Actress Ishika Gagneja who is currently basking in glory of the success of Border 2 shares how her father Mandeep Kumar who is also an actor inspires her in life.
She says,”My father began his professional acting career in his 40s, but his love for the craft has always been there. He is the reason I’m able to do what I love today. From finding casting calls to taking me to auditions and shoots, he was deeply involved in teh early journey of my career. Having him as a professional actor has shaped my understanding of the industry in a very real way. He constantly gives me honest feedback, helped me improve my craft, and supported me in managing my work. Growing up around him gave me a grounded and realistic view of acting – both as an art and a profession.”
Interestingly Mandeep started his acting journey quite late, currently he is working in tv show Mann Atisundar.
On this Ishika shares,”My father truly believes in following one’s dreams and that age is just a number. Watching him listen to his heart taught me that it’s never too late to pursue what you love. His courage and patience inspired me to make the decision to pursue acting full-time after my graduation. My parents have always supported and encouraged me to follow my dreams, and that belief has given me the confidence to take this path.”
As a loving father-daughter duo, they share a lot of things which connects them on various aspects of life. She adds,”We definitely inspire each other creatively. We regularly give each other constructive feedback on our work. Conversations at home often revolve around the projects we’re currently working on, upcoming opportunities, and understanding scripts better. We help each other through the creative process, whether it’s breaking down a character or discussing how to approach a scene. He always tells me to believe in myself and never give up. He reminds me that there will be both good and bad days, but consistency and hard work are what truly matter in the long run.”
Ishika also shares how her father’s inputs and advices makes her a better artist. ”As a father, he is incredibly encouraging and proudly tells everyone about my work. He is truly my biggest cheerleader. As a fellow actor, he is honest and constructive, pointing out areas where I can improve and guiding me on how to make my performances stronger. People may think that I have a pressure as my father is also an actor. But honestly I don’t feel any pressure. He has carved his own path in the industry through hard work, and that’s exactly what he encourages me to do as well. He has taught me to trust myself, choose projects that feel right to me, and create my own space and identity in this industry.”
Sharing about her father’s biggest quality she says,”Confidence. He truly owns the space he is in. I try to learn from him every day, both as a person and as an artist, and carry that self-belief with me in my own journey.”
