Ballet lessons with 3 year olds to 3 part time jobs, Indian dancer's hustle to her big Hollywood break!

MUMBAI : Indiana Mehta, this Gujarati dancer from Mumbai gives a whole new definition to try and try till you succeed. Indiana Mehta, previously an assistant to a choreographer took the social media by storm as she shared the poster of her upcoming movie on world's biggest streaming platform starring alongside Hollywood's biggest youth sensations Sabrina Carpenter & Liza Koshy.

It wasn't a ticket to Hollywood given on a platter for Indiana who's been a dancer all through her life & also the first Indian in the history of Laine's, world's No. 1 Musical theatre school, to graduate with a National Diploma in performing arts with alumni like Victoria Beckham, Ruthi Henshall & many broadway stars.

Sharing her story to inspire aspiring dancers, Indiana talks about her journey to the top, 'I chanced upon a meeting with a veteran ballet dancer who made me fall in love with the dance form. I moved to Bangalore to train under her. I spent every hour of my life practicing & mastering the art form. I attended baby ballet with 3 year olds, took advanced lessons, practiced at home, practised on bus stops & probably in my sleep too.'

'Getting through Laine Theatre Arts in the UK was a life changing event. I had a lot to catch up when it came to Jazz, Jazz funk, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Tap, Acting and Singing. My college hours would be 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday to Friday for 3 years. I would be the first person at the door at 7 am waiting for the student admin to open the doors to the college so I could practice and work on my technique. Most nights I stayed back after college until I was kicked out by the cleaners. I also worked 3 part time jobs in a week, McDonalds, Organic Food Store & Bar Tending,' she shares.

But life had some other plans. Soon after her graduation, Indiana had to move back to India even before her career could take off in England . After struggling for 2 years to get an opportunity worth her experience, Indiana packed her bags & took off to Canada to try her luck.

Skipping the struggles in Canada, Indiana expresses her gratitude & love the new country gave her & recounts her an episode that got her the part in Alicia Keys produced Work It, she quips, ' I went full out during my performance & hoped for the best. Towards the end of the audition, Aakomon asked if anyone wanted to showcase any different style of dancing. I was sure to not be able to match the level of flips, locking, popping & didn't want to embarass myself. But later I took my shoes off, jumped right in at the very last moment & impressed the judges with Garba, Bhangra & some Jazz funk. I got a standing ovation & I later was called in to read for a role.'

Well, hard work does pay off! Another Indian to put our country on the world map!