Riddhi Yadav, born and raised in a middle-class family in Rajkot, Gujarat, grew up in an environment filled with creativity and ambition. Her father, Praful Yadav, a businessman, and her mother, Aarti Yadav, a homemaker, provided a supportive foundation for Riddhi and her sister. Riddhi completed her schooling and graduation in Rajkot before her family relocated to Ahmedabad. Her sister pursued studies in the field of art, attending CN Fine Arts College and specializing in Lithography at MSU Baroda.
Choosing the Path of Teaching
As fate would have it, Riddhi’s father faced a downturn in his business, prompting her to step up and support her family. Contemplating her career options, she realized that many of her family members found success in the teaching field. Memories of her childhood games centred around teaching also resurfaced, prompting Riddhi to consider teaching as her path. She successfully secured a teaching job through a campus interview and began her journey at Hiramani English Medium School.
Discovering Passion in Teaching
During her time as a teacher, Riddhi found teaching to be a fulfilling and rewarding profession. She discovered a natural affinity for being on stage and actively participating in extracurricular activities. Taking charge of various competitions and engaging in her favourite activities, such as drawing and classical dance, allowed her to connect with her true passions. She even organized a poetry competition at her school, which was a first for the institute and a rarity in the region. Through teaching, Riddhi gained invaluable experiences and opportunities that she may not have found in other career paths, ultimately leading her to be content and satisfied with her decision.
Artistic Pursuits and Expanding Horizons
Riddhi’s inclination towards the stage and performing arts played a significant role in shaping her career. Over the years, she devoted herself to learning Kathak and Kuchipudi for five years each, even exploring martial arts and acting. She embarked on her acting journey by joining a theatre play called “Dwirang,” written and directed by Ravirajsinh Parmar. Working with Ravirajsinh proved to be a remarkable experience, and Riddhi continues to seek his guidance to this day, valuing his insights.
The Breakthrough: Hellaro and Beyond
In 2017, Riddhi attended an acting workshop and stumbled upon a casting call for a film project through social media. Despite her nervousness during her first audition, she cracked it. Initially skeptical about her abilities, Riddhi found herself torn between seizing the significant opportunity and her lack of film acting experience. Seeking guidance from a friend, she mustered the courage to accept the offer for a Garba audition in the film “Hellaro.” The decision paid off when Riddhi not only secured the role but also achieved something extraordinary—an esteemed National Award for her debut film.
Continuing the Artistic Journey
Following the success of “Hellaro,” Riddhi went on to work in various projects, including the Gujarati movie “Raado,” where she portrayed the role of a strong female journalist named Tejaswini. She also took part in a theatre play called “Cigarette,” directed by Mahesh Ghodeshwar, an NSD alumni and one of her favourite directors. She also worked in ad films for brands like BlueCross Laboratory and Jio e-bike. Her filmography expanded with projects like “Mast Naukri Sarkari” and several theatres plays and short films.
A Future Full of Promise
Currently involved in a Gujarati film under the direction of Harshit Bhatt, with Yash Soni as a cop, Riddhi finds herself surrounded by talented artists and exceptional individuals. Working with Harshil Bhatt has been a truly enriching exploratory learning process for her. She also participated in the theatre workshop by FTTI alumni which helped her understand basics of camera acting in depth. Staying physically fit through yoga, gym workouts and dance remain important aspects of Riddhi’s life. She is also keen to have some training for singing in a near future. Riddhi is an ambitious woman who plans to grow in life and owns the dream of working with Shoojit Sircar.
Things that she believes in
Through her experiences, Riddhi shares valuable advice for aspiring artists. She emphasizes the significance of focus, suggesting that individuals concentrate on a single career path after pursuing multiple options simultaneously. As an artist, she acknowledges the presence of competition and the necessity of selecting the best opportunities. Riddhi encourages others to stay dedicated, honest, and consistent, believing that success takes time and effort. She believes that aspiring artists should explore and learn continually, drawing inspiration from movies, interviews, and the work of fellow artists. Furthermore, Riddhi advocates for being fully present during practices, shoots, and other engagements, fostering observation and learning opportunities.
Riddhi Yadav’s journey from teaching to the silver screen showcases the power of passion, dedication, and seizing opportunities. Through her unwavering commitment to her craft, she has achieved remarkable success, including a National Award for her debut film. Riddhi continues to expand her career in the Gujarati and Hindi entertainment industry, continually striving for improvement and embracing new challenges. Her story serves as an inspiration for artists to pursue their dreams, stay focused, and work with honesty and dedication, knowing that the seeds they sow will eventually grow, given time and unwavering commitment.
