Everyday, millions across India dream of Bollywood. It doesn’t matter how small a town they are from, or if there are any language barriers or financial constraints. So many girls dream of becoming a film star, but only a handful make it.
Barsha Lakra got her big break last year. She had a forceful role in Prakash Jha directed Pareeksha, which premiered on ZEE5 in August 2020.
This is what makes Barsha Lakra, more popularly known as Varsha Ritu, so special. Lakra is a prime example of how Jharkhandi tribal women have begun to make their presence felt in Bollywood.
Born in a family with a musical tradition, Lakra is no stranger to the stage. “My mother, Sushila Lakra, too, is a singer. The stage always attracted me. I have actively been participating in cultural activities since my schooldays. And films happened naturally,” she says.
Lakra got her big break last year. She had a forceful role in Prakash Jha-directed Pareeksha, which premiered on ZEE5 in August 2020. She has played lead roles in more than 15 Nagpuri and Bhojpuri movies and is a popular face in scores of music albums.
No doubt, the sky’s the limit for Lakra as she emphasises, “There is no dearth of talent in Jharkhand.” What’s needed is a few more strong women to hone it.
