Inspiring Women Every Wednesday: Manisha Ram Kelkar

ACTRESS IN INDIAN CINEMA & A RACER ON INTERNATIONAL STAGE

Manisha Ram Kelkar an inspiring women, is a versatile Indian actress and accomplished Kathak dancer. She marked her acting debut in the Marathi film arena with the ensemble cast feature “Hyancha Kahi Nem Nahi,” under the direction of Kedar Shinde. In Bollywood, she garnered critical acclaim for her role in “Bandook.” Additionally, she ventured into Telugu cinema with the film “Friend Request.”

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Her Car Racing Passion

An LGB Formula 4 race driver on a National level, she has won podiums in Autocross and Gymkhana races in Bangalore and Mumbai; and was felicitated by Mr. Kiren Rijiju, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports.

Chosen to compete in the Formula Women McLaren GT Cup in the United Kingdom, she emerged as one of the Top 50 contenders out of a pool exceeding 1000 participants globally. Manisha earned selection for the Nations Cup, tasked with representing India in the Middle East, amidst 22 nations vying for supremacy.

Famous personality on silver screen

Beyond the silver screen, Manisha, has been an inspiring women, taken center stage as a host for various prestigious events including the Times of India red carpet, Asian Film Festival, Times Marathi Film Technical Awards, Comedy Express, Marathi Film Awards on ETV Marathi, and as a host for the Cricket World Cup on Zee 24 Taas.

Notably, she showcased her adventurous spirit as a strong contender in the pioneering reality show “Zhunj Marathmoli,” the first-ever adventure-themed Marathi reality series on ETV Marathi.

Manisha shares her remarkable journey of resilience following a harrowing near-fatal accident in her in her TEDx Talk titled “What To Do When Dreams Shatter.”

TEDX Talk Speaker

Having enduring five vertebrae fractures, a broken rib, and intestinal perforations, she shares how she found the strength to overcome adversity. Through her narrative, Manisha is inspiring women, empowers those facing similar challenges, offering hope and motivation in the face of adversity.

She is the daughter of noted writer Ram Kelkar (who has written scripts for films like Hero, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak) and Jeevan Kala, an actress and trained Kathak dancer (who danced in the song Hasta Hua Noorani Chehra among many others). Academically, Manisha holds a B.Sc. degree in microbiology and pursued further studies in Mass Communication and Filmmaking at the Post-Graduate level.

In Conversation with Manisha Ram Kelkar
– Preeti Juneja

Q. What sparks greater enthusiasm in you—acting or car racing? Will you leave one for the other to pursue as a full-time career?

The camera holds a special place in my heart; it’s the love of my life. When I’m acting, I breathe life into other characters, and when I’m racing, I feel genuinely alive. Both acting and racing are integral parts of who I am; they’re like extensions of myself.

Acting allows me to immerse myself in diverse worlds, embodying various characters and experiencing a spectrum of emotions. Each role enables me to live multiple lives within this one existence.

Comparatively, racing serves as a profound journey of self-discovery. It teaches me invaluable lessons about composure in adversity and the balance between competitiveness and empathy. Through racing, I’ve learned that life is a series of victories and defeats, but the key is to keep moving forward on this beautiful journey called life. As long as my passion burns bright for what I do, I will never part ways with either acting or racing, thereby inspiring women.

Q. On a global scale, do you believe there is sufficient representation from India in Formula Racing? What obstacles did you encounter while striving to enter this league, particularly following the accident you had?

Engaging in motorsports requires significant financial investment. Even talented individuals often rely heavily on sponsorship. In India, there’s a noticeable dearth of information about motorsports, but the landscape is gradually evolving for the better.

Following my accident, I encountered numerous obstacles in my motorsports journey. Suffering fractures in the fourth and fifth vertebrae, along with a broken 13th rib and severe intestinal perforations, led to an extended period of being bedridden. However, the most formidable challenge I faced was coping with the post-accident trauma. Despite the immense struggle, my unwavering passion for racing cars served as the driving force that enabled me to overcome these hurdles.

Q. What is the best way to get into Formula racing?

Start with Karting: Develop fundamental skills in a cost-effective and accessible environment.
Join a Racing School or Club: Receive professional coaching and guidance.
Attend Racing Events: Learn from observing races firsthand.
Network within the Racing Community: Build connections for opportunities and support.
Progress through Racing Series: Gradually move from entry-level to higher-level formula racing categories.
Seek Sponsorship and Support: Secure financial backing to fund participation in higher-level racing series.
Stay Committed and Persistent: Maintain dedication, perseverance, and continuous improvement.

Q. You actively support various sports and advocate for increased women’s participation. Tell us more about it.

I aspire to inspire and influence as many motorsports enthusiasts, especially women, to embrace the sport. Drawing from my experience owning a complete women’s team in the #AdidasPremierLeague, I aim to create opportunities and platforms encouraging women to participate and excel in sports.

Q. If you were to convey a message for a social cause to a broader audience, what would it be, and what is the underlying reason for your choice?

Accelerating Change: Empowering Lives on and off the Track

By fostering inclusivity and empowerment within the racing community, I hope to ignite a passion for motorsport among women and pave the way for their success in this exhilarating field.

As both an actor and a motorsports racer, I believe in the power of passion and purpose. I’m dedicated to driving positive change in our society on and off the track. Social causes of empowering individuals to pursue their dreams, regardless of gender or background. Together, let’s accelerate change and make a lasting impact in our communities.

Let’s rev up for a brighter future.