Global Indianstory Global Indian ExclusiveFrom school dreams to silver screen: Actor Preeti Panigrahi shines at Sundance

From school dreams to silver screen: Actor Preeti Panigrahi shines at Sundance

Written by: Amrita Priya

(February 2, 2024) Preeti Panigrahi knew her goal in life ever since she was a student at Amity International School in Noida. She wanted to be an actress. Nobody in her family had a film background but Preeti would go on to find international acclaim in her very first film. Preeti Panigrahi recently won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for acting at the Sundance Film Festival 2024, held in the United States. Preeti’s debut film ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ is an Indo-French co-production. It was one of the 16 films from across the world that was selected for the World Cinema Dramatic Competition of the festival.

Preeti Panigrahi

Playing the lead in her debut

‘Girls Will Be Girls’ was screened at Park City, Utah in the United States. While sharing the news of the movie’s premiere, the elated debutant actor had shared on social media, “Girls Will be Girls is premiering at Sundance 2024 in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. What does one even write in moments like these. It is so humbling that I am filled with immense gratitude for everyone involved in making this dream come true!”

Written and directed by Shuchi Talati, the movie, based in a small Himalayan hill town in northern India is about the rebellious awakening of a 16-year-old girl played by Preeti. Kani Kusruti and Kesav Binoy Kiron have portrayed the roles of other lead characters in the movie. The high-school drama is an Indo-French official co-production, a collaboration between Pushing Buttons Studios, Crawling Angel Films, Blink Digital, and Dolce Vita Films.

Unfortunately, Preeti was not there to collect the award in person when the award was announced at the Sundance Festival. It was received on her behalf by the director of the movie. Later sharing that moment’s video, the actor remarked, “Here’s a golden moment in my life, where I was far away tucked in bed, probably dreaming about something like this to come true.”

Multi-talented always

Preeti had always been an exceptional student, topping the class despite not studying very hard. She was an all-rounder and had even been the head girl of her school. Right from her high school she was known for being an actor, dancer, artist, singer, photographer, graphic designer, an orator with interest in social service. The youngster also displayed interest in filmmaking at that tender age. She became a member of the Bal Bhawan at NTPC Township, Noida. Owing to her creative performances, in 2015, Preeti Panigrahi received ‘The National Balshree Honour,’ a recognition by the HRD ministry of India. That year she was the only child to receive the honour in the age group of nine-11.

The award was presented by union minister of HRD Smriti Zubin Irani at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The honour comprised a plaque of appreciation, citation and Kisan Vikas Patra worth rupees ten thousand. Following this, her school felicitated Preeti with the Lt. Baljit Shashtri Award for being an all-rounder.

Preeti Panigrahi with Smriti Irani while receiving The National Balshree Honour

After passing out from school with flying colours, scoring 98 percent in her 12th board exam, Preeti went on to pursue bachelors in history from Hindu College, University of Delhi.

Acting and filmmaking – a natural progression

Preeti’s love for the performing arts and theatre only grew stronger and she became associated with Ibtida, the dramatics society in her college, founded by acclaimed director Imtiaz Ali. During that time, she had got an opportunity to attend a workshop organized by FTII on film appreciation, which brought her closer to her passion. She made around 10 short films that she uploaded on her YouTube channel. “My love for film-making, theatre, travelling, singing, dancing and sketching has kept me going,” she had remarked.

With opportunities to be a part of productions by NSD pass-outs and Asmita Theatre Group, Preeti kept on polishing her acting skills, and bagged several best actor awards in theatre. After passing out of college in 2022, the youngster pursued a PG diploma in animation and cinema from Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute.

Finding the break

When actors Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal announced the launch of their production house Pushing Buttons Studios, they chose ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ as their first production and found French as well as other Indian producers to co-produce the project.

Preeti, who had started turning heads in theatre circles, was selected as a lead in the mother-daughter story that explored female sexuality, and went on to earn critical acclaim. The jury at the Sundance Festival was impressed with Preeti, who portrayed a frank, sweet, and vulnerable teenager to perfection.

