Ask Elli AvrRam what she likes about India and the Swedish Greek actress who moved bag and baggage to Mumbai nine years ago will probably say – everything! The beautiful lass who loves gorging on motichoor laddoos, wearing saris and salwar kameez, and celebrating festivals like Holi and Ganesh Chaturthi, believes in her heart that she was an Indian in her past life. Our cover girl, who sizzled in the Har Funn Maula song with Aamir Khan earlier this year, chatted with TMM about how she likes to ring in the festivities. Excerpts from a conversation:
You moved to India from Sweden in 2012. Does Mumbai feel like home now?
Wow! Has it been that long?! Oh yes, Mumbai feels like home and it feels like I have come a full circle with it. When I first came to India, it felt like I have come home. I just loved it here so much that whenever I would go back to Sweden, I would feel like coming back to India within two 
weeks or so. Then I started feeling lonely and there were so many struggles here. I was missing my family and my friends were getting married and I was missing out on so much. It is this year that I feel that all the love I felt for India back then when I first moved here has come back to me. Recently, I was back home in Sweden for almost two months and that’s when I realised that I am an alien there. It was so clear to me that India is where I belong. I definitely believe I was an Indian in my past life. I just know it.
It’s the festive season here now. What do you enjoy about the Indian festivals?
This time feels like Christmas! The streets are lit up and there is a warm, cozy vibe you get from all the homes. I really enjoy all the Indian festivals. They are full of life. Also, there is something that I noticed about the festivals here that everyone celebrates and wishes each other and 
it does not matter if you’re a Hindu, Muslim, or Christian. Everyone celebrates all festivals and that is such a beautiful thing.
Is there any Indian festival that is more special for you than others?
I feel a strong connection with Ganeshji. I believe he listens to my wishes. So, Ganesh Chaturthi is a special time for me. And of course, I love Holi because it is super fun and playful. I tend to get a bit homesick during Diwali because the streets remind me of Christmas back in Sweden.
You look beautiful in saris and lehengas. Do you like wearing Indian clothes?
I am in love with Indian clothes! In my initial month of moving here, I was always dressed in salwar kameez, anarkalis and be wearing bindis and jhumkas. I feel every girl looks beautiful in Indian clothes. I am back in that space now. Indian clothes look so graceful and I am always happily wearing them. It’s like being a princess every day.
Sweets are a significant part of all Indian festivals. Do you enjoy them and do you have a sweet tooth?
I have a big sweet tooth and I have worked so hard to stay away from sweets! (smiles) When I moved to India and got introduced to the sweets here, it was so difficult to stay away from them. I had gone to watch Sridevi mam’s English Vinglish and I saw her making these big laddoos in the movie. They just looked so yummy! I was prepping for Mickey Virus at the time and I asked Divya, who was helping me with my lines, to tell me what the big orange sweets are. The next day, she got me a big box of motichoor laddoos and I just stuffed myself with them! (laughs) It was like heaven! Apart from motichoor laddoos, I love kaju katli and gulab jamuns. I had to be really disciplined about weaning myself off them because if I have even one, I know I will get stuck in that loop again.
The festive time is also when people start taking care of their skin better. What is your skincare routine like?
I am really trying to take better care of my skin now. It is important to put in Vitamin C serum and also apply sunscreen even when I am inside the house. It is important to moisturize the skin well and also to drink a lot of water.
QUICK QUESTIONS
Favourite Indian designer: Rohit Bal
Three things you always have in your make-up kit: Concealer, lip balm, and mascara
A Hindi song that you hum all the time: Maula Mere Maula
What you splurge on the most: It used to be shoes but now, I am very conscious about the environment and I don’t buy stuff I don’t need. I do get excited about skincare products like organic soaps and balms
A dance number of yours that is special: Har Funn Maula
An Indian web series that you loved: Stories by Rabindranath Tagore
A place in India you want to visit: It’s my dream to jump on a train and travel everywhere in India! I definitely want to go to Kerala.
A dance number you wish you had done: Ek Do Teen from Tezaab
You unwind by: Disappearing away from people! (laughs) On a serious note, meditation works really well for me. One of my favourite things to do when I want to rejuvenate is to play the Gayatri Mantra. I find it very positive.
Words: Deepali Singh
The post Ring in the Festivities with Elli AvrRam appeared first on TMM.