Anjli Mohindra

We are pleased to sit down with fast-rising British Asian star Anjli Mohindra who last year starred in BBC One’s huge hit ‘Vigil’ and who recently featured in Munich: The Edge of War on Netflix. This month, she will be leading the cast alongside Emmy-nominee Paapa Essiedu in Sky’s new blockbuster sci-fi thriller‘TheLazarusProject. ’

InconversationwithViewties,thetalentedandbeautifulactresschatsabouther brilliant performance on the show, her way into the arts, and the adaptation of Anita Anand’s biography of Queen Victoria’s Indian goddaughter that’s she’s currentlyworkingon.

V: To begin with, I’m interested in knowing a little bit more about your philosophy as an actress. What is it about the job that you love so much and makes you choose it every day as your professional career?

ANJLI: I love storytelling, both as the storyteller and as the one being taken on the journey! And always knew I wanted to beinvolvedinthatworld.Ialsolovehuman psychology and working out why people do the things they do - so decoding characters and then getting to play them has always beensomethingIlove.

V: Is there any actor that you admire and aspire to have a similar trajectory in your acting career?

ANJLI: I love Julie Walters and Ruth Wilson, I’d love to be able to do the work they do. They have such range and are so utterlybelievableandheart-breaking.

V: I can’t wait to see your performance in the huge anticipated sci-fi thriller ‘The Lazarus Project’, I’ve seen the trailer and found it very intense and captivating. What was your first impression of the show when you read the script and what was it that made you want to get involved?

ANJLI:‘TheLazarusProject’wasoneofthe most fun and compelling scripts I have ever read! I instantly fell in love with the character of Archie and just thought ‘I really want to do this’. She’s so bold, and funny and the story is such a thrilling ride that leaves you a little breathless at the end of every episode. The show centres around George, an app developer, who wakes up onedayandrealiseshe’dbeenrelivingthe same day over and over, he struggles to get hisheadaroundituntilArchieshowsupand brings him into the Lazarus Project, a top secret organisation that stops the world fromendingthrough…timetravel!

V: How would you describe your character?

ANJLI:ArchieisGeorge’smentorandhis way into The Lazarus Project. She’s so layered and cool. Way cooler than me, she’s witty and sharp and a dab hand withagrenade.

V: What’s your favourite aspect of Archie’s journey?

ANJLI: Archie is damaged. But she’ll never let you know it. She has been through some stuff and her defence mechanism is humour and her work. She’s a high functioning workaholic who thinks she has the measure of people until she underestimates one of the main charactersoftheshow.

V: How did you prepare to approach this character? Did you have to do any research, or was anyone a source of inspiration to base her on?

ANJLI: I read all of the scripts a few times throughtogetameasureofher.Toworkout whatshe’stryingtooutrun,emotionally.Alot ofArchie’sbackstorywasalreadythereinthe scriptssoIusedthatasaspringboardtolayer herup,andthenknewIneededtogetoutof my head and into my body- Archie is a trainedagent,incrediblystrongandagile-for her I knew the key to her was in her physicality, so I started training to get my body feelingweightedandprepared.

V: Was there any particular challenging scenes to shoot?

ANJLI: I had to learn a fight! Which I’ve now done a few times since filming The Lazarus Project, but at that point it was my first time and a whole new experience for me. It’s like learning dance choreography. AndIhavetosay-Ilovedit!

V: How did you find the whole filming experience?

ANJLI: I honestly loved every minute. I filmedaseriesforafewyearsoutinCardiff, rightatthebeginningofmycareerandsoto bebacktherewasalittlesurrealbutalsolike coming home. I could see the ghosts of my younger self full of teenage self-confidence and angst walking the same streets! The cast becameprettyclosebytheendoffilmingand wehadsuchabrilliantcrew,andImadealot ofgreatfriendsonthejob!

V: You’re currently working on the adaptation of Anita Anand’s biography of Queen Victoria’s Indian goddaughter. Can you tell us about the moment you shared this idea with Urban Myth? Why did you choose to work with them and how did they respond tothestory?

ANJLI: I had written a script for fun for the project, in order to be taken seriously when enquiring about the rights for Anita Anand’s biography!Andluckilyshereallyengagedwith it. I was really keen to find a home that wereasexcitedasweweretobringSophia’s story to light and UMF has enthusiasm in spades. They also make some really high quality-bigscaleworksoIknewtheywould helptheshowtobefullyrealised!Wearein development at the moment and hope in timetogettheshowcommissioned!

V:Lastquestion,asmynationalityisArgentinian,I’m curious to ask you if you have ever seen or experiencedanytypeofart/culturefromArgentina?

ANJLI: I must admit, I haven’t! But would love to. Your question had me going down a google rabbit hole of Argentinian art and nowIwanttogotoBuenosAires!Iwelcome anyarttips!