Actress pursues Bollywood dream

At 22 years old Larissa Morar is beautiful, young and confident. A Communications Graduate at the University of Johannesburg she is one of three students in the country that was selected by IIFFSA – the Indian International Film Festival of South Africa, to attend Whistling Woods International Film School.

The IIFFSA is an annual Indian International Film Festival of South Africa aimed at promoting exchange of contemporary and cultural ideas, friendship and social development through the medium of cinema. The prime objective of IIFFSA is to bond Indian and African cultures through the glamorous world of cinema.

“I couldn’t believe it at first,” admitted Larissa.

Over the past three years she’s worked with various brands doing promotional work on television, and was a regular extra on the sets of local soapies such as Isidingo and 7de Laan.

She was given the option to choose a course to complete and decided on Motion Picture Production Planning. It was a choice, said Larissa, that will provide her with deeper insight, knowledge, skills and a stronger understanding of what goes on behind the scenes.

A former learner at Steelcrest High, Larissa applied for the scholarship by simply writing a motivational letter. In it she states that over the years has come to understand the language and can pick up the expression of emotion and dance moves.

“It has grown on me, become my passion, not only just a dream but a way of life for me. A lifestyle where I go sleep thinking about being and actress and would wake up singing, dancing and practising to be just like some of the actresses I have seen on screen.

Nothing could stop me from expressing this yearning and deep desire to act. Acting is who and what I am, what I have always been destined to do.

I wish to inspire, inform, educate and motivate these people to not be led by their circumstances but by their vision and dreams for a better future. I want to create a sense an enthusiasm for education and the power and freedom it gives to individuals.”.

Larissa is now seeking sponsorships as the three month course does not cover airfare and daily expenses. She is expected to fly to India by the end of March 2014.

And after the three months is over, what next ?

“Well the plan is to stay in India for as long as I can and pursue an acting career in Bollywood. Of course I’ll miss home, but this is an opportunity that I just cannot allow to pass. I always knew from the deepest parts of my soul, that acting and eventually working in Bollywood is my truth, my calling, my life purpose. It is like a high voltage electric current that runs through my veins.”

yaseen@mobserver.com