7 Bollywood Actresses Who Restarted Their Careers as YouTube Podcast Hosts

By: Ayushi Dutta, Senior Correspondent

Rhea Chakraborty: Chapter 2

Rhea Chakraborty began her career as an MTV VJ before moving into Bollywood and appearing in Hindi and regional-language films. Her professional journey was subsequently overshadowed by an intensely difficult and highly public period in her personal life. Rather than allowing that experience to become the defining chapter of her identity, Rhea used it as the foundation for a new beginning.

In July 2024, she launched Chapter 2 on YouTube, timing its debut with her birthday as a symbolic marker of renewal. The podcast brings together friends and industry colleagues whom Rhea personally admires for conversations about friendship, love, failure, success, resilience, and vulnerability.

Its biggest breakout came with Episode 4, featuring comedians Zakir Khan and Tanmay Bhat. The conversation explored transformation, success, and vulnerability and became the channel's highest-viewed full episode, reaching around 1.2 million views. Its appeal extended beyond the podcast's usual audience because the discussion moved from humour into deeper reflections about life and relationships.

At its heart, Chapter 2 carries a simple message: a difficult period does not have to determine the rest of a person's story. By discussing vulnerability, second chances, and self-worth openly, Rhea has transformed personal adversity into a platform centred on conversations about moving forward.