After an eight-year hiatus from television, Rashami Desai is back and she is clear about what she did not want from her comeback. The actor returns with Sayoneee, playing Maya, an ambitious entrepreneur and mother whose life changes after a tragedy brings her face-to-face with the daughter she had lost. In an exclusive conversation with mid-day, Rashami opened up about choosing a show that moves beyond the typical kitchen drama, the changing portrayal of women on television and why some long-running shows need to know when to end.

Rashami Desai on returning with Sayoneee

For Rashami, Maya had to be distinct from her real-life persona. “You will see Maya and not Rashami. It’s way too different than my own personality,” she said. The character is a practical, ambitious woman who knows exactly what she wants. “She’s very practical and very bossy. She has a very clear vision. Her company has to create a great position in the market,” she added.