Kulfi star to perform in SA

AAKRITI Sharma, known for her role as Kulfi in the television series Kulfi Kumar Bajewala and Kulfi the Singing Star, will perform in South Africa next month.

By the age of nine, Aakriti had racked up 13 awards for her performances in the shows. Now, at 12, she finds herself touring widely.

“I have been in the industry for five years now. I love acting. It is natural for me. In all my scenes in the Kulfi serial, I was just being myself. We have lots of fun together on set during the breaks,” said Aakriti.

She said she managed to balance school and work in the industry with the support of her parents and school.

“I go to a school where most children are in this field and whose parents are too, so our principal is accommodating and encourages our achievements. We catch up with our studies even during shoots. Somehow we manage.”

She said having a career in the entertainment industry was hard work.

“I have my parents support and we shifted to Mumbai from our hometown so it was all new. If you want to succeed in the industry, we have to face everything.”

Aakriti is excited about her first trip to South Africa.

“I was supposed to come for the same show in 2020, but it was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Aunty Shashika (Mooruth) was kind and promised us that she would do our show someday. We are so excited now. Rashi, the singer who has sung my songs, is joining me and we are going to have lots of fun.”

Aakriti will perform in the show, Heart to Heart with Kulfi, the Singing Star, produced and hosted by Shashika Mooruth.

Mooruth said: “I promised these kids that I would bring them to South Africa and I am going all out to ensure our audiences have a great show. Heart to Heart is a musical, fun chat show in which fans get a unique closeness to their favourite star.

“In 2018, I hosted the famous yesteryear actress Zeenat Aman and the concept was a hit. I think it is important that people get to know more about the personality behind the onscreen act. Aakriti will interact with her audiences and she will entertain with dance to Bollywood hits.”

She said Rashi Harmalkar, who sang the songs in the serial as Kulfi’s voice, was a student of Bollywood playback singer, Suresh Wadkar.

“Rashi has performed and recorded with Udit Narayan and Kumar Sanu. She will also perform songs by Shreya Ghoshal and a tribute to Lata Mangeshkar. The two little artistes are fired up to meet all fans and share their moments in making the serial together.”

◆ Heart to Heart with Kulfi, the Singing Star will be staged on October 7 at the Kendra Hall in Greyville, Durban. It will then be staged on October 8 at Theatre of Marcellus at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg. Tickets via Ticketpro or Spar outlets. For information, call 082 786 9601.