Undeterred by naysayersâand en route to embracing her best selfâ25-year-old actor Anjali Sivaramanand model is gearing up for a promising future.
Cosmo India: Walk us through your creative process while prepping for a role...
Anjali Sivaraman: âFor my first film, Cobalt Blue [2022], I prepped for three to six months; I took up language and dialect coaching, worked out thrice a day, and followed a strict diet plan. I had to work on my voice modulation to make it slightly deeper and less nasal, and also change my body language to match that of Anuja Dixitâs [the character]. It was a very intensive process. The role of Suhani, in Class [2023], was also very intense... I did not want to immerse myself in it completely, because I think I am too new to be able to navigate through that. So, as soon as the director would call âcutâ, I would tune out of the character... I prefer experimenting and going with the flow until I figure out what works best for me.â
C: There is a dearth of authenticity online... How do you keep it real on social media?
AS: âThe pictures that I post on social media are glamorous, simply because that is the nature of the industry I am in...so I try to keep it professional on my feed. But when it comes to my Instagram stories and addressing my followers, I keep it real, because I donât want to portray an inauthentic persona. I donât want people to assume that I am someone I am not. There are so many impressionable people on the Internet, you know? I donât ever want to be responsible for steering anyone the wrong way.âÂ
C: Cinema allows for creative self-expression. Has your craft taught you things about yourself that you didnât already know?
AS: âYes, it most definitely has. It has taught me that I am a lot stronger than I believe I am, and that if I put my mind to something, I can achieve it all. I know how to protect myself, and I will always do so...this is probably one of my greatest strengths that nobody can snatch away fromÂ
me.â
C: How would you describe your personal style?
AS: âI will always choose comfort over fashion. For instance, I would pick sneakers over heels... I feel my personal style has improved drastically over the last few yearsâfor which I have some fashionable friends and family to thank. And when it comes to dresses, I rarely say no.â
C: What is the one thing not many people know about you?
AS: âIâm not a people-personâI get very self-conscious and uncomfortable, especially if someone comes up to compliment me or ask me for a picture...I often donât know how to react. I am extremely shy and introverted. But the other day, I was told that I handled a situation better than I would have otherwise...so IâmÂ
getting better.â
C: Tell us how you deal with criticism...
AS: âSo far, criticism hasnât really bothered me. I think the only criticism I will ever take seriously will be the criticism I receive from thoseÂ
who matter to me.âÂ
C: How do you view fame?
AS: âHonestly, Iâm not so sure. Fame has never been a priority for me. When entering the film industry, I know a lot of people desire all that comes with itâthe glitz and glamour, the fame, and the appreciation. But Iâve never paid much attention to it, because, as I mentioned earlier, I am rather introverted and self-conscious. For me, itâs always been about the joys of acting and performing. But of course, I wouldnât mind the appreciation, too [laughs].â
C. You mentioned that you tend to get self-conscious...how do you overcome this feeling when onÂ
camera?
AS: âIn the early stages of my modelling career, I was extremely uncomfortable in front of the camera, because I didnât know my angles. And, you know, Iâm a slightly curvier girlâlike Iâm not a typical size zero...so I was always very self-conscious, and experienced body dysmorphia. This made things a lot more intense in my head. So, I began practising in front of the mirror... I see what works for my body, and what feels comfortable. And when it comes down to being in front of the camera, I take a deep breath to clear my mind and get into the skin of the character.âÂ
C: What makes you upset?
AS: âI donât appreciate it when people are cruel to each other, to animals, or to the environment for sadisticÂ
pleasure.â
C: Lastly, how do you live an unapologetic life?
AS: âI live unapologetically by being true to myself... The motto I live by is that no matter how self-conscious or low I feel, I will never change myself for anybody. I donât know how to fake it, and I donât know how to be anyone else but me.âÂ
Outfit courtesy:
Image 1:Â On Anjali Sivaraman:Â Long sleeve bodysuit, adidas
Image 2: On Anjali Sivaraman: Always Original Trench Coat, Monogram Thin Crew Socks, and Forum Low Shoes, all adidasÂ
Image 3: On Anuv Jaini: Adicolor Neuclassics Sweatpants, Adicolor Neuclassics Windbreaker, Samba Vegan Shoes, Performanced cushioned mid-cut socks, all adidas; On Kayan: Dungarees, rib tank top, and Gazelle Shoes, all adidas; On Shantanu Maheshwari: Rekive Woven Jacket, Adicolor Classics Lock Up Trefoil Trackpants, Monogram Thin Crew Socks, Ftw: adidas Superstar Shoes, all adidas; On Anjali Sivaraman: Long sleeve bodysuit, Always Original Adibreak Pants, and Forum Low Shoes, all adidas; On Ayesha Kanga: Corset, Firebird Faux Leather Track Pants, and Forum Low Shoes, all adidas
Shoot courtesy:
Photographs: Chandrahas Prabhu; Styling: Pranay Jaitly & Shounak Amonkar; Make-up: Krisann Figueiredo; Hair: Rakshanda Irani; Videographer: Ratnakar Dave; Production: P. Productions; Fashion Assistants: Shubham Jawanjal and Chaitanya Balvant