Today we’d like to introduce you to Puja —.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my artistic career as a dancer and a writer.
I went to drama school to study Acting at the American Conservatory Theater, (A.C.T.), where Denzel Washington, Elizabeth Banks, and Annette Bening trained at. It was the greatest gift to study there and prepared me to work on Tony-, Emmy-, Golden Globe-, and Oscar-winning roles.
Soon after completing drama school, I discovered that I could integrate all the things I loved: acting, writing, dance, creating, and directing, and this work is called being a multi-hyphenate. This offered me a pathway to challenge myself, work at my full potential, and create great roles for myself while amplifying narratives that are meaningful, impactful, and fun for me to explore.
I created a web series called “Friendly Confines,” a one-woman-show called, “A Great Dive,” another web series called, “Geeta’s Guide To Moving On,” which can be found on OTV, and multiple TV projects, including one called, “Welcome To Shakti,” which been recognized as one of the best unproduced female-driven TV pilots by a women’s advocacy organization called We For She.
Now, I’m in the middle of producing my first feature in the film, “Lakshmi In Love,” and another feature film project called, “Amanat, India’s Daughter.” Producing has offered me the gift of collaborating with artists from around the world. Over time, I wanted to nurture and support other artists along their journeys. I started teaching acting and writing and creating.
I created a workshop called Make Your Project to offer a safe space for storytellers to learn how to bring their ideas to life through TV, film, theater, book, digital, and documentary projects. We meet weekly, and I support creators by teaching them writing, story development, producing, and how to finance, nurture, and bring to life their creative projects.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not. But that’s ok! The journey has only made me more creative and offered more opportunities for me to expand. One of my biggest struggles has been not being educated on how the business side works, particularly as a writer-creator and storyteller.
This has been a huge reason why I created the Make Your Project workshop. I want to offer creators and storytellers a safe space to get informed on how the industry works on the business side, as well as learn how to create, write, and bring to life their artistic projects.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an actor-writer-producer-director and coach. I’m known for my web series, “Geeta’s Guide To Moving On,” which I acted in, wrote, and produced. I’m also known for my acting work on “Chicago Med” on NBC and “The Lincoln Lawyer,” on Netflix.
In theater, I’m known for my one-woman show, “A Great Dive.” I’m most proud of the project I’m in the middle of producing now. It’s a feature film called, “Lakshmi In Love,” and it’s a comedic love story.
What sets me apart is I’m a multi-hyphenate. I’ve trained at one of the best dramas schools in the country, and my work earned the attention of the producers of “Black-ish” and “The Office,” as well as a major studio, several prestigious film festivals, and OTV, the digital platform where you can find “Geeta’s Guide.”
I am confident in my acting and writing skills, and I have a knack for recognizing compelling and original story ideas and have the work ethic to bring them to life. I also feel my sense of humor, my authenticity, my Midwestern sensibility, and my Aries directness and brutal honesty are things that are unique to me.
I will go to any lengths to create a character with authenticity and depth. I’m ok not looking pretty or cute to play a role truthfully. I’m ok looking silly or dumb, going make-up-free, or whatever it requires.
I’m an actor’s actor in that way. I love to create physical and emotional transformations and stretch as an actor. I love showing up differently on screen and stage than I do in real life, even if it shocks, disgusts, or repels. I love disappearing in a role. I want more and more opportunities to do this, and that is why I love writing because it invites me to work at my highest potential.
And lastly, what sets me apart is I’ve found a way to do the TV, film, and theater work most important to me while living a balanced life outside of my hometown, where I can stay connected with my family. That has been very meaningful and gratifying. And as a storyteller, it’s completely influenced and impacted my voice and point of view on the world.
I’m connected to regular people every day and get to be a microphone to their stories and voices.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Utah are the mountains and the Sundance Film Festival, which is my happy place because I love independent film.
What I like least is that the last time I was in Utah, I had a hard time finding a wide range of vegetarian food options. I ate a lot of veggie burgers!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.instagram.com/theofficialpuja
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/theofficialpuja
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/puja-—-a54b05b/
- Twitter: www.twitters.com/theofficialpuja
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/chicagopuja
