There are things about home (Manipur) that Lin Laishram, the only Manipuri to have ventured into Bollywood, is unlikely to forget – the frequent load shedding, the ethnic feuds and the militancy menace that gripped the state almost to the point of collapse. Like many others, she left home early looking for greener pastures. At nine, Lin went to live with her aunt in Dimapur, the commercial centre of Nagaland where she did her elementary schooling. Since she took up archery at an early age, perhaps inspired by her sport enthusiast father who played tennis, Lin attended the Tata Archery Academy at Jamshedpur. This was followed by graduation in Mumbai and then a big ticket to New York as the brand ambassador of Ozoru Jewellery, a New York-based jewellery brand. After four years of glitzy life on the New York ramps with renowned photographers, make-up artistes and stylists, she headed back to Mumbai and landed with cameos in movies like Mary Kom, Om Shanti Om and Rangoon, to name a few. Recently, she played the role of the main protagonist in the Nicholas Kharkongor directed comedy-drama, Axone. The much acclaimed film revolves around a day in the life of a group of friends from the Northeast living in Delhi.

In a candid conversation, model-actor Lin Laishram speaks about her journey from the New York modelling scene to the arc lights of Bollywood and finally finding her feet on the ground.

What’s the turning point of your life? What changed immediately after signing up with an agency?

I never expected being signed with an agency would take me this far. When I joined modeling, it was a part time thing for me – something you do in college. I got signed by Elite Modelling Agency and the shoots began right away. It was a full time job and it changed my entire perspective about modeling – I realised then that it was important to care of myself both physically and mentally, being punctual, the travel, everything – including bringing my waist size down. The entire package must always be in top gear.

One of my biggest highs was walking for 15 designers for the Delhi Fashion Week. In one week I walked for big names like Raghuvendra Rathore, Tarun Tahiliani, Nikhil and Shantanu and more. That was a big break. What followed was part of a sequence in Om Shanti Om.

What are your memories of home? What words of wisdom of your mother guide you to this day?

At home, the pressure was on education and getting conventional jobs. My mother often emphasised on the importance of moving beyond looks. Her words hold me in good stead even today. As I am growing both personally and professionally, I am beginning to understand that it is not always about playing the role of a pretty girl. It is also about understanding a role and playing it with intelligence. In retrospect, my mother’s advice was a very sound one.

The four years in New York was a lot of learning and I imbibed as much as I could. It was all quite exciting for me then. But it does get to you and you start missing home. My parents would come to visit me but I wanted to come back to Mumbai and acting.

Coming back was different. I was done with modeling then. I focused on attended acting workshops and joined Naseeruddin Shah’s theatre group, Motley.  Learning theatre helps you but does not necessarily give you a better understanding of cinema.

A project like Axone is important and critical to narrate a very obvious story in the language of a creative director like Nicholas. What were the high points/moments of working in the film? What were the challenges?

There were lots of challenges. First of all, it was shot in Delhi during summer. The shooting was in a crammed place in Humayunpur. We had to cut down on so many things because it was being made on a shoestring budget. I did it for the great script. Nobody has written something like this – so intrinsically real in such a creative way. Bollywood has never written a script about our people, so this was special. Nearly 70-80 per cent of the cast were from the Northeast. It was shot in less than one month with an average working day of 15 hours in the heat with no air-conditioner.

Playing Chanbi itself was a big challenge. I am nowhere like her in real life. I do not pick fights. Chanbi is a strong headed woman who is pushy and dominating. To bring alive such qualities that were not mine, was tough. To work on the character and immerse myself completely in the role was a high point. Earlier, I did small roles in Rangoon and Om Shanti Om. This film gave me the platform to act. I lived the character and enjoyed it.

Do you think the movie has in some way educated/sensitised the masses about a region that’s completely neglected and little known?

I definitely do not expect a boy from a slum/uneducated to understand where Northeast is. If he calls me ‘chowmein’ derogatorily I will forgive his ignorance. Rather I will explain his folly to him. But if people living in an air-conditioned environment and supposedly educated do not know, despite having had the opportunity to learn about their own country, now that would upset me. Many people have written to me, sent me apology letters, thanking me for what the movie has done. We need such education.

Also we are always so critical about minority jokes yet they exist. What is important is to make people aware of other cultures. We need to coexist. African Americans have been fighting against this and still do. It is a sensitive topic. It is important to be positive but these issues need to be addressed. There are several other issues that we could not cover in Axone. After all it was not a documentary.

How do you take criticism especially after the movie? Do you think they were unfair?

I have been bold, confident and open about what I do. I have modelled for a calendar, have worn clothes that no Manipuri has worn and I am ever evolving. Initially criticism affected me, but not any longer. People talk. They have something bad to say about everything – my life, my choice of life partner. If 10 people are speaking negatively about me 90 people are supporting me, especially, after Axone.  My career is my choice and criticism is not going to stop me from working. I am an artist and I belong to the world.

Being rooted is something you are proud of. In your words  “ I never touch lost with my roots. I am very clear about where I come from. I love my people and my language.” Do you think this sense of awareness is one of the biggest anchors to find your way and discern things in a flimsy industry like Bollywood?

Staying true to where I belong came much later in life. I got lost somewhere in between my staying in different states and then living in New York. Becoming an actor brought me back to my roots. I did not have much interaction with people back home and only travelled once in two years. It was, therefore, easy to drift away. When I did the acting workshop I understood the criticality of understanding my roots and my language. It dawn on me that I was not just an exotic Asian actor, but much more. Deep down, I realise that somewhere, at heart I always carried my identity. For instance, during cultural exchange with friends in New York, I cooked Manipuri food!

What does it take to stay calm and collected? How important is that to you?

Meditation and yoga is part of my life. Since I am a trained archer, meditation is a part of my system, since focus is critical in archery. Staying mentally fit helped me get away from the pressures of life. I did suffer with my mental health three years ago, leading to a break down. It was difficult. Sometimes living in a congested city like Mumbai also adds to the stress level. Lack of work and motivation can be killing. I dealt with it all. They helped me become stronger. I am not the person I used to be six months ago. I am more compassionate and understanding.

Your journey from Manipur to Bollywood has been a long and winding one. What makes it worthwhile and satisfying?

It has taught me to be independent. Since I was in a hostel, I took care of myself from a young age. Staying away from home makes one realise how important home and life can be. My parents help me grow as a person. I miss them. Valuing my people is very important to me, everything else is transitory.

Your home venture — Shamoo Sana – a line of fashion jwellery is taking off well. What is the market you are concentrating on?

I started my venture three years ago. I have always wanted to start a business of my own. It felt like the most natural thing to do as I am interested in aesthetic jewellery. I first designed an earring for my mom and she was so happy. She pushed me to start my own venture. I experiment a lot and my designs are an amalgamation of different places and time. My designs are ready-to-wear, easy on the pocket and completely funky and stylish. They are being manufactured in Mumbai and the raw material is procured from different places like Thailand. A huge chunk of the designs are also made in Manipur. We have a few stores and are working on more.

Who is your mentor?

Neeraj Kabi, theatre actor and director is my mentor. He is my acting guide and life coach. I have been associated with him for the longest time. 

Story Partner: Media9