"The Day You Feel Content From Within, Consider Yourself Successful" - Deena Krupa

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1. Tell us about your background and journey. 

Am a 22-year-old Malayali put up in UAE. I spent all my life shifting between the middle east and India. At a very young age, when I took my first flight from India to Dubai, I saw this gorgeous flight attendant with the prettiest smile. Since then, I've only wanted to be a cabin crew and nothing else. 

Growing up, I kept learning many things about that industry, and after my +2, I took a two-year diploma in aviation. While doing the course, I worked for "Movenpick - Bangalore" a swiss based 5-star hotel as a "Guest relations executive". It was a fantastic experience, and I got to learn many things about customer service.

Meanwhile, I gave many interviews to different airlines, cracked almost all of them. But since BMI is a huge matter of deal to them and was my biggest issue, I never got through. Soon I had to fly back to Dubai. And I started working for a cargo shipping company as a customer service executive. 

While working there, I realized how much I hate desk work, to go to the same place every day, I found it absolutely boring. Within 6 months, just when I thought of quitting the job, I got a mail from a popular Telugu television channel offering me to participate in a show, and how did they find me? They came Across my Instagram account, where I posted all my TikTok videos. 

I instantly mailed back, accepting it, but It took quite a lot to convince my family for it. And it was worth it, one the best decisions I've taken, it changed everything in my life. And that's when I knew why I hated my job because I wasn't made to do that. Rather, I was made for this, to act and to exhibit my talent & skills. So that's where everything started. My life began to make sense to me.

2. Did you ever think or dream of being an actor? 

Since I've always wanted to be a cabin crew. Never have I  thought of being an actor. But here I am. Who knew that life would have different plans?

The first television show that introduced the industry to me changed everything. Within those three months, I knew what exactly I wanted to do with life, I knew what would make me happy. And that's when I decided what am going to take up as my career. 

3. How can one approach their career and have the confidence and belief to become an actor? 

To approach your career is to start with something first. Do anything closely related to that particular field. But START. You will never regret that decision. Take one step at a time. No matter what career you choose, there's always a roller coaster of success and failure in every little step you take, accepting and overcoming it will boost your confidence. 

Stay fit, mentally and physically. It's an add on to your confidence. Appreciate, love and believe in yourself. Set the bars higher every single day. Discipline your thoughts. Talk to yourself about why you're doing this. It'll help you have a clearer sight of your goal.

4. If not this, what would you be doing? 

I'd probably still try my luck being a cabin crew. 

5. For a complete outsider with inroads, what advice would you like to give? 

Sometimes, what you've always wanted isn't exactly what life has planned for you. It's ok even if you aren't prepared for it, just trust the universe and play along. Keep learning from every step and every person you meet in life. Different perceptions will open different doors of opportunities for you. 

Take them all, nothing wrong. Try everything you want to. That's how you know what exactly you want in life. And remember, it's NEVER too late to start anything.

6. What is your mantra of success? 

What is success exactly? For some, it's money, it's fame. To me, it's happiness and peace of mind, which you get only when you accept what you have and let go of what you don't, to be able to love and to be loved. The day you feel content from within, consider yourself successful.

7. Which is your favourite book, and why?

I use to read a lot as a teenager, and my favourite book has always been "love stories that touched my heart - Ravinder Singh".

And why? Because that book has different kinds of love stories and all of them didn't really have happy endings. But somehow, were too beautiful. My most loved story in those is "A train to my marriage". I hope one day I experience a cute little love story as such.

Interview by - Sejal