Lilly Singh's Mumbai Journey and SRK Memories
Lilly Singh, the multifaceted actor, producer, and writer, has found herself in the bustling city of Mumbai, where she is recording her podcast titled Shameless. Known for her rise to fame as a social media influencer, Lilly embraces the vibrant culture of Indian cinema during her stay. Although she has visited the city before, she admits that she is still learning its nuances, particularly the art of 'jugaad'—a term that signifies resourcefulness and flexibility in overcoming challenges.
One of her most cherished experiences in Mumbai was her visit to the iconic Mannat, the residence of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. As an ardent fan who grew up “manifesting SRK energy,” Lilly describes being hosted at Mannat as one of the greatest days of her life. She fondly recalls wearing an SRK shirt upon her arrival and humorously notes how rickshaw drivers in Mumbai often point out SRK's house. Little do they know that she has been inside, shared meals with his family, and even received a blazer from the superstar himself.
As she navigates her career in Hollywood, Lilly reflects on the progress of South Asian representation in the industry. While she acknowledges that steps have been made, she expresses concern about the current trend of regression. She remembers a time when there were only a few South Asians in Hollywood, making it difficult to connect. Now, she hosts an annual Diwali party filled with South Asian talent, yet she still feels that there aren't enough roles available for actors like her.
Lilly emphasizes the importance of producing her own content to create opportunities. Her last film was independently financed, highlighting the necessity for diversity in decision-making roles. She finds it challenging to juggle acting, writing, and producing, stating that her passion lies in acting and writing, while producing feels burdensome. She contrasts her experiences in LA with what she imagines working in India is like, noting that cultural understanding is often lacking among crew members. This results in additional work for diverse creators, who must educate others about cultural references and nuances.
In a humorous example, she recalls receiving emails from producers during her late-night show asking her to translate a Hindi word, which turned out to be the name of Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit. Such experiences underline the cultural gap and the need for more education in the industry, taking away valuable time and energy from her creative pursuits.
