With a filmography that boasts titles like Sarkar, PK, Uri: The Surgical Strike, and 83, Rukhsar Rehman has proven time and again that she is an actress of remarkable depth and versatility. Her transition to the digital space has been equally impressive, with critically acclaimed performances in web series such as The Night Manager and The Gone Game. Television audiences, too, fondly remember her for her roles in shows like Kuch Toh Log Kahenge, Baal Veer, Dream Girl, and Mariam Khan – Reporting Live.
Despite the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of entertainment that she navigates with ease, Rukhsar remains refreshingly old-school when it comes to reading. While e-books and audiobooks have become popular choices for many in the digital age, she admits they just don’t work for her.
“I don’t read e-books because I just can’t… I have tried reading them, but it felt very odd,” Rukhsar shares candidly. “Hence, I am sticking to paper books as of now,” she says.
There’s something deeply personal and nostalgic about flipping through the pages of a physical book — and for Rukhsar, that sensory connection is irreplaceable. The weight of a novel in her hands, the scent of paper, and the ability to underline, fold pages, or simply curl up with a paperback — these are small joys that she holds dear.
When asked to name a few of her favourite reads, her eyes light up. “Oh! I have many, but if I have to choose, then Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns and Anurag Thakur’s The Inscrutable Americans,” she says.
Both books are known for their powerful storytelling and emotional depth — much like the kind of roles Rukhsar is drawn to. A Thousand Splendid Suns is a heartrending tale of resilience and womanhood set in war-torn Afghanistan, while The Inscrutable Americans offers a humorous yet poignant take on cultural identity and coming-of-age in a foreign land.
