Andheri is a highly developed “suburb” of Mumbai. The east side is a corporate hub, with tons of office buildings and hotels, nods to Wall Street and Art Deco mashed together with gurudwaras and metro lines, while the west side is full of high-rises, spread out into larger blocks with taller buildings and more mega-developments like the massive Infiniti Mall. Andheri West is known as a film industry hub–its cafes are often filled with laptop-camping screenwriters and aspiring model/actors parading from table to table in evening gowns and muscle tees, hoping to be discovered. It’s known that casting can happen on the spot like this and change the trajectory of one’s entire life–it’s been the subject of many Bollywood and Netflix features.
Next to this mall is a particular society (residential building) known for being the address of many industry names, and also where XLE.LIFE’s Kai Altmann met up with Kanushree Jain, a rising actress and dancer who just relocated to Mumbai from New York.
CoVid-19 had just hit India and lockdown hadn’t become strict in Mumbai just yet, but the drive to Andheri that day made it clear it would only become worse, as 30% of the hoardings (billboards) were now dedicated to the virus, streets were all but empty and the few people outside were finally all wearing masks. Scenes in Mumbai city are always cinematically charged–from this eerie outbreak drive Kai landed on Kanushree’s ethereal 30th floor rooftop, overlooking all of Andheri and Juhu at magic hour…and this is the contrast of Mumbai, always.
KAI ALTMANN: When did you arrive in Bombay from NYC?
KANUSHREE JAIN: I arrived in Mumbai on Dec 10th, 2019 and was warmly received by my Mamaji (mother’s elder brother). I remember smelling a salty, beachy, coastal wind as I got off the airplane–it was a familiar feeling of Bollywood movies even though it’s my first time in Mumbai. After settling in with my relatives, I spent a month tirelessly scouting for PGs (paying guest accommodations) near my acting school in Andheri West, trying to lock something down before my course started.
KAI ALTMANN: How long have you planned to come here and how did you prepare? How has this caused a life change?
KANUSHREE JAIN: I am on a spiritual journey here in Mumbai. It’s been my childhood dream to be a Bollywood actress since I was five years old. I have spent the last two and half decades preparing for this adventure in every way–from learning acting, dance, vocals and modeling to practicing public speaking/interview skills, eating on camera and even hair-flipping (laughs). I have dedicated myself to being the best I could be!
Even then, it took me a year of active preparation to make this life-changing move from one city of dreams to another. I saved money, signed up for an acting course, quit my job, moved out of my East Harlem apartment, and meditated as much possible to mentally prepare for this. Initially, I felt really homesick and longed to be back in my apartment, shopping at Trader Joe’s and Victoria’s Secret, mindlessly walking the bright busy streets of Manhattan, hanging out with my friends, taking HIIT classes at my gym with infrared sauna…and the list goes on. I have given up a very comfortable lifestyle for this dream and so plan on giving it at least five years.
KAI ALTMANN: Are you having culture shock even though your family is from India? How are you adjusting?
KANUSHREE JAIN: I had a HUGE culture shock when I exited the airport. As I sat in my Mamaji’s car and exchanged pleasantries, I felt the tears roll down my cheeks. I couldn’t believe how broken and run down this city of dreams was. The infrastructure literally sank my heart into an abyss. I am glad my parents are from India and so I know the language. However, almost everything else has been a huge adjustment here, from the housing standards to the rocky roads and the autos. I still remember the first time I sat in an auto (rickshaw), I thought I was in a roller coaster ride.
KAI ALTMANN: What is your dream role in Bollywood as a dancer/actress?
KANUSHREE JAIN: My dream in Bollywood would be to play well-written, multidimensional, strong woman roles. I don’t think I would make a very convincing damsel in distress.
With that said, I’d like to explore being an aerial dancer in a dance movie, a superwoman in a sci-fi, a warrior princess in a period film, a political leader in a suspense film and a matriarch in a comedy film.
KAI ALTMANN: What projects do you have coming up?
KANUSHREE JAIN: Currently all projects are on hold due to Corona Virus. However, nothing can stop creative minds so I am working on fleshing out my dance program called the “5 Limb” approach which will provide a foundation to learning any dance style. I don’t believe in “two left feet”. Humans were meant to move and they were absolutely meant to dance. That’s why I want to make learning dance accessible to anyone and everyone who is intimidated by exploring their body movements.
Follow Kanu @kanushree_jain
Photos and Interview/Intro by Kai Altmann for XLE.LIFE
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