Rita Jhawar is an actress, model and classical pianist. She was recently interviewed by Famo Celebrity Magazine and below is the Q&A session we had with her.
Introduction – Can you tell us a bit about your yourself?
Rita is a dynamic multi-disciplinary talent — a woman of resilience, ironclad commitment, and lifelong learning. A distinguished Chartered Accountant by qualification, she has established herself as a respected leader in the real estate sector and an inspiring public speaker.
Her artistic journey is equally remarkable. Rita is an acclaimed actress, model, and classical pianist who has received national and international recognition for her exceptional performances. Her notable works include:
- Notes to a Lover from Jenny Adam and Her Beautiful Family
- Death of Spring
- Dreams and Rhapsody of God
- Jom Duare Romoni Kotha
- Grassan / L’Oscurità del Dio Sole
- Mohakaal o Kaalkut
- Naisargik Sabdo / Ponte Verso l’Eternità
- Glorious Dead
A visionary entrepreneur, she is the Co-Founder of NEZ Group and NEZ Moving Pixels, and serves as the Chairperson of the NEZ International Film Festival, where she continues to champion global artistic excellence.
Rita stands today as a rising international talent — an artist, leader, and trailblazer whose work transcends boundaries and inspires communities across the world.
Personal Background – Can you share a little experience about your Upbringing and Early Life?
I was born into a middle-class family as the sixth child. During the Partition of India in 1947, my father relinquished his well-established business in Pakistan and relocated to India, rebuilding life from the ground up. Ours was a simple yet value-driven family that deeply believed in integrity, commitment, hard work, and the pursuit of quality education.
As a child, I was both affectionate and assertive — pampered yet determined. I nurtured a keen interest in academics alongside a strong passion for outdoor sports, particularly cricket and badminton. My fascination with lawn tennis began while watching Wimbledon on television — a sport I eventually took up much later in life. I was also drawn to music early on; I often visited my landlady’s home to watch her play the piano. Though our modest home could not accommodate one then, the seed of that passion stayed alive and blossomed about ten years ago when I began learning and playing Western classical piano.
Following my graduation, I pursued Chartered Accountancy and completed my articleship with the internationally renowned audit firm, Price Waterhouse. Upon qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, I joined a private enterprise and rose through the ranks to serve as Group President and Director, overseeing the company’s Eastern India operations and building construction division.
My upbringing under parents who were both disciplined and liberal instilled in me independence, resilience, and a forward-looking mindset. These values have shaped me into a decisive and committed professional with a “never say no” attitude — guided by honesty, composure, and an unwavering dedication to excellence in all pursuits.
Career and Achievements – What do you consider the Highlights of your Career so far?
My career has been immensely fulfilling, yet I continue to seek new horizons. As William Wordsworth’s timeless lines remind me, “Miles to go before I sleep,” I am driven by an enduring desire to grow, contribute, and create.
A Chartered Accountant by profession, I rose within my organisation from Manager to Group President & Director and currently head the Eastern India Business. Fourteen years ago, along with my mentor and internationally acclaimed filmmaker and storyteller, Mr. Sudeep Ranjan Sarkar, I co-founded NEZ Moving Pixels and the NEZ Foundation. Under our banner, we have produced 12 feature films and several short films, many of which have earned global recognition and international awards.
In 2019, I ventured into acting—an artistic pursuit close to my heart. I have since acted in eight feature films, with five receiving multiple awards and three currently in post-production. I feel honoured to have received the Best Actress Award for my silent, black-and-white film Notes to a Lover from Jenny Adam and Her Beautiful Family, shot entirely on an iPhone XS. I am also recognised by the London Book of World Records for acting in five feature films shot on smartphones.
Through the NEZ Foundation, we curate two film festivals:
- NEZ International Film Festival – now in its 11th year, celebrating independent filmmakers in an uncluttered, inclusive, and filmmaker-friendly environment.
- NEZ Magic Lantern Film Festival – dedicated exclusively to European cinema.
In addition to my work in cinema, I have participated in pageants, walked the runway, and represented several brands. I am currently preparing for my debut Piano Concert scheduled for April 2026, a new creative milestone in my journey.
Rooted in passion, discipline, integrity, and a commitment to excellence, I continue to explore diverse avenues that enrich both my professional and artistic life.
Challenges and Growth – What are some of the Challenges you’ve faced in your Career, and how did you Overcome them?
I have always been drawn to roles that challenge me and compel me to explore lives far removed from my own. These characters not only deepen my craft but also enrich me as a human being. Acting allows me to live many lives within one, and two such transformative roles have been Jenny Adam and Death of Spring.
Jenny Adam was a defining milestone for me. The character—a frail, elderly, wheelchair-bound woman—was the exact opposite of who I am in real life. As a fitness enthusiast with an active lifestyle, portraying someone so distant from my own identity was both demanding and deeply fulfilling. I remain profoundly grateful to my Director and Mentor Sudeep Ranjan Sarkar Sir, who believed in me for this role.
