From cockroaches to personal staff – Swedish Elli Avram finds success in Bollywood

Elli Avram, born Elisabet Emelie Avramidou Granlund in Tyresö, Sweden, is making waves in Bollywood, the world's second-largest film industry by revenue. She arrived in Mumbai at just 20 years old in 2012, with few connections but a strong ambition.

Avram was captivated by Bollywood's "colors, music and energy," describing it as an industry that "spreads so much joy and emotions: passion and warmth." She was particularly drawn to the "goddess-like" beauty of the actresses, aspiring to be like them since childhood after watching her first Bollywood film. She transformed her childhood bedroom into a dance studio, mimicking the on-screen performances.

Her path to Bollywood solidified after a knee injury ended her aspirations of becoming a world-class figure skater. Avram fully committed to her Indian dream, visualizing herself as a star and even joining a Bollywood dance group and studying Hindi in Sweden. She believes this visualization, combined with hard work, is key to success.

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I was drawn by all the colors, the music and the energy. Bollywood spreads so much joy and emotions: passion and warmth. And everyone is so divinely beautiful, like princesses. It appealed to me, I wanted to be like them, like a princess type.

Despite her father's reservations about the distance and lack of language skills or contacts, Avram remained determined. "If I want something, I go for it. Even if millions question it. Only those who dare succeed," she stated. She saved money for her trip by working in a jewelry store after high school.

Now a recognized figure in India, Avram navigates a demanding schedule of training, dancing, and photoshoots. Her presence draws attention, with onlookers whispering and children approaching her for photos, indicating her growing fame in the country.

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If I want something, I go for it. Even if millions question it. Only those who dare succeed.