LILLY SINGH IS WAITING FOR A BOLLYWOOD OFFER

She may be based far away in Los Angeles (USA), but Indian-origin Canadian actorcomedian Lilly Singh has a legion of fans in her native country. They include several Bollywood stars who are also friends with her, including the likes of Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Ranveer Singh, Varun Dhawan, and Deepika Padukone. So how come she has not appeared in any Bollywood film, not even in a cameo role? “Because I haven’t been offered any roles till date. Can you believe it?” Lilly shares with a laugh.

However, she adds, “I would love that. My Hindi is not that great, and if they (filmmakers) are willing to accommodate that, I am all for that.”

The digital star, who has made her fortune by writing, directing, and starring in YouTube videos, was born in Canada to parents who hailed from Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India. Talking about her perception of India as an NRI, Lilly says that when she was younger, she thought of the country as a place where her parents are from and she loved visiting India during holidays.

“But when I started my career, it became a lot more meaningful. Indians have been my biggest support system. They welcome me home. They cheer me on when I start any new endeavour. It’s more meaningful to me than when I was younger,” she says.

This year has been particularly interesting for her. She has transitioned from the Internet to become the first woman of Indian-origin to host her own TV show, A Little Late With Lilly Singh. On what her first reaction was when she got the news, Lilly says it was mostly confusion. “I didn’t believe it, didn’t understand. But I’m obviously very grateful, honoured, humbled. I have been on camera but a late night show is a different beast,” she signs off.

Indians have been my biggest support system. They welcome me home. They cheer me on when I start any new endeavour. It’s more meaningful to me than when I was younger.

LILLY SINGH ACTOR-COMEDIAN