Indraxi Kanjilal | Actress | For 19-year-old model and actress Indraxi Kanjilal, moving here meant growing as a person and finding recognition for her talent
Indraxi Kanjilal would shuttle between Kolkata and Mumbai initially as she had to give the ISC exams. Pic/Anurag Ahire
The pandemic and its aftermath were hard on many people across the globe personally as well as professionally, but for 19-year-old model and actor Indraxi Kanjilal it was a turning point in her career.
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“Coming to Mumbai forged a new path of success and growth for me, it’s been a year for me in this city, and what a year it has been,” said Kanjilal.
Juggling between high school and auditions, she landed a role in a popular TV show, for which she moved to Mumbai from her hometown in Kolkata, marking her debut on television.
Kanjilal plays the character of Prarthana Bapodra a.k.a pannu, a parallel lead in the popular TV serial - Pushpa Impossible. Even as she moved to Mumbai in 2022, she had to keep running to and fro Kolkata and Mumbai for the ISC (Std XII) exams.
Kanjilal was selected for the role in Pushpa Impossible following an online audition. She recalled, “I recorded 90 different shots. I was selected for the role. I made the decision to relocate to Mumbai with my mother (Rampi Kanjilal) in May 2022. However, post the pandemic, the first offline exam was deferred. In 2022, the exams began on April 26. I would travel to Mumbai, complete the shooting and then return to Kolkata for my exams. I continued this schedule until my exam was over on June 13.” Kanjilal scored 92 per cent in her ISC exams.
Moving to Mumbai was tough for Kanjilal even emotionally. “In Kolkata, I was working on several modelling and acting projects. However, I frequently thought this was not enough. When I gave it some thought, I realised that the scope and reach of the projects I had in Kolkata felt extremely local and regional. Mumbai was the next destination because I wanted to accomplish more. However, there were many factors that stopped me then . For instance, I was worried that people in Mumbai might not embrace me. I was concerned that I would encounter hostility from people. My father (Mrinmoy Kanjilal), a businessman and well known event manager in West Bengal, would be unable to join us if I moved to Mumbai. But in December 2021, I made my first trip to Mumbai for a few auditions for serials and movies and a project involving an advertisement. It gave me assurance and confidence that I could make it. After being selected for Pushpa Impossible, I decided to enthusiastically move here. Of course I miss my father and my home a lot,” Kanjilal said.
After living in Mumbai for a year, Kanjilal claims that, in contrast to all she had previously believed, she is now utterly in awe of the city. “Mumbai is so dynamic, it seems to go on forever, never stopping. I adore both... the city and its people. People I have encountered so far, such as my coworkers, seniors, and co-actors, have all been incredibly accommodating and supportive to me. But the city’s traffic congestion is the one thing I detest,” she added.
Kanjilal is pursuing her graduation in Sociology from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), she is also preparing for the UPSC exam which she plans to pursue after her graduation.
Kanjilal said Mumbai unlocked many new opportunities for her, however, she wants to focus on the project in hand for now. “After I started working in Pushpa Impossible, I have been getting offers for modelling and acting. I was offered roles in two TV serials, and a movie. However I want to focus on my role in Pushpa Impossible. The character is developing and I am enjoying work. I was also offered a role in a film, but that is a period drama, I am not very keen on playing a historical character.”
Kanjilal wishes to have her own house in the city, as she plans to continue working here.
Mumbai meri jaan?
Love about Mumbai I love Mumbai’s autorickshaws. I love Mumbai rain, not the waterlogging that it causes.
Hate about Mumbai The traffic.
Expectations from Mumbai When I first came to Mumbai...I expected people to treat me like an outsider and that they won’t accept me. Also I was expecting to get more offers when I shifted to Mumbai.
Did Mumbai live up to it? Surprisingly, nothing like I expected happened. People liked my work. I felt welcome. In addition to this I have been getting offers for TV serials and even movies.
Will it remain forever home? I am in love with Mumbai, but it will remain my workplace, not home, my home is where my family is....Kolkata.
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