‘Bollywood a dream’

Sylviana L. Mawlong, who hails from Mairang, recently bagged the Best Actor award in the female category in the Prag Cine Awards Northeast 2017 held in Kokrajhar, Assam, on June 17-18 for her lead role in her debut film Dak Bangla. In a conversation with Sunday Shillong’s Willie Gordon Suting, the 15-year-old actress speaks about acting, her mentors and winning the award.

How do you feel on having won the award?
I feel very happy to have received the award. I feel indebted to the director Kitbok Kharmalki and my father/co-producer Bobby Basaiawmoit for giving me lots of encouragement. I did my best because of them.

What is acting to you?
Acting is one of the most difficult professions. But I do love it very much as I discover more of myself.

How did you prepare for the stunt scenes in the movie?
I broke my hand while performing a stunt. But it was a learning process. My dancing background had helped me with flexibility of the body.

How difficult was it to portray your role in the horror movie?
The stunts were very difficult. As I told you I broke my hand jumping from a 17-foot water tank. We had to stop shooting for two days for I needed time to recover. My father and the director were the ones who trained and guided me with everything even before we started shooting from day one.

Have you won any dance competition? What type of dance are you trained in?
Yes I did. I got 1st prize in Dance Meghalaya Dance Little Champ contest in 2014. It was my father who trained me in dance genres like hip hop, Bollywood, contemporary and freestyle.

Why did you choose acting over dancing?
Acting was actually not in my mind. It was Kharmalki who chose me for the role.

Do you see growth in the Khasi film industry?
Yes. There has been a lot of progress as some of our films have made it big in the national scene.

Your favourite movies in Bollywood and Hollywood?
Bahubali and all parts of Fast and Furious.

Your favourite Khasi film(s) and actor(s)?
Dei Maphi. Regina Lamo.

Your favourite actors in Bollywood and Hollywood?
Akshay Kumar and Dwayne Johnson.

If there is an offer from Bollywood would you take it? What kind of roles would you prefer?
I will definitely. It has always been a dream for me. I would like to act in a romantic film if I’m offered one.

Who are your mentors?
I count my father Bobby Basaiawmoit, the director Kitbok Kharmalki and all my co-actors as the ones who encouraged me right from day one. They guided and taught me many things.

Does acting hamper your studies? How cooperative is your school?
No, it does not hamper my studies at all. I am able to manage it well. My principal and teachers have been very supportive.

How did your friends and teachers react after you won the award?
They were very proud and happy.