you won’t find anywhere else.


If you want to discover authentic stories from the entertainment industry in Mumbai, Bollywood, Indian web series, and Hindi television, this is the podcast you’ll want to follow.

 

 

 
 
 

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