Henlly Phom Odyuo
Dimapur, June 4 (EMN): Model-turned actress Andrea Kevichusa has been turning heads after featuring alongside Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana in her debut movie “Anek”.
The 21-year-old has intrigued movie goers and the film industry with her fresh face, but she is not new to the entertainment industry. She has worked with renowned names like Sabyasachi Mukherjee and is part of Katrina Kaif’s beauty line, Kay Beauty.
She was scouted at a young age by Anima Creative Management Pvt. Ltd., a talent management firm that exclusively represents Indian and international models, photographers, stylists, hair and make-up artistes for the fashion, film and advertising industry. However, she decided to enter the modelling industry only after she turned 16.
Her entry into Bollywood was also kept a secret till she promoted the movie on her social media account just weeks before its release. It was all limelight thereafter, appearing on The Kapil Sharma Show, featuring on the cover of Filmfare magazine, and more.
In an exclusive interview with Eastern Mirror, Kevichusa said the character she plays “is metaphorical, in the sense that she symbolises the region she comes from and the betrayals she goes through. She’s a very strong-willed person who is trying to find her own footing in the country but is unable to, because she simply isn’t being presented the opportunity to”.
Read on to know her Bollywood experience, future plan, and more…
Eastern Mirror: It’s not easy to get a break in Bollywood. How did you land up in “Anek”?
Kevichusa: I was cast for my role Aido in Anek a few months after I had moved to Mumbai, back in 2019. My agent told me that I had a meeting for a film, and when I had met the director, Sir Anubhav Sinha the next day, he told me that he was working on a film and that he wanted me to be the female lead, playing a boxer. I was taken aback because I never had any aspirations to be an actress and expected the role to be a minor one.
Eastern Mirror: Your debut movie is with none other than Ayushman Khurana and Anubhav Sinha, director of “Ra.One”. You must be excited when you were offered the role in “Anek”.
Kevichusa: I did not know the gravity of the situation I was getting into and how well established the people I was going to work with were. Until much later into the preparation for the film, Sir Anubhav kept the identity of my co-actor a secret. It was a very pleasant surprise for me when I had finally found out that I would be on screen alongside Ayushmann Khurrana, and I think it dawned on me then that I was actually taking a very big step in my life.
Eastern Mirror: Was it intimidating working with big names like Ayushman Khurana and Anubhav Sinha?
Kevichusa: I was quite nervous initially because as a first-timer, to be working with such reputed creatives, the pressure I was putting on myself was intense. However, I bonded with them and everyone in the crew in due time and I grew to be more confident with myself. Sir Anubhav Sinha and Ayushmann also created a warm environment where I could work comfortably.
Eastern Mirror: Talk us through your association with the Anima Creative Management.
Kevichusa: Being from a small town, it was seldom that someone would pursue careers that were considered unconventional. When I was scouted by my agency Anima Creatives, I had no idea what modelling agencies even were. The directors of my agency were kind enough to come all the way to Kohima from Mumbai to meet my family and to run us through how the industry generally worked. I had completely different plans on what career I wanted to do then, but I decided to give modelling a shot when I turned 16. Because I was still in school, it was quite a task to juggle my studies and shoots. I would fly to Mumbai every summer and winter break or whenever I could afford to miss classes and would often find myself preparing for exams in-flights. But it has been a great journey since, and I have loved every moment of it, both the ups and the downs.
Eastern Mirror: You are the first person from Nagaland to play a lead role in Bollywood. How is the industry treating you so far?
Kevichusa: I guess it’s far too early to say anything. But the warm reception that I’ve received from a number of stars in the Bollywood industry has been gratifying.
Eastern Mirror: How did you prepare for your role in the movie?
Kevichusa: I had to take a number of various classes to prepare for my role. It started with boxing and weight training, which I worked on for several months. At the same time I was also working on improving my Hindi as well as my acting. I was made to attend classes and workshops for those as well. It was integral for the character and her fights to look as realistic as possible, so I also had to take action-training classes. And I also learned how to ride a bike!
Eastern Mirror: Did you come across any interesting incidents on the sets of the movie?
Kevichusa: When we were shooting in Kaziranga, we would often go for safari rides at the Kaziranga National Park. On one of those visits, a rhinoceros started chasing the car as we were seated inside. We were all so terrified, and it’s an experience I will definitely never forget.
Eastern Mirror: Are you planning to take up acting full-time or pursue modelling as well?
Kevichusa: I am simply taking life one day at a time. I would like to continue to concentrate on my modelling career as well as my education.
Eastern Mirror: You must be missing home as well. Is there anything you look forward to the most when you return to Nagaland?
Kevichusa: I definitely miss home! There are a lot of things that I look forward to, but eating Naga food is something I look forward to the most.