‘Girls Will Be Girls’ team

Since 1985 Sundance Film Festival, an initiative of the nonprofit Sundance Institute brings together original storytellers and audiences seeking fresh perspectives and new voices. Getting recognised at such a platform has led artists and filmmakers to earn global acclaim. Preeti Panigrahi’s journey on the silver screen has just begun and in what way!

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Published on 02, Feb 2024

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Anjali Sharma: Leading the fight for climate justice in Australia

(October 8, 2024) "At the age of 16, I sued the government of Australia. I was the lead litigant in the Sharma and Minister for the Environment Class Action, which took the then Environment Minister Susan Lee to court, arguing that she owed, and was breaching, a duty of care to young people to protect us from the impacts of climate change," were Anjali Sharma's opening words at TEDxYouth Sydney. Now at the age of 19, as she is balancing her second year of law studies at the Australian National University in Canberra, her fight for climate justice is far from over. Far from the typical university experience, Anjali is at the forefront of a fight that could reshape how Australia tackles climate change. Her current mission? Rallying support for the Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity Bill 2023. This proposed amendment aims to make the government responsible for the long-term effects of its climate decisions, especially those involving fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. For Anjali, it's not just about changing a law—it's a personal mission to make sure future generations have a healthy planet to live on. [caption id="attachment_39795" align="aligncenter" width="584"] Anjali Sharma[/caption] From childhood in

ll wp-image-39795" src="https://www.globalindian.com/youth/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/anjali1.webp" alt="Anjali Sharma | Global Indian" width="584" height="389" /> Anjali Sharma[/caption]

From childhood in India to climate crusader in Australia

But before Anjali Sharma became the poised and passionate advocate addressing large crowds and challenging ministers, she was a baby cradled in her mother's arms, moving from India to Australia at just ten months old. Born in India — a country she recognises as being on the frontline of climate change — her family emigrated to Melbourne, where she grew up as part of the thriving Indian diaspora - which is Australia's second largest and fastest growing overseas group. From a young age, Anjali saw the clear differences between the landscapes of India and Australia. However, it was only later that she realised how climate change made the inequalities between these two places even worse.

Anjali's path to activism wasn't sparked by a single dramatic event, instead it was a slow realisation. It all began when Anjali was 12 and visited India and felt guilty seeing how vulnerable her family and neighbors in Lucknow were to the harsh realities of climate change, like severe storms, extreme heat, and crumbling buildings. She felt it was unfair that she was safe when other's weren't. The trip ignited a sense of responsibility in her. However, she soon realised that she wasn't safe in Australia too after the 2019-20 bushfire left millions feeling anxious and unsettled. "There's not a single person, especially in the east of the country, who wasn’t touched by that. We still talk about seeing the sky orange for days, the thick blanket of smoke which made it so hard to go outside and just breathe," the Global Indian said in an interview. This led her to take more tangible action, setting the stage for her later lawsuit against the Australian government.

A personal journey: The awakening of a young activist

At 16, she took an extraordinary step when Anjali, along with seven other teens, sued the Federal Environment Minister in a landmark case that argued the government had a duty of care to protect young people from the risks of climate change. The Federal Court initially sided with Anjali and her group, stating that the Environment Minister had a duty to protect younger generations. However, this victory was short-lived because the government appealed the decision and overturned it in 2022. It was a hard blow for Sharma, but she didn’t let it stop her. "On one hand, we're urged to be the change we want to see in the world, but when it comes to advocacy, we're put in a box," she said in TedTalk.

Instead of letting her frustration hold her back, Anjali Sharma focused on more advocacy work, this time aiming at changing laws. She has been working hard to promote the Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity Bill 2023, which seeks to fix gaps in climate policy. This bill ensures that future decisions about coal, oil, and gas exploration consider the health and well-being of young Australians and future generations. Despite facing many challenges in Parliament, Anjali remains determined to see the bill succeed.

Legislative change: Fighting for future generations

Anjali's story is a strong example of climate activism, which means raising awareness and urging governments, companies, and communities to take quick and meaningful actions against climate change. At its core, climate activism aims to address the urgent need for changes in how societies interact with the environment, especially in how they take and use natural resources. It calls for big changes to ensure a sustainable future for everyone. "Young people need to know that you don't need to be the perfect activist…firstly, be aware of the injustice of the issue, and then be willing to use the skills that you already have to make a difference," she added.

