After films like Malang, Naane Varuven, and the recently-released GoodBye, actress Elli AvrRam is finally getting the love and appreciation she deserves. The Swedish-Greek actress, who shot to fame after her stint on Salman Khan-hosted reality show Bigg Boss, made her debut with Mickey Virus in 2013. She went on to star in some not-so-successful movies but eventually managed to prove her mettle as an actress.
The Verdict – State vs Nanavati actress’s journey in the Indian film industry has not been easy. For an outsider like Elli, one of the most difficult things was to get the right projects.
Women Fitness India Gets in a candid chat in our February #LoveThyself Issue with Elli AvrRam, on struggles, diets, and mental health.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Elli, you started your career as a dancer, being part of a Swedish TV Drama, and now as a Bollywood actress, what has been the most pivotal thing in your journey?
Ms. Elli AvrRam
I was part of the Pardesi dance group in Sweden but it was a hobby while I was still in school studying. And career-wise I first acted in a Swedish indie film and in India it was first as a heroine in mickey virus. The most pivotal thing in my journey has been consistency and hard work.
FULL INTERVIEW ON THE NEXT PAGE!
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.org, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar
You have been part of reality shows and fictional shows, which genre of work is your favorite?
Ms. Elli AvrRam
I started my career as an actress and I was part of the Big Boss reality show at the time my film was released. It was a great thing for me that happened because I suddenly became a popular household name in India. The amount of love and support I got, is the reason for me being here today! After the big boss, I did Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoo with duo directors Abbas-Mustan sir which became a huge success at the Box office.
Since then I’ve kept working hard on making a mark in the Indian film industry. I came here to act because that’s what my passion is, being part of a reality show was just a step to showing the industry that I exist.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
You recently worked with Amitabh Bachan in Goodbye, how was your experience?
Ms. Elli AvrRam
My experience was amazing, Bachchan sir is so professional and fun also! It was literally surreal to get to act opposite sir and see myself on the screen with him. A proud moment in my career, where I feel every bit of my struggle has been so worth it. My parents just watched the film also on Netflix and message me how proud they are of me, I think there’s no better feeling than when your parents feel proud of your work!
Ms. Namita Nayyar
You have also worked in the South Industry, what was your experience working with Dhanush? Your favorite memory from the set?
Ms. Elli AvrRam
It was a dream come true to work with Dhanush because I’ve always felt he’s an amazing actor! I learned a lot from working with him, and my entire team was amazing. Selvaraghavan sir made me discover what more I’m capable of as an actress and I feel blessed to have got an opportunity to work with this amazing duo Selvaraghavan – Dhanush! My favorite memory is when we would all sit together and eat the South Indian set food that was super yummy!! And we would eat the food on the banana leaf with our hands. I really enjoyed doing that!
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Women Fitness India talks about celebrity diets and fitness regimes, do you follow any special diet? What is your guilty pleasure in food?
Ms. Elli AvrRam
Yes, I’m off gluten, dairy products, and sugar, but my cheat meals do have all of these things in them! I love to eat pizza, fries, burgers sometimes, and of course chocolate. Otherwise, my diet is very clean, with hardly any oil, nothing is fried, and no sweets at all. I decided years back to stick to a diet that will become part of my lifestyle.
Ms. Namita Nayyar
What comprises your fitness regime? Do you go cardio workout to burn the cheat meal calories?
Ms. Elli AvrRam
Since I’m keeping a balance in my diet, there’s no need of getting stressed over a pizza one day! And that’s what has helped me to live more peacefully. Before I used to stress a lot over these things, and it was just ruining my peace of mind. When you start to eat in a healthier way and stick to it, you slowly start to enjoy eating healthy, and that makes it all easier!
Ms.Namita Nayyar:
Being the cover girl for Women Fitness India, your message for our readers who wish to make it big in the industry?
Ms. Elli AvrRam
You need to be the one who believes in yourself and not wait for others to see what you are capable of. There will be a lot of people who will try to bring you down and make you feel you don’t have it in you or don’t belong here, but be strong enough to know who you are and what you have to share with the World! Keep working hard on your skills, and your well-being especially, because if you don’t feel good from within, then that will show on your face and posture, which won’t make you shine when you go for meetings/auditions or shoot in fact!
Ms. Namita Nayyar
Lastly, how do you keep up with your mental health? How important do you feel it is to be mentally fit as compared to physical fitness?
Ms. Elli AvrRam
It’s equally important to keep our minds healthy and fit, as well as our bodies. This is something I’ve learned recently, and I believe the reason is that the awareness around this has come only these last few years. The best thing I’ve discovered is meditation. It truly helps more than what we tend to think.
Know More About Elli AvrRam
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of Women Fitness