Born in India, raised in Tanzania, Africa and USA, Deepa Iyengar is a model, TV anchor and a serial entrepreneur, currently based in USA. A music and performing arts enthusiast, she's a fashionista, fitness lover, vegetarian, and has been a dancer throughout her life. After completing her education in Computer Science, she moved towards the glamour side of the world.

Opinion Express team interacted with her online to present a case study of a determined girl hoping to make big in entertainment world…

Deepa is an artist, performer and dreamer, what motivates you to excel in life?

My passion motivates me. I am a born artist. I have great respect and interest in the performing arts. I have been dancing since I can remember, and started performing at the age of 4. If I don't live my dreams and passions, life feels empty. To feel the thirst of just wanting to get up and do something creative, alone, motivates me. I love to entertain, and love to showcase my talents, and even sometimes educate people on what they are seeing. I love to dream. My dreams take me to a place of joy. And they say, everything starts with a dream.

What is the most innovative thing you have done during your professional journey so far?

I am doing innovating things every day in my life - in some way or another - whether I am doing photoshoots, or dancing, or acting, everything involves on-spot creativity. Even in my sleep, my mind doesn't stop. I am always thinking about creative ideas for my next project. So, it's hard for me to put a finger on the "most" innovating thing ever done. But, I can tell you about my proudest achievement. When I was 8 years old. I did a Bollywood dance with a group of 5 girls and 5 boys. I did everything from choreography, training, costume designing, makeup and jewelry, and to even editing my own music. And that time, I didn't really think it was a big deal because everything came very effortlessly to me; but in retrospect, I feel like it was quite an achievement for an 8-year-old!

Besides being an artist, what other training have you had (voice, dance, stage combat, etc.)?

I come from family of musicians and dancers. Therefore, music and dance has been engraved in me since childhood. I am a trained Kuchipudi dancer. Kuchipudi is a type of Indian classical dance. I have been taught by some of the great Kuchipudi exponents from India. I have given over 100 stage performances in various parts of the world. I also frequently dance to Bollywood and hip-hop. Growing up, I was trained in Carnatic and Hindustani music. I have taken some theater classes in college. Acting is my passion, and one of my achievements was winning an award for "Best supporting actress" for an Indian TV serial that I acted in.

If you could choose, what three actors would you really want to work with?

This is an unfair question because there are so many talented people that I would love to work with and learn from. But if you must insist, I would say Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Hrithik Roshan. Shah Rukh Khan - he is the most celebrated and most-watched actor. Amitabh Bachchan - well he is just a legend. And Hrithik Roshan is such an amazing dancer and being a dance myself, I see an exciting dance sequence there. Honestly, to share a screen space with any of these Hero’s would be an honor, an educational and humbling experience for me.

Your message to young women of India?

Follow your strong desires and do what makes you happy. Not to sound cliché, but decisions made by the heart seem much more rewarding that decisions made by the mind. We are no longer in an era where we should be forced to choose a career path set for us. Find what fulfills you and go and try to pursuit it. It is never too late. And don't feel pressured or rushed to achieve it. Life isn't about constantly worrying about the final destination, it is about living.

Born in India, raised in Tanzania, Africa and USA, Deepa Iyengar is a model, TV anchor and a serial entrepreneur, currently based in USA. A music and performing arts enthusiast, she's a fashionista, fitness lover, vegetarian, and has been a dancer throughout her life. After completing her education in Computer Science, she moved towards the glamour side of the world.

Opinion Express team interacted with her online to present a case study of a determined girl hoping to make big in entertainment world…

Deepa is an artist, performer and dreamer, what motivates you to excel in life?

My passion motivates me. I am a born artist. I have great respect and interest in the performing arts. I have been dancing since I can remember, and started performing at the age of 4. If I don't live my dreams and passions, life feels empty. To feel the thirst of just wanting to get up and do something creative, alone, motivates me. I love to entertain, and love to showcase my talents, and even sometimes educate people on what they are seeing. I love to dream. My dreams take me to a place of joy. And they say, everything starts with a dream.

What is the most innovative thing you have done during your professional journey so far?

I am doing innovating things every day in my life - in some way or another - whether I am doing photoshoots, or dancing, or acting, everything involves on-spot creativity. Even in my sleep, my mind doesn't stop. I am always thinking about creative ideas for my next project. So, it's hard for me to put a finger on the "most" innovating thing ever done. But, I can tell you about my proudest achievement. When I was 8 years old. I did a Bollywood dance with a group of 5 girls and 5 boys. I did everything from choreography, training, costume designing, makeup and jewelry, and to even editing my own music. And that time, I didn't really think it was a big deal because everything came very effortlessly to me; but in retrospect, I feel like it was quite an achievement for an 8-year-old!

Besides being an artist, what other training have you had (voice, dance, stage combat, etc.)?

I come from family of musicians and dancers. Therefore, music and dance has been engraved in me since childhood. I am a trained Kuchipudi dancer. Kuchipudi is a type of Indian classical dance. I have been taught by some of the great Kuchipudi exponents from India. I have given over 100 stage performances in various parts of the world. I also frequently dance to Bollywood and hip-hop. Growing up, I was trained in Carnatic and Hindustani music. I have taken some theater classes in college. Acting is my passion, and one of my achievements was winning an award for "Best supporting actress" for an Indian TV serial that I acted in.

If you could choose, what three actors would you really want to work with?

This is an unfair question because there are so many talented people that I would love to work with and learn from. But if you must insist, I would say Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Hrithik Roshan. Shah Rukh Khan - he is the most celebrated and most-watched actor. Amitabh Bachchan - well he is just a legend. And Hrithik Roshan is such an amazing dancer and being a dance myself, I see an exciting dance sequence there. Honestly, to share a screen space with any of these Hero’s would be an honor, an educational and humbling experience for me.

Your message to young women of India?

Follow your strong desires and do what makes you happy. Not to sound cliché, but decisions made by the heart seem much more rewarding that decisions made by the mind. We are no longer in an era where we should be forced to choose a career path set for us. Find what fulfills you and go and try to pursuit it. It is never too late. And don't feel pressured or rushed to achieve it. Life isn't about constantly worrying about the final destination, it is about living.