For Anjali, climate activism is a way to deal with the overwhelming worry that many young people have about the future. This feeling, known as climate anxiety, is common among today’s youth. A 2020 study found that 78 percent of Australians aged 10 to 24 are very concerned about climate change, and this feeling is shared by teens worldwide. However, her activism offers hope for both herself and others. Her courage to take action against the odds proves that young people can truly make a difference.

For Sharma, climate activism has been a way to confront the overwhelming anxiety that many young people feel about the future. Known as climate anxiety, this chronic fear of environmental disaster is widespread among today's youth. In fact, a 2020 study found that 78% of Australians aged 10-24 are deeply concerned about climate change, a sentiment echoed by teens around the world. Yet, Sharma’s activism is a source of hope, both for herself and for others. Her ability to stand up and take action against the odds shows that even young people can make a difference.

Anjali Sharma is part of a growing group of young Indian diaspora activists in Australia. The Indian community, connected to one of the most climate-affected areas in the world, offers a unique viewpoint in the global climate movement. Many of these young activists, including Sharma, feel a responsibility not only to their new home but also to their homeland, which is still suffering from the severe effects of climate change. This dual sense of belonging and duty is fueling a new wave of activism that crosses borders and cultures.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjcv_7LNKqQ

As Anjali Sharma continues her fight for climate justice, she carries the hopes of her peers and the legacy of her ancestors. She is a shining example of the power of youth activism, showing that age doesn’t stop anyone from making real, lasting change. Her journey, from her childhood in Lucknow to her groundbreaking legal battles in Australia, serves as an inspiring reminder that the future is not something to fear—it’s something worth fighting for.

As Anjali Sharma continues her fight for climate justice, she carries the hopes of her peers and the weight of her ancestors’ legacy. She embodies the power of youth activism, proving that age doesn’t limit one’s ability to create real, lasting change. Her journey, from her early years in Lucknow to her groundbreaking legal battles in Australia, serves as an inspiring reminder that the future is not something to fear—it is something to fight for.

Follow Anjali Sharma on LinkedIn

Olympic Dreams: Tennis champ Shrivalli wants to bring home the gold

(December 22, 2022) Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, who was crowned the national hardcourt tennis champion (women’s singles) 2021, was 11 when she first held a tennis racket in her hand. Calling herself an “accidental” tennis player, Shrivalli was introduced to the game at the Lal Bahadur stadium in Hyderabad. “I was just 11 years old and frankly, I only noticed the clothes of the kids who were playing at the stadium,” laughs the 20-year-old tennis star during an interview with Global Indian. “I told my father that I wanted to play because I also wanted to wear those clothes,” she adds. [caption id="attachment_25691" align="aligncenter" width="675"] Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty, tennis player[/caption] However, Shrivalli has come a long way since then. The right-handed tennis star, recently recorded twin victories as she entered the singles quarterfinals and doubles semi-finals of the Balaji Amines Solapur Open Women’s ITF $25K Tennis Tournament held in Solapur. The player is currently doing her degree at St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, has also won numerous titles, including ITF Women’s (doubles) $15000 – 2022 held in Gurugram. She was also a semi-finalist at the ITF Women’s (singles) $15000 – 2022, Ahmedabad. Making of a champion Born to two sports

ee at St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, has also won numerous titles, including ITF Women’s (doubles) $15000 – 2022 held in Gurugram. She was also a semi-finalist at the ITF Women’s (singles) $15000 – 2022, Ahmedabad.

Making of a champion

Born to two sports players – her father being a cricketer and mother a national-level basketball player – Shrivalli was always encouraged to play sports. “I was a very active child, mostly because my parents were into outdoor activities. My father, especially, is a sports freak. He encouraged me to pick up an extra-curricular activity in school,” shares the tennis star, who is also a trained Carnatic singer.

While she took part in various sports, including swimming and roller skating, tennis was her ‘one true love’. And once she started training, it did not take the coaches at the LB stadium much time to realise that Shrivalli was a gifted player.

