From the moment I first laid eyes on Bollywood movies, I felt an undeniable connection and knew deep down that this was the path meant for me.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
Dilraz started her modelling career at age of 13 in Sweden, in which she walked the runway for local and Scandinavian brands. After moving to Canada in 2011, her dancing career took off and she performed at IIFA Awards Toronto, Bollywood Mashup, Desifest, and worked with Bollywood celebrities for events with her dance company she had at that time, Daizy Danzers.
In 2015, Dilraz took a step in the world of acting by taking part in Punjabi Music Videos as an actor and model. After getting multiple offers and being recognized in North America for her talent and hard work, she took upon a Punjabi Film shot in Vancouver, BC called Jannataan and streaming on Zee5 OTV. She is continuing to strive in the film industry.
2. Did you ever think or dream of being an actor?
My aspiration has always been to immerse myself in the vibrant world of entertainment and the arts, as I strongly believe this is where my true calling lies. From the moment I first laid eyes on Bollywood movies, I felt an undeniable connection and knew deep down that this was the path meant for me.
With gratitude for the opportunities I've had so far and with faith in divine providence, I earnestly hope to keep receiving enriching film projects and acting roles that align with my passion, as well as the acknowledgment and acclaim that I've tirelessly strived for.
3. How can one approach their career and have the confidence and belief to become an actor?
Take classes, build on your craft and then polish it, practice different scenes and circumstances, expand your emotional toolbox everyday. Being an actor means a person needs to have a great sense of empathy and the ability of unconditional understanding, that's how they can take upon a character well. Let's say if you are doing a villain role, if you have some judgement towards the character you won't be able to do that character well.
Even if the character's decisions don't align with your personal values, an actor must put themselves in their character's shoes, and in their mind completely, with no judgement. Another practice I like to do, which is also part of my personality, is to understand why people do what they do, and their thought process, especially if it doesn't align with mine. I believe these exercises adds on an actor's craft.
4. If not this, what would you be doing?
While my primary focus is on pursuing a career in acting and being a part of the entertainment industry, I also see the value in diversifying my investments. Therefore, I plan to venture into businesses and real estate as secondary pursuits. However, even when considering alternative career paths, the thought of doing anything else feels nebulous and unfocused.
My passion and dedication to acting are so deeply ingrained that imagining a different profession is akin to navigating through a foggy landscape; the clarity and sense of purpose I experience in the realm of entertainment remain unmatched.
5. For a complete outsider with inroads, what advice would you like to give?
"If I compare our industry 10 years ago from now, there are way more opportunities now than before. So any new person can easily enter and build their career and there are plenty of projects for everyone to get started and continue striving.
That being said, it is still not easy to sustain, because you need to work on your skills and talent, taking classes and workshops and define what makes you different. Once a person has set their goals, they should do everything in their power to fulfill their dreams keeping their values in mind and not taking shortcuts."
6. What is your mantra of success?
I like to refer to an interview I saw of Vicky Kaushal in which he mentioned the ups and downs of this industry in getting projects. There may be days in which there are rejections for auditions and less progress.. but those circumstances are always just 1 phone call away for things to change. So if a lot of projects are not happening for me, I make sure to keep building on my craft, take extra courses or attend workshops, explore new ideas, and keep going.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
My favorite book is probably How to Win Friends and influence people. I used to hate reading and ironically in my teenage years, I used to work in a business library. I stumbled across this book, read a page in the middle, and just kept on reading because it was so intriguing.
This is Dilraz Sidhu. She is an actor and has more then 51k followers on Instagram.
Interviewed by - Ashmeet Kaur
Edited by- Arunangshu Chatterjee
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