Nyrraa Banerji’s journey through the film world has been far from ordinary. Known for her work in both Bollywood and South Indian cinema, the actress recently opened up about her early days, her unexpected entry into movies, and the hurdles she faced balancing a film career with law school.
She revealed that her original plan had nothing to do with acting. In fact, she joined law school in Mumbai for a rather personal reason. She explained, “I went to law school in Bombay. I chose that because no one in my family is a lawyer”.
During college, her real interests began to surface. Instead of academic contests or debates, Nyrraa found herself drawn to dance and fashion shows. She participated in inter-college events, not for acting, but to perform and express herself through movement. Dancing was where she felt most alive. She shared, “I actually wanted to become a dancer apart from law.”
Fate, however, had other plans. Nyrraa recounted how casting directors frequently commented on her appearance, insisting she was perfect for South Indian films. She remembered them saying things like, “Tumhaara face and body South Indian films ke lie perfect hai.” At that time, she wasn’t the skinny type the industry often expected. She was curvier, and people made sure to remind her of that. Initially, she resisted. “I said that I don’t want to do it. I have never even seen a South film,” she admitted.
When she returned home and mentioned the film offers to her parents, their reaction was cautious. Her father dismissed the idea, while her mother too was unsure. But both agreed that if one of them accompanied her and oversaw things, it might be safe to give it a try. Interestingly, astrologers had already predicted a future in the creative arts for her. Several had mentioned that she would thrive in artistic fields like fine arts. This sense of destiny made them reconsider. That’s how she landed her first role in Kadambari, a Sanskrit television show.
Things moved quickly after that. She began receiving big offers for lead roles. Yet, she kept turning them down because she was determined to complete her studies. This decision puzzled many around her. People questioned why she would reject film projects for academics, especially when others left their education behind for a shot at stardom.
Nyrraa admitted that the South Indian film world was fiercely competitive. New faces appeared every day, and constant visibility was key to staying relevant. She explained how difficult it was to maintain momentum while managing law school commitments. “In the South industry, when you take films continuously and do them non-stop, it takes you to a very different level,” she said.
Looking back, she confessed that she lacked the right guidance. A good manager might have helped her navigate both her education and film opportunities, but she didn’t have one then. She acknowledged that her mother’s concerns weren’t misplaced either. Her mom believed that no career was guaranteed and having an academic qualification as a backup was wise.
In hindsight, Nyrraa sees how different choices could have changed the trajectory of her career. But she holds no regrets. The decisions she made then were guided by instinct, family values, and the circumstances surrounding her. And today, those choices form the story of who she is.
