Double Date: Rhea Chakbraborty Reflects On Her & Shouvik's Toughest Phase; 'Nobody Was Signing Me'

Actor-entrepreneur Rhea Chakraborty and her brother Shovik Chakraborty opened up about the realities of working together as siblings during their appearance on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi's chat show Double Date. The duo candidly discussed the challenges of balancing personal and professional relationships, the difficult phase they went through after 2020, and how building a business together helped them find a new purpose.

During the conversation, Neha Dhupia asked the siblings whether starting a business together was an easy decision. Responding honestly, Rhea admitted that working with a sibling comes with its own set of complications, "It's hard to work with a sibling. It takes a lot of time to understand the distinction between personal and professional. If you're upset with them at home and then they do something small at work, it suddenly feels much bigger because you're already angry," Rhea said.

Recalling the early days of their venture, Rhea revealed that disagreements were frequent. "In the beginning, it was very hard for us. Before he left the room, he would give a few threats that he was leaving the house," she said with a laugh. However, she noted that things improved significantly once Shovik moved out, saying, "Him moving out was actually good. We spend the entire day together at the office, so having our own space at home helped create a healthier balance."

Despite the occasional clashes, Rhea believes there is one major benefit to working with family. "The positive part of working with a sibling is that there is complete trust," she explained. "But there are also challenges because of the dynamic." Rhea also reflected on watching her younger brother grow into a leader, said "As the elder sister, seeing him as an adult and as the CEO of our company, Chapter 2, has been an interesting journey. I handle areas like compliances and accounts, which he doesn't really want to be involved in."

Rhea Chakraborty aditionally revealed that she had some unconventional names in mind, while thinking about the brand "I was very keen on naming the brand Chudail Ka Badla. I was completely sure about it and even imagined creating cool T-shirts and merchandise aemphasizedidea," Rhea said with a laugh. "Everyone told me not to be so negative, but I kept saying, 'It's not negative, it's funny,'" she recalled. Rhea further shared that another name she seriously considered was Black Sheep. "I even got bracelets made with 'Black Sheep' written on them because that's how we felt at the time. We felt like the black sheep of society," she said. Eventually, they settled on the name Chapter 2, which symbolized a fresh start and a new phase in their lives.

Shovik, meanwhile, shared that their entrepreneurial journey began during a difficult period in both their lives. "Honestly, we started this business together because we didn't have any other choice," he said. According to Shovik, while Rhea's acting career was facing uncertainty, he was struggling to find a meaningful opportunity despite completing his MBA. Rhea added, "After 2020, I had stopped getting work. Nobody was signing me, and nobody was hiring him either." Shovik further revealed that he had secured admission for his MBA the same year he was arrested. He said, "I had scored 97 percent marks," reflecting on how dramatically life changed during that period.

Their candid conversation on Double Date on YouTube offered viewers an intimate look into the realities of working with family, the struggles they faced after 2020, and the journey that led them to build a business together. While Rhea and Shovik Chakraborty admitted that balancing sibling dynamics with professional responsibilities has not always been easy, they emphasized that trust and mutual support have helped them overcome challenges. Their appearance on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi's YouTube chat show showcased not only their entrepreneurial journey but also the resilience that has strengthened their bond through difficult times.