“For the first year, I went to the stadium to just have fun. I was the most talkative kid in the stadium, who loved picking up balls more than hitting them,” she laughs, adding, “But one day when my father had come to pick me up, one of the coaches asked him if I would like to take up the sport professionally. After coming home, my father posed the same question. In fact, I remember he warned me that it would be a tough journey. I was about 12 years old and didn’t really understand what was so tough about playing tennis. So, I just said yes,” the tennis player recalls.

Even as she worked hard to win every tournament, she did not forget to enjoy her childhood. Although she was a good student, she was also a trouble-maker in class. “I was a notorious student. A few friends and I would bunk classes together. We would never leave the school premises, but we just would not attend the classes some times. Since I was very talkative, the teachers would sometimes even kick me out of the class. But I was a good student, my grades were really good. And I’d win gold in almost every tournament, so my teachers and principal were happy with me,” smiles the tennis champ.

When the going gets tough

During her initial years, the tennis player won several medals, including the national title 2014-15, and under-18 petit camp open doubles in Mauritius in 2016. However, like every player she had to face some tough losses as well. While she recognised her potential as a player, Shrivalli learnt a lot from the matches she couldn’t win.

[caption id="attachment_25692" align="aligncenter" width="649"] Shrivalli with her parents[/caption]

“I knew right from the beginning that I was able to do something extraordinary, something not everyone could do. As a junior, I wasn’t much of a performing kid. So, I would constantly put pressure on myself to perform well. And when I didn’t, the losses hit me very hard. Also, the other tennis players my age were performing really well, and I would inadvertently compare myself with them. In almost every tournament, even before the draw was out, I would freak out,” shares the young player.

For two years, Shrivalli constantly struggled with self-doubt which affected her game. Explaining how important it is to be mentally strong to win the games, the tennis player adds, “I did go to a psychologist subsequently and that helped me a lot. I started concentrating on my game more than the outcomes. So, as I moved towards my under-18s, my game improved a lot.” Her parents, Shrivalli says, were very supportive through her journey, and never once put pressure on her.

Olympic dreams

One of her biggest victories was defeating Rutuja Bhosale at the ITF $25K Pune R1 – 2021. That instilled a great deal of confidence in her. “I think all players feel nervous before a match. I do too. But I am confident now that I can play against, and defeat, any player,” remarks Shrivalli, who is very inspired by Novak Djokovic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXWeyVQPQls

Shrivalli dreams of representing India at the Olympics and works at her aspirations without compromise. Her day begins at 4.15 am and training continues for between five and six hours a day. And along the way, she hopes to win as many cups as she can for her country. “I will be participating in several upcoming national and international tournament. But a dream come true will be representing India at the Olympics and winning gold for the country,” says the tennis star, who loves cooking or baking in her free time.

Reading Time: 6 mins

Vibha Janakiraman: The violinist who enchanted the White House

(July 1, 2023) In a harmonious convergence of diplomacy and artistic brilliance, the corridors of power at the White House resonated with the enchanting melodies of 17-year-old Vibha Janakiraman, a young Indian American prodigious young violinist. Amidst the distinguished guests and the grandeur of a state dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden, it was the sublime talent of this 2023 US Presidential Scholar in the Arts that captivated all who were present. The youngster, who has graced illustrious stages with her mesmerising performances for years, masterfully rendered Kreisler's enchanting Recitativo and Scherzo at the White House, casting an ethereal spell upon the audience gathered for this momentous occasion. Speaking to the media after her performance, the violinist said, "It was such a privilege to play at the White House and to be a representation of Indian Americans everywhere! I had the most inspiring view: the Jefferson Memorial directly in front of me and the Washington Monument off to the side. I tried to soak in every moment of that experience, using silences between phrases to allow the beautiful location to be a part of my music-making. I will treasure this forever, and I am so grateful to the people

ument off to the side. I tried to soak in every moment of that experience, using silences between phrases to allow the beautiful location to be a part of my music-making. I will treasure this forever, and I am so grateful to the people and mentors that made this possible."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyNZqm3Q-_U

One among that audience was the First Lady of the USA, Jill Biden, who took to Twitter to praise the grace and finesse of this young virtuoso. Sharing a photograph of Vibha, Jill Biden tweeted, "Vibha Janakiraman, a youth violinist and 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts kicked off the Official State Visit for the Republic of India today. Vibha honored her cultural connection to Western classical and South Indian classical music for guests at the White House (sic)."

