Prachi Tehlan: Delhi is love, Mumbai is where I grew, Kochi is where I found balance

Social media might be scrolling through the highlights of 2016, but for Prachi Tehlan , it wasn’t just another year – it was when she stepped into the spotlight, making her acting debut in the TV serial Diya Aur Baati Hum . In a recent post, the actress told her fans she has now completed a decade in the industry. Looking back, she says, “I feel I have lived a whole era in these 10 years.”

‘Delhi is home, Mumbai & Kochi helped me grow’Starting with TV and moving into south Indian cinema, Prachi now works across Hindi and regional industries. While Delhi remains home, she credits Mumbai and Kochi for her professional growth. “Mumbai was where I grew professionally, but life there was fast and intense. After the lockdown, I realised how important it is, especially in a creative field, to focus on your own journey instead of constantly comparing yourself to others. Kochi drew me in with its slower pace. After travelling for auditions and events, I feel the need to return there. That’s where I’ve found balance,” says the actress.

‘It’s been a wholesome journey over the past decade’Reflecting on the past decade, Prachi says, “Coming from a corporate background (she was a consultant, health and public services, for a global tech company), this industry (showbiz) was completely new to me. Over the years, it has widened my horizons and helped me grow not just as an actor but as a person. It’s been a wholesome journey, and I feel fortunate to be part of meaningful projects. Diya Aur Baati Hum and Mamangam (Malayalam film, 2019) remain milestones people strongly associate me with.”

‘I would like to play a cop on screen’Prachi says she has always wanted to play a cop and hopes to be part of an action film. She tells us, “Considering my height (5’11), I think I’m well suited to such roles. I am excited about this year as I have also signed a Malayalam film.”
About the challenges she still faces, the actress shares that working across multiple industries makes it difficult to stay connected. “Travelling between Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad and Chennai is demanding. My height remains a constraint, as there are fewer tall actors to pair opposite. I’ve been told, ‘Oh, you’re so tall. We don’t have heroes.’ I’ve even been told to consider side roles. However, I appreciate that the Malayalam industry is character-driven, with space for multiple female leads. Ultimately, it depends on how sportingly a co-actor approaches it. Not all actors are comfortable working with actresses taller than them,” says Prachi, who is also the former captain of the Indian national netball team.