Today we’d like to introduce you to Vidushi Chadha.
Vidushi, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am an actor, writer, artist and feminist born and raised in New Delhi, India.
I laugh like a horse.
More like a mule,
It sometimes resembles neighing and sometimes braying,
High pitched with short gulps of breath
that create a hiccup-like sound periodically.
I always had this laugh, throughout school
The boys found it unattractive,
My parents found it embarrassing, transgressing
From the pretty feminine persona, I was expected to maintain.
Somewhere between, trying to keep my legs waxed, and breasts tame
I lost that laugh in high school.
First month of university, as a first-time actor, I slip.
I let out the neighing, the braying, the hiccup-like sound.
I cover my face, hold my breath but it escapes, drapes,
Like a hug from an old friend.
Embarrassed, anticipating a mock, I turn red, instead
The director says
‘Keep it’.
And since then, I did. Theatre helped me reclaim my laughter.
It gave me an opportunity to be fully human. I started with doing an adaptation of Peter Shaffer’s Black Comedy in business school (SRCC, Delhi University) and it completely changed my life. I began performing while balancing accounting and marketing and all the other things that one learns in a business school. I then went on to explore Liberal Arts (Ashoka University) where I studied gender, anthropology, philosophy, politics, cinema and so much more. The world of academia made me politically aware and shaped the writer in me. However, my heart is a performer!
To pursue my dream of becoming an actor, I trained in Shakespeare Acting from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London. I worked with various artists in India, tasted a slight flavour of Bollywood and then went on to pursue an MFA at CalArts.
The last two years at CalArts have been incredible as I am graced with the opportunity to learn from amazing actors and directors across the world. CalArts has not only helped me preserve my voice as an artist but also given me the necessary tools to amplify my work and expand my artistry. The training is rigorous yet freeing.
I am now exploring acting for film and jumping deeper in the film creation process. Amongst the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic, I am grateful to be remotely interning with Judith Bouley, a CSA casting director, who is compassionately teaching me how to navigate this exciting world of Hollywood, while keeping one’s heart intact!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
If it had been smooth, how would it have been any fun!
The biggest challenge for me was to dive completely into the unpredictable world of art from an environment where everyone around me was competing for high paying consulting jobs. Being an Indian woman, in my experience, comes with a timeline. There is a set age for one to finish their education, get a stable job, get married and have kids. Also, as an actor, you are bound to be visible and with that comes a lot of responsibility. There have been times I am subconsciously forced to censor my work due to social pressure.
I have been fortunate to have the full support of my family, even though they were initially scared due to the unstable nature of my work. Moving to California for an MFA in Acting was a decision that took immense strength and courage. When I landed in LAX, I knew no one, didn’t have an American credit card or phone network. All I had was my passion to learn and become the best artist I could be. And I am so happy I did!
As an actor, I face rejection on a daily basis. Coming from a different country, speaking in an Indian accent and having a non-white skin tone is disadvantageous in the industry.
Despite all these challenges, I am so grateful to have met such inspiring people on my journey, who have enriched my life in incredible ways. The CalArts community of artists, my teachers and my Buddhism family have believed in me and rooted for my success. I believe every obstacle in my life has helped me grow and made me a strong-willed and compassionate person. I am here to create, to represent and to spread love.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My work is political and aims to subvert and liberate. Being in Los Angeles for the last two years has compelled me to navigate the world of theatre, film and art as a Woman of Colour. My work focuses on amplifying voices of women and POC.
Recently I wrote, produced and acted in a short film called ‘Freedom’ with a WOC dominant cast and crew. It illuminates the restrictions women of colour face because of their ethnic and gender identity. I am now working on creating another WOC led film – ‘Back Pocket’ a fun quirky, spoken word piece on the lack of pockets in women’s clothing. Our phones always fall in the toilet because of our tiny-‘ass’ pockets!
I practice the life-affirming practice of Nichiren Buddhism where we chant ‘ Nam myoho renge kyo’ to awaken to the infinite potential in our own lives and lives of others. It has shaped the way I view the world and as my mentor, Daisaku Ikeda (a world peace leader) says to– ‘ remove the invisible arrow of prejudice from our hearts.’ My mission is to strive towards creating a community through my art where the dignity of all human life is the first priority.
I am a multi-dimensional artist, bringing a multitude of experiences from the East to the West. The world of art, theatre and cinema has shrunk and artistic collaborations have gained accessibility world-wide. For me, it is of utmost importance to not only be a global artist but to truly be a global citizen. To amplify voices, to aid, to provoke, to question and to touch lives. Because “Art saves lives” (Judith Bouley).
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My family is my pillar of support. It’s the four of us – my mother (Reena), my father (Sumant), my older sister (Ayushi) and I. My parents are in New Delhi; my sister is in London, happily married and I have the coolest brother in law in the world (Gurchetan). The unconditional belief and encouragement from my family is the backbone of my success.
A few months back, I lost the footage of my film due to a technical error. I was completely devastated and told my Dad – “I am done. I don’t think I’m going to shoot this again.” My dad told me “If it gets deleted ten times, you will remake it ten times! Never give up.” And of course, I am filming it again!
For me, the most important thing is to never be defeated. That is the foundation of my Buddhist Practice. No matter how humungous the obstacle is, it is the unwavering conviction in my own infinite potential that leads me to be victorious.
I also believe that when I change, my environment changes. I am a resilient, forward-looking person who treats every moment as a fresh start. It is imperative for me to find joy, happiness and humour in my work, even in the bad days. I work hard, learn fast and am extremely spontaneous!
I would like to end this interview with one of my favourite quotes – “The human spirit is as expansive as the cosmos. This is why it is so tragic to belittle yourself or to question your worth. No matter what happens, continue to push back the boundaries of your inner life. The confidence to prevail over any problem, the strength to overcome adversity and unbounded hope — all reside within you.” – Daisaku Ikeda
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vidushichadha.com
- Phone: 661.993.8517
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vidushi95/
Image Credit:
Hao Feng, Sarahjeen François, Festigious Film Festival (LA), Nihal Vasudevan, Ritika Ramesh
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