What made the experience even more remarkable was that it was a completely silent film. With no dialogues to lean on, I had to express every emotion through my eyes and facial expressions within a restricted 2×2 ft frame. It was a rare opportunity to push my craft to its purest form.
My role in “Death of Spring”, shot extensively in France, offered a different yet equally enriching challenge. In this English film with limited dialogue, I portrayed a corporate woman who faces bankruptcy—a character layered with vulnerability and quiet strength. One unexpected challenge was learning to smoke for the role, despite being a complete non-smoker. To maintain authenticity, my Director insisted I practise smoking so the act appeared natural on screen. Embracing this discomfort helped me grow further as an actor.
Both these roles reaffirm my belief that true artistic evolution happens when we step outside our comfort zone. These performances are not merely characters I played—they are experiences that shaped me, strengthened me, and reminded me why I love the craft of acting so deeply.
Passions and Hobbies – What are your Interests and Hobbies outside of your Career?
Acting and piano are my true passions. I have a wide range of interests that keep me creatively inspired and physically energized. I am an avid reader and a keen admirer of cinema, always eager to explore stories that move and challenge me. As a regular yoga practitioner and swimming enthusiast, I strongly believe in nurturing a healthy mind–body balance.
Music remains a deep source of joy for me, and I love immersing myself in diverse genres that uplift my spirit. Most recently, I have taken up photography in the old-fashioned way — using a point-and-shoot and an SLR camera. In a world driven by instant gratification and mobile clicks, this form of photography teaches me patience and heightens my understanding of light and shadow.
I also have a profound love for travel and exploration. Adventure sports are on my horizon, and I aspire to experience bungee jumping, skywalks, and skydiving — all of which sit proudly at the top of my bucket list.
Milestones and Future Goals – What are some of the Milestones you hope to Achieve in the coming years?
The work I have done so far has been deeply fulfilling, yet the words “Miles to go before I sleep” continue to inspire me to strive further. I have never worked for recognition — I work purely from my heart, driven by the love of the craft. As an artist, I aspire to portray diverse characters, whether big or small, as long as they nourish my creative spirit. I also hope to represent meaningful brands, both in India and across the world.
My heart lies in acting and in the piano. With immense gratitude, I look forward to my piano debut in Kolkata in 2026, and I hope it marks the beginning of many more performances and concerts ahead.
Through our Film Festival, we aim to create an ecosystem where traditional cinema and new-format cinema can coexist and thrive. We are committed to building a sustainable alternative distribution system for independent films, empowering them to grow, sustain, and continually nurture new talent.
Beyond my artistic pursuits, I hold a dream close to my heart — to build an integrated space that brings compassion, care, and purpose together: an animal shelter, an old-age home, and an orphanage within one compound. I truly believe that our elders carry immense wisdom, strength, and skills that can uplift younger generations. By bringing them together — along with animals who offer unconditional love — I envision a community where everyone can coexist, heal, learn, and grow.
This journey has been meaningful, and the road ahead is long — but with faith, dedication, and grace, I hope to continue walking it with sincerity and purpose.
Life Lessons – What is the most Valuable Lesson you’ve learned in your Life or Career?
Travel Light, Live Light. Think Light. Spread Light.
Advice for Aspiring Artists – What advice would you give to Young Artists looking to make a Mark in the Industry?
Acting — or for that matter, any art form — is a Sadhana ( a hindi word) a journey of disciplined, devoted, and soulful practice. It is something that can only be pursued with passion, honesty, and consistency. We should never chase name, fame, recognition, or money — for these are merely by-products of true dedication.
An artist’s path is not always smooth. It comes with rejection, humiliation, and moments of deep struggle. But it is in these very moments that we grow stronger, more grounded, and more connected to our art.
True art does not seek instant results or quick glorification. Those who look for instant success can never become true artists. History has immortalized the names of many who gave their entire lives to their art, yet remained unrecognized during their lifetime — but they never gave up.
There are countless actors who began their journey as background artists, waiting for years for that one small opportunity. Some rose to the highest peaks of recognition, earning awards and global acclaim, while many others never received a single award. But both are artists — because art is not measured by trophies, but by truth, perseverance, and love.
Love your art deeply. Live for it. Let it be your truest relationship — one that gives you purpose and peace. Your only competition is with yourself, and your only reward is the joy of creation itself.
Rapid-Fire Round:
*Favorite Book?
Power of subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy
*Favorite Movie Name?
The Perfect Days by Wim Wenders
*One word to describe yourself?
Hard Working
*If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
Ludwig van Beethoven
*Favorite travel destination?
Holland
In the Last, what are your Social Media Platform Links?
Facebook: Rita Jhawar
Instagram: @rita_jhawar
Youtube : Rita Cosmic Jhawar
