While mainstream Bollywood often relegated her to glamorous props in the mid-2000s (think Dhoom 2 ), Rai pivoted back to the South Indian film industry, where content was evolving faster. Her work in Mani Ratnam’s Raavanan (Tamil) is arguably the most under-discussed moment in her career.

These "bold moves" represent her commitment to evolving as an artist beyond the typical constraints of a mainstream Bollywood actress, challenging societal norms through her work.