<p>The mainstream Hindi film industry has largely ignored Northeast India. However, director Anubhav Sinha and actor Ayushmann Khurrana, both known for their issue-based projects, have explored the region's complexities in their recently released film <em>Anek</em>.</p>.<p>The socio-political thriller challenges the average person's misconceptions about the region and stars a female lead from the Northeast, Andrea Kevichusa, who plays the role of a boxer Aido.</p>.<p>Kevichusa, from Nagaland, is delighted that Indian cinema, often criticized for its lack of representation of actors from the Northeast, has opened its doors to her.</p>.<p>"It's a big step for Indian cinema to have roles written and actors cast from the Northeast region," said Kevichusa to DH. "It's wonderful that 'Anek' has given a platform to so many people from 'back home' to showcase their talents and have their stories told. We hope this will open many other doors in the future," she said.</p>.<p>The model-turned-actress was cast in <em>Anek</em> in 2019.</p>.<p>A few months after she had moved to Bombay, her agent informed her about a meeting with Anubhav Sinha. "The director told me he was working on a film and wanted me to play the female lead in the role of a boxer. I was taken aback because it was out of the blue, and I had never tried my hand at acting before," said Kevichusa.</p>.<p>She had to undergo months of training for boxing and weight training for her role.</p>.<p>Kevichusa revealed that while she was "nervous about being a first-timer," the comfortable environment created for her by the team and crew members put her at ease. "I quickly grew out of my nervousness."</p>.<p>Kevichusa doesn't consider <em>Anek</em> a "mainstream Bollywood film."</p>.<p>"It has a strong message; a film like this has never been made before and I'm happy to be a part of it," said Kevichusa.</p>.<p>"There were a lot of "firsts" for me in <em>Anek</em>, from learning a new sport to learning how to ride a bike. It helped me widen my horizon and gave me the space to grow. Growing up, I had seldom seen people that looked like me act in films in India. I hope "Anek" gives people the encouragement they need to believe that things are changing," said Kevichusa</p>.<p><em>(Gurpreet Kaur is a journalist who writes on lifestyle, entertainment and culture)</em></p>
<p>The mainstream Hindi film industry has largely ignored Northeast India. However, director Anubhav Sinha and actor Ayushmann Khurrana, both known for their issue-based projects, have explored the region's complexities in their recently released film <em>Anek</em>.</p>.<p>The socio-political thriller challenges the average person's misconceptions about the region and stars a female lead from the Northeast, Andrea Kevichusa, who plays the role of a boxer Aido.</p>.<p>Kevichusa, from Nagaland, is delighted that Indian cinema, often criticized for its lack of representation of actors from the Northeast, has opened its doors to her.</p>.<p>"It's a big step for Indian cinema to have roles written and actors cast from the Northeast region," said Kevichusa to DH. "It's wonderful that 'Anek' has given a platform to so many people from 'back home' to showcase their talents and have their stories told. We hope this will open many other doors in the future," she said.</p>.<p>The model-turned-actress was cast in <em>Anek</em> in 2019.</p>.<p>A few months after she had moved to Bombay, her agent informed her about a meeting with Anubhav Sinha. "The director told me he was working on a film and wanted me to play the female lead in the role of a boxer. I was taken aback because it was out of the blue, and I had never tried my hand at acting before," said Kevichusa.</p>.<p>She had to undergo months of training for boxing and weight training for her role.</p>.<p>Kevichusa revealed that while she was "nervous about being a first-timer," the comfortable environment created for her by the team and crew members put her at ease. "I quickly grew out of my nervousness."</p>.<p>Kevichusa doesn't consider <em>Anek</em> a "mainstream Bollywood film."</p>.<p>"It has a strong message; a film like this has never been made before and I'm happy to be a part of it," said Kevichusa.</p>.<p>"There were a lot of "firsts" for me in <em>Anek</em>, from learning a new sport to learning how to ride a bike. It helped me widen my horizon and gave me the space to grow. Growing up, I had seldom seen people that looked like me act in films in India. I hope "Anek" gives people the encouragement they need to believe that things are changing," said Kevichusa</p>.<p><em>(Gurpreet Kaur is a journalist who writes on lifestyle, entertainment and culture)</em></p>