10 mins with Pallavi Sharda
We were very excited when we heard that we will be interviewing the Australian-Indian actress, Pallavi Sharda. Growing up in Australia, Pallavi dreamt of being a Bollywood star, enthralled by its ‘magic’. She has since progressed to the international stage with roles in; Lion with Devl Patel, Nicole Kidman and Rooney Mara, Les Norton with Rebel Wilson for ABC Australia, ITV’s Beecham House and she is now filming Warner Brother’s Tom and Jerry with Chloë Grace Moretz, set for release next year. Meet Pallavi… 
What is the most interesting thing you’ve seen/read this week?
Season 3 of Glow! I love the show - it’s feminist, powerful and tells so many diverse stories without just paying lip service to them. I get so wrapped up in it, it’s the only show in the world I binge watch as soon as it comes out.
I am also reading and re-reading ‘Untethered Soul’ - I think it’s such an important book for any seekers out there.
What’s the most useless talent you have?
I can contort my eyebrows into every possible shape. Actually that’s kind of useful as a performing artist. I wouldn’t really call it a talent but I can also recite a really random Indian tongue twisters my dad taught me as a kid… that has literally never come in handy. What would be a good theme song for your life and why?
Black Bird by the Beatles.. because I asked a friend who knows me really well and this is what he suggested. 
Do you speak any other languages? Are you good at accents?
I speak Australian fluently. :PI am also fluent in French, Hindi and conversational in a few other Indian languages like Punjabi. I studied French at the University of Melbourne (along with my law and media degrees) and was lucky enough to study in Lyon for some time as well. And yes, I am an accent Queen! I love changing accents for dinner time stories and roles at work but have also naturally and subconsciously always switched between my Aussie drawl and ‘Indian-English’ when speaking to people with an Indian accent, it’s pretty freaky…What is your favourite place in the world ?
I am definitely still looking for it. But I am very fond of Italy, RIshikesh in India, parts of Bali, and back home (Victoria, Australia) Daysleford and the Otways rainforest. 3 things you can’t live without when you travel and why?
1. My laptop - I am a writer and travel is such a source of inspiration, even if it’s just sitting in an airport lounge - the freedom from the context I have just left behind immediately engages my imagination and I always kick myself for not having it. 2. Palo Santo and a yoga mat - to (make sure I) practice yoga on the road. 3. A leather jacket. What is the one thing that you wish you could do to look after the environment?
Eliminate single use plastics from our everyday lives. 
If you weren’t scared what would you do?
Ride a motorcycle.What do you do to cope with stressful situations?
First preference - dance. But in most circumstances that would be downright weird. So - breathe and meditate. Failing that - exit frame and take a long nap (sometimes things seem more stressful due to fatigue). Go to fashion look?
A leather jacket - with literally any outfit. I bought my first one when I was 14 and still own and love it, over the years I have collected some beauties and always need one nearby. Photography Credit: Pier Carthew