Melodic majesty

Inspired by her grandfather - who is also a prominent Carnatic classical musician and stage performer - Vibha embarked on her musical odyssey at the tender age of six, when she started learning violin and Carnatic music under his guidance. However, growing up in West Chester, Pennsylvania, the youngster was heavily influenced by Western classical music as well.

"I always liked music, and grew up surrounded by music as my grandfather is a professional South Indian musician and musicologist," the violinist said during an interview, adding, "When I was about six, my parents decided that it would be good for me to learn a musical instrument, and violin was the most well-known instrument at the time for me. So, we went to the Music School of Delaware, and signed me up for the violin classes there. Since the first class, the violin has been a core part of my life. I feel that it is not the instrument that makes as much of a difference to me as just being able to play music."

From the Top · 15-year-old violinist Vibha Janakiraman

The violinist, who recently graduated from the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School, is now gearing up to embark on her bachelor's degree journey at Juilliard School’s pre-college division this year, under the tutelage of the distinguished Catherine Cho and the legendary Itzhak Perlman. The Global Indian currently performs on a loaned 1855 Jean Baptiste Vuillaume violin, graciously provided by the Tarisio Trust.

It's a musical world...

An academic genius, who loves to study mathematics and Sanskrit, the young violinist finds music in every aspect of her life. "Even when I am not playing the violin, I am usually doing something musical or listening to music," the violinist shared, "I think it is because of my Carnatic music training, I am drawn to the Sanskrit language. I find it intellectually stimulating and quite beautiful. I feel it's a great way for me to connect with my culture, but also studying a language like Sanskrit, which has so many intricacies is also just very interesting."

[caption id="attachment_31540" align="aligncenter" width="646"] Vibha performing at the White House[/caption]

The violinist, who has on the Estella Hillersohn 2018 scholarship and the 2019 Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra competition, has previously played with the Gray Charitable Trust Advanced Scholarship Piano Trio at the Settlement School and has performed as a soloist with several orchestras in the Philadelphia region. In her message to young musicians across the globe, the youngster said, "I think it is important that one finds which aspects of music, or which medium resonates with you the most, and what brings you the most joy. Use that as a reason to always remember why you do what you do. Because when you are playing an instrument there will always be several periods when things aren't going the way you want or you might feel like your progress isn't how you planned it to be. So, for those days, it is helpful to know what I love about music and why I am pursuing it."

Follow Vibha Janakiraman on YouTube and Instagram

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How artform torchbearer Hemlata Kabdwal’s intricate ‘Aipan’ restores the village craft

(March 29, 2022) Invoking good tidings is an inherent part of Indian culture. The oft-seen delicate rangoli motifs at entrances of homes add artistic ethos which sometimes lie forgotten. This native of Satoli, 12 km from Mukteshwar, saw this lack of regard for an indigenous artform called Aipan, and preserved it for future generations. Hemlata Kabdwal used to see her mother and elder sister delicately tracing Aipan, a ritualistic folk art of Uttarakhand. “Aipan is made at the entrance of every house on auspicious occasions, and festivals. Not content with the artform confined to just our region, I wanted to popularise it far and wide,” says Hemlata Kabdwal in an interview with Global Indian. Aipan is made by Kumaoni women at the entrance of their homes. The belief is that it invokes a divine power which brings about good fortune and deters evil akin to rangoli. [caption id="attachment_13674" align="aligncenter" width="626"] Hemlata Kabdwal, Aipan artist[/caption] Hemlata was listed in the Champion Book of World Records for creating the most aipan artifacts. The 22-year-old is also the recipient of the National Women Pride Award from Navbharat Rashtriya Gyanpeeth (2022), a charitable organisation. “Since we cannot showcase entrances of our homes and temples

obal Indian" width="626" height="724" /> Hemlata Kabdwal, Aipan artist[/caption]

Hemlata was listed in the Champion Book of World Records for creating the most aipan artifacts. The 22-year-old is also the recipient of the National Women Pride Award from Navbharat Rashtriya Gyanpeeth (2022), a charitable organisation.

