'They Said I Was Too Smart To Be An Actor': Vishakha Singh On Films, Bias & Hope

Vishakha Singh has always gravitated towards stories that champion community, uniqueness, and authenticity. As an actor, producer, and entrepreneur, she understands deeply how storytelling can turn ordinary moments into a celebration of the human spirit. Her latest project, Real Kashmir Football Club, is no exception.

Set against the backdrop of Srinagar, the series tells the story of Kashmiri youth chasing their dreams with courage and hope. There is sport, there is emotion, there is hope. As the executive producer of the series, Vishakha shepherded the development over several years, navigating the complexities of producing a large-scale football drama in Kashmir.

In an interview with SheThePeople, Vishakha opens up about her journey with the series and the lessons she has carried from in front of the camera to behind it. 

She also opens up about how her career across cinema, tech, and Web3 has shaped her creative sensibilities, inspiring her to tell bold and honest stories from the margin.

Vishakha Singh In Conversation With SheThePeople

STP: You originated The Real Kashmir Football Club several years ago. What first drew you to this story, and what made you stay committed to it for so long?

Vishakha: The sheer courage of the dreamers behind Real Kashmir Football Club deeply inspired me. The ambition and hope of Kashmiri youth made an immediate impact. When I first heard their story, it was an instant yes.

I was then joined by an equally passionate group of collaborators (Kilian Kerwin, Mahesh Mathai) who trusted the same instinct. After the sudden passing of Mr Sandeep Chattoo, the founder of RKFC, my resolve to tell this story only grew stronger. I had made him a promise- to see this through, and I honoured it. At its core, this journey reflects who I am. When I believe in something, I give it my absolute best.

STP: As the only female producer on the show, did you face any unique challenges while mounting a large-scale sports drama?

Vishakha: As an actor, I was once told I was “too smart” and could be intimidating to directors. In the start-up world, I was told I would raise capital because of how I looked. And as a young producer, I have been taken for a ride by my own teammates in the past.

Hence, today, I am very intentional about who I work with. On Real Kashmir Football Club, I have been fortunate to collaborate with a team of feminists -men and women - who believe in equality, respect, and integrity. I have never viewed my journey through a gender lens, though I am aware the world often does. I choose not to internalise those limitations. I focus on finding solutions.

STP: The portrayal of Kashmir in the mainstream media is often pigeonholed and politically coloured. How do you break free from stereotyping?

Vishakha: For me, authenticity and integrity are non-negotiable. Mainstream narratives often lean towards sensationalism, but we were interested in showing everyday life: people working, studying, dreaming, and living with quiet dignity. 

We chose to focus on the aspirations of Kashmiri youth rather than the expected tokenism. Since we took the risk of producing the show independently, we had the creative freedom to stay true to that intent.

STP: You’ve consistently backed stories rising from the margins. What draws you to narratives rooted in resilience and community?

We live in a time of global transition, where conversations around injustice, marginalisation, and identity are more important than ever. Yet, many of these stories don’t find space in mainstream discourse.

I believe that if you have the means to tell stories, you also have a responsibility to do it honestly, without being preachy. Stories rooted in resilience remind us of our shared humanity.

STP: As an actor-turned-producer, how has your experience in front of the camera influenced your decision-making behind it?

Being an actor has given me intuition and empathy. Actors understand uncertainty, effort, failure, and resilience, qualities that serve a producer well.

It has shaped me into a collaborative, democratic leader who avoids ego-driven decisions. I stay focused on the larger goal, much like Arjun in the Mahabharat, with the focus on the fish’s eye.

STP: Alongside cinema, you’ve had a parallel career in tech, Web3, and blockchain. How do these worlds intersect for you creatively?

My time in tech has made me more disciplined and, interestingly, more spiritual. Technology teaches you structure, timing, and clarity - it shows you patterns, risks, and possibilities.

Creatively, I trust my instinct. But decision-making is timed, structured, and data-informed now. That balance has helped me build and deliver projects with both heart and precision.