I idolise Priyanka Chopra; want to catch up with her: Aria Tomar

Actor Aria Tomar (above) is just 14, but she is already making her presence felt with her performances. This half-Indian half-Turkish actor and model, who has received accolades for her roles in short films such as Hard Time Harvey and Intentions (2016), is now looking forward to her next release, a documentary titled California’s Forgotten Children, which raises awareness on child trafficking.

“I shot for the film in 2015,” says Los Angeles-based Aria, adding, “It was my first film project but it took time to release. The film features reallife victims. I play the young version of one of the victims.” California’s Forgotten Children will be screened at various film festivals, including the famous Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

Meanwhile, Aria is auditioning for a TV series by a major studio. She is keen on doing a variety of work, such as sitcoms, and films in both Hollywood and Bollywood.

If an opportunity comes to collaborate with filmmaker Steven Spielberg and actor Meryl Streep, “[it] will be dream come true for me,” says Aria. Among Bollywood stars, she loves Priyanka Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan.

“Priyanka is seen on a lot of American talk shows and I enjoy watching her. She is like an idol for me. I love the way she embraces her culture, and her conversations are incomplete without a mention of her family and friends. She is so real. I am keen on meeting her,” says Aria.

The young actor is a fitness freak; her video of an aerial silk performance with her mother Birsen Tomar proves that. “I enjoy horse-riding, skiing, rock climbing and play various sports. I enjoy a lot of things, but what I love the most is acting. Soon, I’ll take formal training in it. I’m working hard to master the art,” says Aria, who recently visited her father’s side of the family in Lucknow.