“Since we cannot showcase entrances of our homes and temples to highlight the beauty of Aipan, I started experimenting on clothes, bags, diary covers, and key rings to share its beauty,” says the artform’s torchbearer.

Goodness on the way

The stars shone on Hemlata as owner Lokesh Lohani, Woodhouse Farm in Satoli, became captivated with her ideas. His space, a hub for tourists, was a perfect space for what he thought were Hemlata’s good intentions, to set up a gallery. Suddenly, the folk artiste was mesmerising tourists. Actor Manoj Bajpayee, playback singer, Maithili Thakur, and others visited Satoli, discovered Hemlata’s Aipan and were wonderstruck. “My work has a market in Delhi and Mumbai, and it has also reached former union minister, Prakash Javedkar who showered praise too,” smiles the artform torchbearer.

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A post shared by Aipan ki duniya🥰 (@hemlatakabdwal)

Social media played a big role too, and soon Aipan was being popularised on Facebook, Instagram, etc. Promoting it through training sessions on zoom, she has also conducted a free physical 10-day camp to teach the nuances of Aipan in her district - 70 eager participants joined in to learn. Revenue from orders via social media have been significant, and one particular month, she recalls clocking ₹64,000 too.

Family support played a big role

The class 12 science student slowly turned to a bachelor’s in fine arts despite her family’s initial unhappiness due to meagre career prospects. However, her agriculturist father (whom she lost four years ago) was the first to understand her inclination, and gradually her mother and three siblings followed. As her village didn’t have a college, Himani, as she is fondly called, moved 70 km away to Almora to study BFA. Now in her second-year master’s in fine arts, she says, “All young girls in my village are married off after 18. I am thankful to my family who gave significance to my education and also supported my career choice.” The artform torchbearer feels spreading the word about cultural ethos has more value than just earning money, “Money can come from other sources too, what is more important is to make the culture prosper.”

[caption id="attachment_13672" align="aligncenter" width="864"] Hemlata with her mother[/caption]

Aipan never takes a backseat

At Himani’s Almora college, she religiously devotes a couple of hours to Aipan. For her gallery at Satoli, her brothers pitch in during class, but soon, she ambles back to helm it. She never hesitates from spreading the word about her fine arts peers’ artworks to potential customers.

Good gestures have a special place

Hemlata beams recalling the first person who showed interest in her work while she was in school. The tourist even took her Aipan creations back. Chuffed at the idea of her craft getting its own identity across the country, Himani gave it free then. The next time the tourist visited, she was generously gifted colours and tools. Motivated, Aipan soon became her calling.

An online connect with Gattam Venkatesh, an artist from Vishakhapatnam who is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records, led her to greener pastures. Venkatesh had approached her for an artwork for his studio, this chance association flourished into a mentorship - How to project oneself and publicise work. Her elder sister is a huge inspiration too.

Come what may…

Himani rues the fact that though her art is appreciated in Delhi and Mumbai, people in her own village take her achievements for granted. “The more they try to hush away my achievements, the more determined I become to take Aipan to greater heights,” chuckles Hemlata. Miffed that copies of her artworks are being sold by fly by night hawkers to tourists, the fact that she has been unable to copyright her art saddens her.

Of course, this also sullies her original work - her artwork priced at ₹8,000 was digitised and sold by a hawker at ₹1,800. “It’s easy to get my creations online, you just type ‘Hemlata,’ you’ll find me,” smiles the artform torchbearer.

Himani wants to do a PhD in fine arts, and dreams of becoming a lecturer. Her second love, animals, inspires her to set up animal rescue centres too. “I had an inclination towards performing in dramas but Aipan took over,” says the unapologetic folk artist.

