When little Dolly Gurmayum was dreaming up her future at her home in East Imphal, it was of her as a nurse or a school teacher. That she would be a star in Manipur’s busy film and music industry,with fans beyond the borders of her state, didn’t feature in the picture book of her life.

Talent came naturally to her. Untrained in music or acting, and with no family or sponsors to ride piggy on, all it took was a love of music and film and a social media presence for her to be spotted by the state’s leading film directors – Hemanta Khuman and Oinam Gautam Singh. Hemanta cast her in a music video, while Oinam Gautam gave her a lead role in the movie, Nungshi Lottery Faore He. Dolly had broken into Manipur’s entertainment industry.

She now has 15 video albums to her credit, an average of one million viewers and 5000 subscribers. And even as, Nungshi Lottery awaits commercial release, she has already begun working on her second movie.This is no mean feat for 24-year-old Dolly, the only child of Late Romikanta Sharma, a businessman,and Late Bharti Sharma, a government employee, in an industry that has been around since the 1970s and employs close to 10,000 people directly or indirectly.

Off-camera, Dolly is an introvert. Lights and camera make her nervous; she sometimes still ‘shivers’ before a shooting starts. But that hasn’t stopped her from wanting to act in romantic comedies.

For someone so new in the industry, Dolly displays an uncommon sense of poise. She is soft-spoken and chooses her words carefully before answering a question. “A celebrity must understand their role in society. We have a duty to stay healthy and behave responsibly,” she says.

Dolly in tells www.thenestories.com about her foray into the entertainment industry and her love for Korean serials

: So, tell us about how you entered the entertainment industry

Before my entry into cinema, I had done a lot music videos. I started making music some time in 2016; I now have over 15 albums that play on YouTube and television channels in Manipur.

My journey into music began when Da Hemanta Khuman saw some of my photographs on social media.  He called me out of the blue one day, asking if I would be interested in singing playback in one of his music videos. I am Da Hemant’s fan and I love to watch music videos. He was a popular figure and an excellent and a well-known director. So, when he called, I was elated. I agreed without hesitation and  that’s how I started off my career in the world of entertainment.

NEStories: How have people responded to your music album? Has it been worth the effort?

DOLLY – There are people who like my work. They encourage me and give me positive feedback. But there’s been criticism too. I’ve had comments like “oh you overdo it” or “you overact”  or your acting is artificial”.

In terms of earnings, there is no such thing as a fixed rate for music video artists. We are entirely at the mercy of producers and directors. There are some who pay us reasonably, while some are themselves struggling producers or directors who are not in a position to pay much. In most cases it is just “token” payment. There are times when producers are very understanding and will ensure we get our due. But there are instances when we talk about payments only when everything is complete and ready to be released. Often, we have had to remind producers to pay us. But earnings from my albums haven’t been too bad, but not that good either.

When did you get your first film break?

It was Director Da Gautam who noticed me. I don’t know how he got my contact. One fine day he called me and said, “I am Gautam, I called to asked you if you would be interested in acting in my new film.”  I didn’t think twice. Da Gautam is a popular film maker and has several good works to his credit. I told him I was interested but I warned him to be patient with me since it was going to be my first film. We fixed a meeting, I read the script and I liked it. And that is how it all began. That was in 2018.

Tell us about the film

The name of the film is Nungshi Lottery Faore He.   It is the story of a man, played by Da Shilheiba, who is torn between his lover and his betrothed. I am the love interest of the male protagonist. Kripa Lakshmi has the role of the betrothed.

The shooting and editing have been completed. The release has been halted because of the pandemic. Hopefully the film will release soon. Please do watch it.

Any other film coming up?

I have one more film to do. We haven’t start shooting.

How is acting in films different from music videos?

I’m actually very scared of acting. I’m really scared of facing the camera. In cinema I have to deliver a dialogue, which is very important. With no experience, I was shivering!

I’m not saying that a music album is easy or simple; film requires much more effort and it includes emotions and dialogue. I think cinema is harder than a music album. You have to put your mind, body and soul into it. But it has challenged me, I wanted to try it out and see if I can take off. Maybe if I deliver well, I can make a career of it, maybe I can make it big, maybe I am made for cinema.

Did you go to acting school or have any training?

No, I did not go to formal acting school. I love movies and entertainment. For me, it came naturally.

Tell us a little bit about your childhood. Were you or any members of your family active in theatre?

I did not have the opportunity to act in plays growing up. None of my close family are in the movies or active in theatre. My father was a businessman and my mother a government employee. As a child, I liked watching movies, music videos and dressing up. But I would never have thought I’d one day be acting in a full-length movie. I actually wanted to be a nurse or a teacher but couldn’t study further because my mother fell ill, and I had to take care of her. She passed away in 2014.

If not films, what career would you have chosen?

I plan to pursue a Masters’ degree in Education now. I’m no longer interested in nursing or any other professional course.

Does your family support your decision to be an actor?

We are a joint family. I live with my uncles, my father passed away long back. No one in the family is against what I do. In fact, they encourage me.

Having come this far, do you feel there’s something missing in your life?

I miss my mother. I wish she was there to accompany me to my shootings.

What genre of cinema do you enjoy? Any special actor that you would like to mention?

I watch a lot of movies - both Hollywood and Bollywood. But what I love the most are Korean serials and movies.  I love Korean drama. My favorite Korean actor is Lee Jong-suk. I watch a lot of Manipuri cinema as well. There are so many good Manipuri films, I don’t have any particular favourite. In Bollywood, I love Jacqueline Fernandes for her personality and her style.

Korean serials and movies are very popular in Manipur. Why are there so many Korean movie fans in the state?

Most Korean serials and movies that you see here are romantic dramas, which I love. Koreans serials are most engrossing and best of all, they come with sub-titles. I find I can relate to Koreans as a people. They are very smart and fashionable. Many actors in Manipur tend to follow their sense of style and fashion. I have found that if you imitate their style, it sells well here.

How was your first shooting experience?

It didn’t tire or exhaust me, perhaps because I’m a movie buff. But as I said, I am very  conscious of the camera. I’m much more confident now, though I still get goosebumps! I’m ready to do more films.

Are you anything like your character in “Nungshi Lottery Faore He” in real life?

Not at all. In Nungshi Lottery, I play a wild, carefree girl. I am exactly the opposite in real life.

What kind of role would you like to act in?

For me, it will also depend on the script. If I like the story, I will do any role. Otherwise I would prefer to play a feminine character, and definitely not a villain. I feel romantic  and feminine roles will suit me. If I had the choice, I’d love to be cast in a romantic comedy.

Story Partner: Media9