TWO states

BANITA SANDHU IS A KNOWN NAME ABROAD AND IS SLOWLY FINDING HER FEET IN BOLLYWOOD. SHE TALKS TO SRIJANI ROY CHOWDHURY ABOUT THIS TRANSITION AND MORE

- Srijani Roy Chowdhury

Banita Sandhu grew up in Caerleon, a small town in South Wales. Bollywood movies were a huge part of her living room, unknowingly preparing for the life she would one day live. Born to first generation British Sikh parents, Banita stayed connected to her Punjabi roots. Acting seemed like the most natural thing to do. Her love for movies being such. Her journey honestly feels like something out of a movie. Banita began working at just 11, while most of us were still figuring out long division. She made her debut on the BBC. She happened to be in India during an IPL season. A chance encounter with Shoojit Sircar got her October. There's been no looking back, ever since. As we converse, the actress talks about her love for Punjabi food, her experience in Bollywood and her journey so far. Excerpts...

You started working as a child, at the age of 11. How did you decide acting was the way to go?

I always loved film and television growing up. I was obsessed with watching anything that came on television. So one day, I sat my parents down and told them that I wanted to be an actress. Luckily, they took me seriously. I found an agency that I had to audition for. I got signed. I started working from the age of 11. My first project was a BBC show. That was my first job ever. I also did many little things along the way. My career started to pick up professionally when I was 18.

How close were you to your Indian roots while growing up?