Mid-day 44th anniversary special: ‘Forging a new path of success and growth’

The pandemic and its aftermath were hard on many people across the globe personally as well as professionally but for 19yearold model and actor Indraxi Kanjilal it was a turning point in her careerldquoComing to Mumbai forged a new path of success and growth for me itrsquos been a year for me in this city and what a year it has beenrdquo said KanjilalJuggling 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 televisionKanjilal plays the character of Prarthana Bapodra aka 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 examsKanjilal was selected for the role in Pushpa Impossible following an online audition She recalled ldquoI 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 13rdquo Kanjilal scored 92 per cent in her ISC examsMoving to Mumbai was tough for Kanjilal even emotionally ldquoIn 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 lotrdquo Kanjilal saidAfter 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 ldquoMumbai 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 coactors have all been incredibly accommodating and supportive to me But the cityrsquos traffic congestion is the one thing I detestrdquo she addedKanjilal 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 graduationKanjilal said Mumbai unlocked many new opportunities for her however she wants to focus on the project in hand for now ldquoAfter 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 characterrdquoKanjilal wishes to have her own house in the city as she plans to continue working hereMumbai meri jaanLove about Mumbai I love Mumbairsquos autorickshaws I love Mumbai rain not the waterlogging that it causesHate about Mumbai The trafficExpectations from Mumbai When I first came to MumbaiI expected people to treat me like an outsider and that they wonrsquot accept me Also I was expecting to get more offers when I shifted to MumbaiDid 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 moviesWill it remain forever home I am in love with Mumbai but it will remain my workplace not home my home is where my family isKolkata