Introduction

Growing up, I always loved reading and hearing the stories of the Ramayana. I never thought one day I would actually live it.

Okay, sorry, let me back up a little bit. My name is Anika, and I'm the daughter of immigrant parents from India. My parents raised my siblings and me in a little suburb outside of Chicago. It was there that I fell in love with acting. I still remember the first play I attended at the Chicago Theatre, how enamored I was with the people on the stage and how I wondered what it must be like to get to pretend to be someone else—and get paid for it!

While my parents hoped I'd go to medical or law school, I had other plans. After high school, I worked part-time while taking every acting gig I could get. Finally, at 23 I felt ready, both emotionally and financially, to move to Los Angeles. For five years, I took small parts here and there. I hadn't had my "big break," but I was having the time of my life. I lived with two roommates and we had our own little community of actors.

When I heard that an American film company was doing an English version of the Ramayana, I knew I had to audition. I thought I could get a side part of some sort at least, and I knew my parents would be excited. The week after my audition I got a call from my agent. I had gotten a call-back for the role of Sita. After several rounds of call-backs and narrowing down from the directors, I was given the part.

Me, the daughter of Indian immigrants who was living paycheck to paycheck, the girl who loved acting but never thought she'd ever really make it. Landing this role not only was a dream come true, it also changed my life for good. Keep reading to find out how.

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