Lucky to have not faced many challenges linked to ethnicity, says Andrea Kevichusa

Anek fame actress Andrea Kevichusa said that she is fortunate enough to not have faced many challenges linked to her ethnicity. The model turned actress was referring to the struggles people from Northeast India often face in Bollywood and north India.

The 21-year-old hails from Nagaland and started her career in the modelling industry. She has worked with brands like Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi, and Kay by Katrina. She told The Indian Express that working with director Anubhav Sinha and actor Ayushmann Khurrana came as a complete surprise.

Speaking about her journey, she said it has not been smooth sailing but it wasn't the complete opposite either. "I have been exposed to extremely professional work environments from the beginning. But I have come across people who are ignorant of the different types of cultures."

Andrea further said that roles written for actors from the northeast are hard to come by and that can affect one's career in Bollywood. "Industry has progressed but has a long way to go."

She had to gain muscle mass for the role in Anek and did weight training every day. "I was also never into working out and having an active lifestyle, so it was quite the change for me but I am glad I pushed myself through it and I am very proud of myself with the results," said the newbie actress.

Andrea also said that the Indian modelling industry is doing representation right and it is a great way to show the diversity of India. "Faces and bodies of different kinds were being used more in bigger campaigns and magazines. I was also able to do editorials and commercial jobs which probably wouldn't have been possible for a non-generic Indian looking person to do 5-7 years prior to the time I started."