"My family and I were settled in Bahrain, but we're from Kerala -- I grew up as someone who loved dancing, and loved being in front of the camera. At the same time, I was also really shy, so I'd to put in a lot of hard work in honing my skills, and performing in front of people.
Once I finished school, I came to Mumbai to study. I took part in several dance competitions, and gigs. Once I randomly decided to take part in a pageant in Kerala, I was a runner up there, and that opened all kinds of doors for me!
I even got offered a few South Indian movies. I remember I'd signed and started my first film, we finished the first schedule, and the second schedule was going to be shot in a while. But soon the producers stopped responding to me, and I realized that they'd decided to make the movie without me. I was heartbroken -- I'd no idea what went wrong.
I didn't want to give up so soon though, and signed a second film and then even a third. But even before I started shooting for the 3rd, I faced problems. I remember the producer telling me sleazy things like, 'Madam, you have to adjust'. I was repulsed by the way the industry worked, and decided to quit.
It's been 8 years since, and we've gone from 15 students, to 2000 students in 7 locations in Mumbai, with another 2000 students in multiple cities across India! I remember meeting a young girl, who had cancer, at one of our workshops -- she told us that watching our videos made her feel better. And that felt amazing!
Today when I walk on the road, people recognize me because of my work, and that makes me proud -- I know I've come a long way. The younger me was in constant doubt of whether I'd be able to make it; the younger me had experiences that dettered her. But the younger me also chose to rise above, to fight the odds and take a chance. And that's the only reason I'm here today, growing my tribe."
Humans of Bombay, Fb
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