Follow Hemlata on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter

Reading Time: 5 mins

Anshita Mehrotra: Revolutionising hair care with Fix My Curls

(January 28, 2024) When she was just 19, Anshita Mehrotra, a student, was on a winter break at her Varanasi home. Having curly hair, she did a casual Google search on curly hair products that gave her empty results, and anything available was ridiculously expensive. She realised, in an epiphany, that curly hair is rarely represented in pop culture, media, or even on beauty racks on stores. The wide gap in the haircare market for curly hair was evident and Anshita decided she would provide a solution. Childhood Nostalgia As a kid, Mehrotra was very interested in pop culture, writing, reading and storytelling. She studied at Pathways World School Aravali, and she admits that this experience shaped her into who she is today. “I loved fiction books, diving deep into stories that were far off from my actual life, it was my way of relaxing. I initially thought I would grow up to write, and I did write a collection of poetry in college which I self-published later, titled ‘Love Comes Full Circle’ at 19,” she reminisces. At home on a college winter break she realised that she had no products for textured curls, or wavy Indian hair. “I realised

red curls, or wavy Indian hair. “I realised no one in our country saw curly or wavy hair as worthy of being taken care of, so I felt very strongly about it and began researching formulations. I took the semester off, and realised I wanted to make Fix My Curls much bigger than what I had initially thought,” she says.

Safe ways

That’s how Mehrotra started working on her product, Fix My Curls, whose main USP is specially-crafted formula meant for curly and wavy hair, which is also free from silicone, sulphates, paraben, waxes, mineral oil and drying alcohols, as they can worsen the dry, frizzy tendencies of textured hair. “We choose softer, balanced formulations that use butters, oils, and naturally occurring cleansing agents that are not as harsh as those in the mass market to care for our curly headed customers. With upto eight rounds of formulating per product, we take anywhere from 6-8 months to launch each product, to make sure we get it just right. We also pride ourselves on choosing ingredients from France, and Germany as well as locally sourcing from India when it makes sense,” says Mehrotra.

Growing together

Women all over the world are turning their problems into multi-million dollar businesses. “They are the ones who go back home and manage the house and get back up to go manage their empire. I especially admire women venture capitalists that are pushing the notion that women led ideas and businesses deserve funding now more than ever. My biggest inspiration would be my mother, Shaily Mehrotra, she runs Fixderma and has taught me some invaluable lessons on making sure product is king,” says Mehrotra.

Now, curly hair products are flooding the market, which Mehrotra sees as a positive sign. “I love it, in fact we encourage more and more brands to enter this space because it helps us further educate and grow the market,” she says. And while it’s not an easy journey, it’s worth it, she remarks. “Our once-niche segment is now thriving and gives our customers so many options and communities to feel like they belong. At the end of the day that is our goal, to give them a space where they feel good about their natural hair, curly, wavy, or coily,” she adds.

Building communities

She plans to make Fix My Curls a community-driven brand and says that she loves her customers and trusts their instinct on the product and what they should make as they move forward. “They drive the brand and have supported us immensely, so we look to make the product experience the best for them as we move forward. We also plan to begin our offline retail journey with salons and are present in Shoppers Stop branches across India currently. We also aim to make sure quick commerce is PAN India for us through BlinkIt and Swiggy Instamart so our customers never have to wait for the product,” she says. The brand has also begun their journey into the US market with the help of CurlsMonthly, a monthly subscription service that gives curly hair products from all over the globe to their customers to try before they buy. “We still have to properly set up distribution in the US but Amazon has been a great help in getting us there because they've made it incredibly easy to onboard and sell the product. We have also always made sure we are compliant, and our formulations are approved by FDA standards to be sold in the US. We aim to work much harder this year to reach that market the best we can,” she explains.

Learning lessons

Anshita Mehrotra usually takes challenges one day at a time and says that she has learnt the valuable lesson of worrying only about what is right in front of you, rather than worrying for the future as that is not here yet. Basic operational and supply chain challenges are most common in the personal care industry, and take time and consistency to move through, Mehrotra has learned, in her journey with Fix My Curls. “I have learnt many lessons, but there have been some that have stuck. Your gut will make some of the best business decisions for you, but knowing to listen to it is when it can be hard. Say no more often than yes. Don't work with everyone, it's not worth your time,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_35495" align="aligncenter" width="554"] Anshita Mehrotra, founder, Fix My Curls[/caption]

In her free time, Anshita Mehrotra loves trying new coffee shops, Pilates classes, tennis lessons with a coach, reading fiction fantasy books, and cooking. “I also love going on the hunt for authentic Japanese and Korean eatery spots in Delhi NCR with my friends,” she says. The 24 year old is taking giant strides in the cosmetic industry by catering to a niche that has been seldom explored and this reflects her business acumen that belies her age.

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