We recently connected with Kashmira Majumdar and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kashmira, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I am from a small town in India. I am 23 years old and as I reflect on my journey so far, I realise that I’ve been living a creative life since I was two years old. I was into dance, painting, swimming, yoga, playing synthesizer , karate, singing, etc. But among all of them, dancing was my favourite. It was my first love, and being on stage brought me an unparalleled sense of freedom and connection with the audience . But growing up in a family where everyone pursued traditional careers like Medicine, Business or Engineering , I never thought I could make a living from performing arts. I was encouraged to become an engineer, and I found myself unknowingly trapped in a rat race, chasing a dream which wasn’t even mine to begin with. When asked about my plans in next 5 years, I never really had an answer . It was as if I was staring into pitch black darkness, feeling numb and without direction. Despite the pressure , I continued to nurture my passion for dance, practicing for 15 years and researching ways to turn it into a career. I wanted to prove to my parents that I was serious and capable of supporting myself. But at the end of the, never really found anything strong enough to convince them. I lost hope and agreed to attend engineering college. But even so, I realised that I couldn’t shake off my true calling. I asked myself every day, “Why should I wake up today?” And never really had an…until I realised that I had never lost hope.
I realised that since I have always loved telling stories and penning my imagination down, why not combining my love of dance and storytelling by learning Acting for theatre and film. After all I grew up watching movies and becoming an Actress was always like a dream which I never thought can come true because there was no way my parents would have allowed me in that industry thinking what our “Society will say”. Because according to the society I grew up in, “GIRLS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DREAM BIG”. They think that every girls final destination is supposed to be marriage and their success is considered only if they get married in a good house.
I , somehow found courage and explained everything to my parents and I was shocked. I underestimated my parents’ love for me. They didn’t flinch for a second when they understood how serious I am about my passion and they agreed without hesitation. That was a turning point in my life. I left my comfort zone, my family, and everything behind to move to New York City and pursue my dreams. Coming from a small town, it was daunting to navigate the big city alone, but for the first time in my life, I felt like I had a reason to wake up. I had found my purpose, and it has given me the strength to keep going.
Three years have passed since I took the leap of faith and moved to New York City to pursue my dreams. I’m thrilled to reflect on the incredible journey I’ve been on. I’ve had the privilege of working on four theatre projects in New York, honing my craft and gaining valuable experience.
As a model, I’ve been published in over 25 international magazines, (which includes, SELIN, STYLE CRUZE, VOUS, ARTEGO, VIGOUR, etc.) which has been a surreal and humbling experience. I’ve also had the opportunity to collaborate with talented filmmakers on multiple student short films.
Most notably, I’ve earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting for Film from the prestigious New York Film Academy, NY campus. This achievement is a testament to my hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
As I continue to grow and learn, I’m excited to see what the future holds. This year promises to be filled with new challenges, opportunities, and experiences and I am so ready for it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a working actress and model and I’m living my dream. The most thrilling aspect of my acting career is the freedom to tell stories without holding back. I can fully immerse myself in a character, understanding their depths and nuances. With each role, I become someone new, and that transformation is exhilarating.
Collaborating with fellow passionate artists in the industry is also a highlight. Sharing creative energies with like-minded individuals sparks inspiration and makes every project more thrilling.
Beyond acting and modeling, I have a thirst for adrenaline-fueled adventures. I’ve already checked off some heart-pumping experiences: climbing a building with proper assistance, skydiving, Sea Walking, and snorkeling. Next on my bucket list? Wing walking! The rush of pushing my limits and facing fears is addictive. I have also planned to become licensed skydiver in Dubai, if my hard work doesn’t pay off in my creative industry. It was my secret. I hope my mum doesn’t see this. I wish to keep this dream of becoming a skydiver always a secret from her. My friends call me -Lady Tom Cruise because I do these things in a heartbeat which almost takes me closer to God every time and that makes my life more thrilling than ever. I hope to stay this fit , so that I can keep doing what my heart wants even when I am 80 years old.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back on my journey, I’ve identified three essential skills that have helped me succeed: patience, time management, and discipline. Discipline is crucial in any industry, while patience is vital in unpredictable fields like mine. It’s what keeps you sane when things don’t go as planned. Time management is also critical, especially when opportunities arise. As a new actor, you’ll face choices and must learn to prioritize. Saying yes to everything can lead to overcommitting and failing to deliver. Staying committed to your work and managing your time effectively is key.
For those just starting out, my advice is simple:
1. Don’t fear failure . It’s inevitable, but it won’t hold you back. Fear, on the other hand, can be crippling.
2. Do what you love with passion, commitment, and happiness.
3. Be patient and trust the process.
4. Manage your time wisely to stay committed to your goals.
We need to remember that we won’t have all the answers now, and that’s okay. We will learn, grow, and evolve as we navigate our journey.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Generally I talk to my mother when I am overwhelmed. She is my best friend for life but since I live far away from her I have some other little strategies too. I love to cook. So , whenever I am overwhelmed, I like to have a solo date with myself. I cook myself the best dish I can , get something to drink and turn on a comedy movie and after that go to sleep. There is no better therapy than Sleeping and I love doing that, since meditation doesn’t work for me, but I highly encourage people to do it.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Photographers :
1) Sai Krishna Gunti
2) Garmelin Starr Gaillard
3) A. Rajani
4) Starfredo Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
