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Indiana Mehta, this Gujarati dancer from Mumbai gives a whole new definition to try and try till you succeed. Indiana Mehta, previously an assistant to a choreographer took the social media by storm as she shared the poster of her upcoming movie on the world’s biggest streaming platform starring alongside Hollywood’s biggest youth sensations Sabrina Carpenter & Liza Koshy.
It wasn’t a ticket to Hollywood given on a platter for Indiana who’s been a dancer all through her life & also the first Indian in the history of Laine Theatre Arts, world’s No. 1 Musical theatre school, to graduate with a National Diploma in performing arts with alumni like Victoria Beckham, Ruthie Henshall & many broadway stars.
Sharing her story to inspire aspiring dancers, Indiana talks about her journey to the top,
‘I chanced upon a meeting with a Veteran Ballet dancer – Yana Lewis who made me fall in love with the dance form. I moved to The Lewis Foundation of Classical ballet in Bangalore to train under her. I spent every hour of my life practicing & mastering the art form. I attended baby ballet with 3 year olds, took advanced lessons, practiced at home, practised on bus stops & probably in my sleep too.’
‘Getting through Laine Theatre Arts in the UK was a life-changing event. I had a lot to catch up when it came to Jazz, Jazz-funk, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Tap, Acting and Singing. My college hours would be 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday to Friday for 3 years. I would be the first person at the door at 7 am waiting for the student admin to open the doors to the college so I could practice and work on my technique. Most nights I stayed back after college until I was kicked out by the cleaners. I also worked 3 part-time jobs in a week, McDonald’s, Organic Food Store & Bar Tending,’ she shares.
But life had some other plans. Soon after her graduation, Indiana had to move back to India even before her career could take off in England. After struggling for 2 years to get an opportunity worth her experience, Indiana packed her bags & took off to Canada to try her luck.
Skipping the struggles in Canada, Indiana expresses her gratitude & love the new country gave her & recounts her an episode that got her the part in Alicia Keys produced Work It, she quips, ‘ I went full out during my performance & hoped for the best. Towards the end of the audition, Aakomon asked if anyone wanted to showcase any different style of dancing. I was sure to not be able to match the level of flips, locking, popping & didn’t want to embarass myself. But later I took my shoes off, jumped right in at the very last moment & impressed the judges with Garba, Bhangra & some Jazz funk. I got a standing ovation & I later was called in to read for a role.’
Well, hard work does pay off! Another Indian to put our country on the world!
