Serendipity has played a key role for Manish Anand, who has an MBA degree and was working with a marketing firm. Everything changed with a photo shoot he did some time ago that landed him a job as a VJ. Now Anand is making his feature film debut with Ishqeria
Background
Though I was born in the US, I have lived most of my life in Mumbai, so I know the local language. I was a bright student in school, so after graduation, I did my MBA and was working with a marketing company. It so happened that a friend who was a photographer wanted to make a portfolio so he approached me. I did the photo shoot for him. After that, I got some calls for ad films, and that’s when I did my first advertisement with Aishwarya Rai for Coca Cola.
After That…
I received many offers for ad films and I must have done more than 50 ads. I enjoyed what I was doing and thought I would stick with it. Then, in 2010, I met Sheetal Sudhir, who was heading Channel V. They had recently revamped the channel and had gone entirely Hindi and were looking for someone who was fluent in the language. I got the offer.
Being a VJ
While I was working as a VJ, I met many people; I developed a network and started enjoying the work. Being a VJ is like a stand-up act and you get connected to so many people.
Breaking The Path
In 2012, I quit my job because I had decided I wanted to act in the movies. I happened to meet Prerna Wadhawan, the director of the film (Ishqeira), and she offered me this character, which is a second lead in the film. Obviously, everyone wants to play the lead but I simply want to enjoy the acting. It’s an addiction that keeps growing on you.
On Ishqeria
It’s a romantic comedy also featuring Neil Nitin Mukesh and Richa Chaddha. We have almost finished shooting but I am still into ‘film mode’.