City of dreams and some nightmares! - Article

"My dreams have come true," says Kanica Maheashwari, who's seen as the scheming princess in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat.

Kanica Maheashwari (TOI photo)

How have her dreams come true? "Well, coming to Mumbai and doing good work. I had heard that this is the city of dreams and after I landed here, it became my reality too," she says. Incidentally, acting was never on her mind.

"It might sound cliched but frankly acting wasn't really my childhood dream! I was more into Vaastu and Metaphysics. I was also a certified consultant, which I still am. But then, I had enough time on my hands and I didn't really know what to do. My mom suggested I take up acting classes as it would keep me busy." With the appreciation she got from her teachers and classmates, her confidence grew and she thought of giving acting a serious thought. "Before I realised, my dreams of tinseltown had begun and voila, I was in Mumbai... bags baggage et al!" she laughs.

But this city of dreams has also given her a nightmare. As she recalls what had happened with her some years back, she brings forth visions and stories of many others who had shared this similar fate. It was the July 26 rains when the waters had laid siege in Mumbai. Kanica was caught up in the torrential waters as well and she had to swim out her way and bid adieu to her beloved car as well. She recalls, "The waters started filling inside the car and I realised this was not the usual heavy rains that the city witnesses, but was much more grave a condition. I was more hurt as it was my first car in the city and my only soulmate who would be there with me almost all the time! But this never kept me sulking. In fact it gave me a newer zest to work harder, to not just buy another car but also a house and other things. Today, I can gladly say that I have them all and I'm content with the place that I've made for myself in the city."

Smita Roy