Rarely we come across such talents that give a new definition to Arts. Today we are Interviewing so many talents combined in a person together. Her transition from a qualified engineer to a known Independent Artist is nothing short of fantastic. Today she is known as a popular actress playing a Gang leader in Indian TV soap opera known as ‘Paanch’. But what attracted us were her Impressive skills and activities in various forms of Art. We present you an exclusive Interview of the extremely talented and charming artist ‘Rashi Mal’. Rashi will also sit on the Judge’s seat for this year’s Blossom Short Film Festival initiated with Wiz Studio(Varun Mehta). Below are the excerpts of the Interview.
KrishnaYadav : Rashi, You are an Artist with multiple talents. When did you recognize yourself as an Artist? What inspired you to become one?
Rashi Mal : Honestly none of it was planned. It was a fairly organic process.It started with me exploring my interests and then progressed due to my desire to know myself better and break down my own boundaries .I love making myself uncomfortable .I was just looking for different and new experiences. Everything else just followed from that.
KrishnaYadav : You can act, you can sing, you can Dance, You can write as well. You have explored almost every sector of Arts that is. If you have to choose one, what would you choose? What do you enjoy the most?
Rashi Mal : I don’t think these are mutually exclusive. Everything that I have done in one arm of the performing arts has aided me in another. The fundamentals remain the same. It is all self expression at the end of the day , just the medium of expression changes. I used to sing a lot as a child. In dance I discovered a therapeutic practice. Acting allows me to stretch myself. Each one of these has a different place in my life.
KrishnaYadav : There is no lack of Talent in India. Then why there is a dearth of Talent platforms in the country? Why there are not much opportunities and scope for Arts and Festivals? And what can be done to change this? What’s your take on this?
Rashi Mal : I think it has a lot to do with money and people’s perception of the arts.Traditionally the arts as a career option was always looked down upon and relegated to those who perhaps didn’t do well in the traditional educational format. Parents wanted their children to study and be employed in stable jobs- particularly in India where it was almost imperative for you to be a doctor or engineer if you made even half decent grades, whether you liked it or not. Unlike these career choices, the performing arts don’t always guarantee regular paychecks, at least at the onset. Art festivals suffer from the same problem of money. Sponsor ships and funding become a challenge .These are considered nonviable investments monetarily.I think people fail to see how much the arts contribute to our everyday lives. Everything of beauty has art behind it in some way or the other. Everything that we turn to for enjoyment is a product of art. But I believe we are emerging from the old ways of thinking and a lot more opportunities are now available if you know where to look.
KrishnaYadav : Since you have done a course in film making, and have an experience of making short films. Would you ever go behind the camera to make a full fledged creative and artistic film?
Rashi Mal : If I am inspired enough and I feel I want to express something or talk about something, I most definitely will. Its definitely an option and possibility.
KrishnaYadav : You have performed at Theater, Television and in Advertisements. Which one of these is you find the most challenging and why?
Rashi Mal : I think theater pushes you to test yourself in very many ways. Stage requires you to amplify your emotions and your voice without looking over the top. Not to mention the live audience and the absence of retakes. I wouldn’t say its the most challenging but it definitely challenges you to push the envelope. When you do multiple shows of the same production, each time you need to play your character just as effectively and yet try to find a little something for yourself to add to it. There is immediate feedback and hence also the opportunity to fix your game based on what you hear in reactions.
KrishnaYadav : You are going to sit on the Judge seat for this year’s Blossom Short Film Festival initiated by Wiz Studio. We want to know your favorite genre of movies – Comedy, Action, Thriller or Romance. Give reasons.
Rashi Mal : I love comedies.Its easy to make people cry and get them all riled up.Its hardest to make people laugh. We all need to laugh more.
KrishnaYadav : What’s your message to all the budding artists around the world struggling to make a mark on their own and looking out for opportunities?
Rashi Mal : Work on your skills and keep at it. Opportunities will come,perhaps in varied shapes and forms. But keep working towards your dreams and never give up.
This e-mail interview was exclusively covered by Groundreport.