DIDIHOOD ~ Issue 50

April is a special month over at Didihood because April 19 is when we turn four!
To celebrate our birthday, we've got a few fun things in store this month, starting with an Instagram Live with Didi and author Sonya Singh on April 13. Didihood co-founder Roohi and Sonya will be chatting about her new book, Sari, Not Sari, and we are also giving away a copy (stay tuned to our Instagram for details!). 
Have you been keeping up with our Twitter? We recently tried our first Twitter Spaces chat and we loved it, so we will be doing another one the week of our birthday. Reply to this email and let us know what you want to chat about! 
 

Did someone forward you this email? If you like what you read, subscribe here so you are always in the know on what your Didis are up to!

Meet the Didi: 

This month, we are chatting with actress Sandy Sidhu, who you'll most recently recognize from her role in Agam Darshi's film Donkeyhead. She also starred in the TV series Nurses and DC's Legends of Tomorrow. 

When did you decide to pursue acting as a career?

I've always been an artist. My mom said when I discovered what a pencil was at three years old, her walls were never the same. Drawing has always been a big part of my life and then it evolved into painting. I still paint and draw as a hobby. But it was when I discovered acting at 14 that life really changed for me. It was a feeling of connection that was unlike anything else I had ever experienced. I would say I didn't choose acting, as much as acting chose me. It was just something I couldn't shake off. It's like a switch turned on in my heart and I couldn't find the off switch. 

What were the challenges you faced in getting your career off the ground and how did you overcome them? 

I've always been open about the challenges I've experienced walking this path. Being South Asian, I never really saw examples of myself on screen. This led to a lot of insecurity, doubt, and confusion about my ability to succeed when I started to pursue acting professionally. I had a ferocious negative inner critic when I began. I was scared to take up space. Confidence took me a long time to build. It didn't help that there just weren't as many roles to audition for when I first started. But when I slowly started recognizing that building my self worth was incredibly important, that's when everything changed for me. The more confidence I grew, the more I started to work. Self love was key to my success. I am so grateful to that part of myself that never gave up and kept going. I love my life today and actually am thankful for all the challenges I had experienced. It shaped and nurtured me into who I am today and gave me a tremendous amount of gratitude for what I have. 

We are finally seeing more South Asian representation on screen, as someone who works in the industry, have you noticed a change?

I've definitely noticed a change. There's a lot more South Asians on screen today than just five years ago. That being said, there is still so much progress to be had. How many shows or films are on the market right now with an Indian actress as the number one lead? Not many. There's still work to be had. 

Tell us about your experience working on your latest film Donkeyhead:

Filming Donkeyhead was truly one of the happiest experiences of my career. I had never belly laughed as much as I did on that set. Agam Darshi, Stephen Lobo, Huse Madhavji and I instantly connected and got along so well. We were all in Regina, and some days it was -40 degrees which meant you couldn't go outside. We all stayed in the same apartment complex so most evenings we'd hang out after set. It was such a special time. That really created a bond we still have today and I feel it translated through on screen to our characters. Agam was also an incredibly sensitive and thoughtful director to work with. She listened and was open. Because she is an actress herself, she knew how to make us feel at ease and gave us the flexibility we needed. In terms of the story, it's still rare to get fully South Asian stories sent my way. Agam pushes the envelope and puts a spotlight on narratives that are still untold. I'm very proud to be part of this film. 

Prior to this, you also starred in the show Nurses. What was that experience like? 

It was my first leading role as a series regular. I'm so grateful to the producers of the show for taking a chance on me and giving me such a rewarding experience. It was also a special project to me for personal reasons. My character on the show, Nazneen, immigrated from India to Canada and became a nurse. My mother immigrated from India to Canada and became a nurse. While Nazneen and my mother are very different in personality and socio-economic background, they are both pioneers who had to possess great bravery and courage to take a chance in an unknown environment. This role meant a great deal to me. I was very protective of Nazneen and loved playing her. 

What advice would you give to a Didi hoping to pursue a similar career path?

Now is an incredible time for South Asian women to enter the film industry. More and more opportunities are opening up. Believe in yourself. Be kind to yourself. There is no one path to success. Don't compare yourself or think you have to be on some sort of timeline. There are no rules. There really aren't. Someone in the industry has always defied the odds. No one can ever be you and that is your gift. Celebrate and love what you have to offer. I believe in you!  

What we're reading:

Seeing 'Didis' on Screen: What South Asian Representation on 'Bridgerton' means to the diaspora, by Olivia Bowden and featuring Didihood co-founder Roohi Sahajpal. 

Mindy Kaling and her production company featured in TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies of 2022. 

"An Icon, A Star, A Diva": How Priyanka Made Drag History by Imaan Sheikh in The Juggernaut. 

For South Asian Women, Living Alone Can Be Healing by Sahar Arshad in Teen Vogue — and we may be chatting about this one in our Twitter Spaces this month! 

— Nikkjit Gill 

Issue 50 
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