Perseverance takes youngster to the heart of Indian film industry

Alisha Farrer is a new Star on the Galaxy

Venkat Raman

While thousands of young men and women land every day in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru hoping to make it in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films, success is reserved only to a few who are highly talented or fortunate or both.

While a handful begin their journey in the so-called Bollywood with anyone willing to give them an entry level opportunity, just one or two get the golden chance of being cast under a highly acclaimed banner.

Love Games

One such is Alisha Farrer, an ambitious model and actor who debuted in ‘Love Games,’ an erotic directed by Vikram Bhatt and produced by his brother Mukesh and Mahesh Bhatt.

Released on April 6, 2016, the film did well in the box-office, making Alisha an actress with the ‘luck to turn the wheel of fortune.’

However, ‘Hotel Beautifool,’ was the first film that she signed ‘three days after landing in Mumbai in September 2014 along with her father Rainer (Roly) Farrer from Perth, Australia, where she was born, raised and educated.

Parental Push

It is not common for Indian parents to enthusiastically promote the Show Business dreams of their daughters, but in the case of Alisha, her father encouraged her to ‘break free,’ go to Mumbai and give vent to her talent.

“Dad is a Christian from Delhi, and mom (Kavita) is from Punjab. They raised me and my two younger sisters Raina and Shirani with love and care but always allowed us to pursue whatever we wanted to do in our life and career. I began as a makeup artist and then went into the world of modelling in Perth. I began to explore the world,” Alisha said.

Miracle in Mumbai

It took just three days after landing in Mumbai with her father in September 2014 for Alisha to get her first break in Hindi films.

“I have heard that thousands of people from all over the world come to Mumbai and wait for months and years to just get a chance for screen test. I signed to act in ‘Hotel Beautifool’ within three days after my arrival in Mumbai. It was a miracle and I enjoyed every moment,” Alisha said speaking to Indian Newslink between shots from Mumbai.

Director Sameer Iqbal Patel was about to commence the second schedule of the film and hence Alisha’s arrival proved propitious for her.

“Show Business has been my passion since my formative years and I always wanted to be a makeup artist, dancer, model and actor. I lived in the protected world of my parents and my younger sister Raina but as a girl who loved independence, I was keen to find my way into the Hindi film industry. I am grateful to my father who was always a source of encouragement and my mother (Kavita) who supported my efforts. I have just begun my journey and look forward to milestones,” she said.

Testy First Day

Meeting people and speaking to them with objectivity is natural for Alisha, whose graduate (BA) degree in Journalism from the Curtin University and a degree from the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (both based in Perth) instilled in her confidence and courage to face audiences.

“But the first shoot was very testy,” Alisha said.

“It was the first day of shooting for ‘Hotel Beautifool,’ and I was to ask Johnny Lever questions about a painting. I was a bundle of nerves; it took 23 takes before the shot was approved by the director. I guess everyone has gone through their first camera appearance,” she said.

“This is nothing new. Almost everyone from Amitabh Bachchan to Zarina Wahab have had their fear of the lens on the first day of their shooting. In fact, actors who have dozens of films to their credit, are tensed on the first day of shooting a new film,” we wanted to say but stopped short.

Jhol and MOH

‘Hotel Beautifool’ was released in August 2017 but immediately after completing its First Schedule, she was offered the role of ‘Ritu’ in ‘Jhol,’ a comedy film produced under the ‘Shasan Arts’ banner, following which she began shooting for her upcoming college-based film ‘Zindagi’ (Rajshri Productions) in Delhi. The film is currently under post production.

There is much hype over ‘MOH,’ a romantic thriller directed by Rajesh K Rathi in which Alisha has been cast opposite Dev Sharma and Ashima Sharma.

“I am really excited about this film, which is now in its final stages of production. It is due for release in November this year and I am sure that it would be successful. Having been raised in Australia, my accent was different, but I have overcome this problem. I love to have my own voice in dubbing. It brings out the ‘real me’ on the screen,” she said.

Alisha has also acted in Kumari 18+, a Telugu film.

“It is a pleasure to work in South Indian films, especially Telugu. Everyone is punctual and cooperative; I suppose that is why Telugu films are so very successful,” she said.

Catwalk and Catcalls

Modelling came naturally for Alisha and her father said that she started performing on the stage when she was just five years of age.

“Her talent, skills, confidence and family support have taken her to a level that often remains a dream to many. I believe that parents should encourage their children to achieve their goals and objectives in life. We are proud that our little girl has completed four Bollywood films and hundreds of thousands of fans all over the world follow her on Facebook and other social media,” Roly said.

Awards and Citations

While her histrionic talents have been exposed on the big and small screens (her television appearances include ‘SuperCops vs SuperVillains,’ ‘Yeh Hai Mohabbatein,’ ‘Ishqbaaaz,’ ‘Gumrah: End of Innocence,’ DD National and MTV Splitsvilla X), her stage performances have also brought her accolades.

Among the Awards and Citations to her credit have been ‘Best Dancer and the Most Talented Dancer,’ in Jaipur; First Runner Up in Miss North India (2012 New Delhi-Gurgaon).

Alisha is a regular invitee to participate in fashion shows and host programmes all over the world. Here is a sample: fashion show by famous Bollywood designer Manish Malhotra in London; Independence Day Celebrations in Sri Lanka; modelling and cultural programmes in Thailand, London and different States in India.

Forthcoming Show in Perth

Alisha is due to in Australia over the next fortnight to appear in a show with her sister Raina at the Perth Crown Casino.

“I look forward to the event, due to be held on Sunday, July 8, 2018. I also hope to have my own Make-Up Studio and Boutique in Australia,” Alisha said.