Aathira Rajeev (born December  9, 1995) is an Indian American actress, choreographer,  dancer, model and humanitarian.   The recipient of numerous accolades, including being crowned at Showbiz India's prestigious pageant (2019). She is recognized for being the winner of Star Plus TV’s popular dance reality show, Nach Baliye Season 7 UAE Challenge (2015).

 

Aathira started her career in a very young age with several photo shoots and debuted in a music album track, Isabella (2017), by the renowned singer, Najim Arshad. Her journey started there and she is currently a well known artist in Los Angeles.

 

As a public figure, Aathira has been cited as one of the most multi-talented artists among communities around Los Angeles. As an Indian artist, on International land, Aathira is recognized over other artists due to her unique traditional and cultural flavor along with a classy American work ethic. 

 

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FAMILY

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Aathira Rajeev was born in Bangalore, India. Her parents are Rajeev Aalinkeel and Ajitha Rani Rajeev.  She has a younger brother, Krishna Rajeev. Until the age of nine, being an only child, Aathira talks about how the arrival of her brother brought pure joy to her life. 
 

Her grandparents, specifically, her grandfather, Janardhanan Aalinkeel’s faith in her is what she holds on to the tightest. Her grandmothers, Nalini, and Anandavali, are the great women who inspired her to stay tough and strong through her early life in every circumstance.

 

EARLY LIFE 

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At the age of 4, she moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates  with her parents and completed her studies up until the senior level.  Her first memories start in Millennium School, Dubai where she studied until fifth grade. Her next school was an all girl’s school, Wesgreen International School, Dubai, where after years of bullying and not being able to fit in,  she decided to move to Kerala, India for her high school hoping to find solace in her hometown. 

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While at High school girl's hostel in Global Public School, Kerala, she was further introduced to  an experience, which helped her to grow as an individual.  She experienced bullying and loneliness, from which she rose to her feet when she started university back in Dubai. Her college education  continued with the foundation course in Manipal University, Dubai where she finally found that fitting in wasn’t what she wanted and she started taking pride in the fact that she stood out from the crowd. 

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She then went on to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Heriot-Watt Scottish University, Dubai. 

After her graduation she moved to New York, USA for her higher studies and earned a certification in Dance from the renowned Broadway Dance Centre in New York city, New York and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Acting from New York Film Academy, Los Angeles,  California. Now she is residing in Los Angeles, USA , the hub of Hollywood movies and TV series pursuing her modelling, choreography and acting.

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She showed an interest in dance from a young age and it was the key element that kept her going through all the years. As a young child of age five, she started learning a form of dance that was native to South India called Bharatanatyam. For nine and a half years, it molded her artistic capability and provided her with strong basics for the future. She then discovered an interest in other genres of dance and choreography. 

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Aathira received rigorous training in different forms of dance which includes various Indian and western styles. This capability leads her to a versatile choreographer and dancer. She now has a roster of styles she covers including, but not limited to dancehall, reggaeton, hip-hop, contemporary, Latin, Bollywood, Bhangra, street jazz  etc. 

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She also excels in painting and arts. Playing with color and mediums of paints, kept her spark of creativity alive and depression in a box,  during tough times.

 

CAREER

 

From a younger age itself, she was very active in stage, theatre performances, dance and drama. She has done several choreographies for large group performances. 

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Aathira was named Dance Club President of Heriot Watt University.

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While studying in New York film Academy,  she was very involved in the dance troupe of the Academy and was selected to be one of the lead choreographers for the Troupe managing over 40 dancers.

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Her professional career started when she was casted as the lead in a music album video named Isabella by the renowned Singer, Najim Arshad (2015).

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She went on to choreograph for the TV series Jasper and Errol's First Time on Viceland TV.  When the production was having trouble finding the right sprinkle of spice for the show, they came across this talented and authentic choreographer who has experience and a vast knowledge in Bollywood dancing. That was exactly what they needed and Aathira was casted as a guest star on the show along with her crew of dancers. Her performance and work ethic was stunning to the point where CBS Studios had a recommendation letter delivered personally.

 

This started her artistic journey and upward hill of success for this Indian girl, Aathira, in Hollywood. For her, from several independents to TV shows and fashion shows, achieving auditions was never a struggle.

 

Aathira has been casted over several models for different fashion shows held within Los Angeles after being discovered by Smita Vasant, a talent scout in LA.  She walked the ramp for several disigners including Annora's Trove and Namaslay which are popular Indian designers in Los Angels and was often selected to be the showstopper for these shows.

 

Aathira is also known for her extensive work with several photographers in Los Angeles. During her pageant in 2019, she was crowned Miss Photogenic by the renown Bollywood celebrity photographer, Ash Gupta. He was  astounded by her talent as a model.  She has worked on several shoots and projects with him closely.

 

She has also worked with Andre Forrest, a photographer known for his work in A Magazine, Burr Magazine, etc. and collaborated on several model visual videos with him.

 

In addition to her artistic carear, Aathira is known for her humanitarian efforts.  She is always standing for equality and against animal abuse,. All the while she was  representing her country in all her endeavors with  pride.

 

During her college time, she conducted and choreographed a dance for breast cancer awareness and won the competition presented by the organization Protect Your Mom Campaign. She was also invited to perform in the campaign for several years after the win by the director of the campaign. 

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FILMOGRAPHY

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Solace in Destruction  (2017)

Dance (Short  film) (2017)

You Ever Been Violated (Monologue ) (2017)

Short (Silent Horror Film) (2017)

Alone  (2018)

His Fingers, My Skin, Your Touch (2018)

Diapers are Overrated (2018)

Far from the Trial  (2019)

 

DANCE & CHOREOGRAPHY 

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Current - Asif Ballaj (2020)

Yarri Yeah - Mickey Singh (2018)

Nach Baliye season 7 - UAE (2015)

Blue Butterfly - Danny Zee (2019) 

Yes - Asmik Shiroyan (2019) 

Beauty  (2019)

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ACHIEVEMENTS

 

2389 movements in group dance by Step & Groove - Hip hop - Guinnes Record (2013)

Nach Baliye Season 7 - UAE Chapter  - Winner (2015)

Miss Asia International Pageant - Miss Outstanding Talent (2018)

Miss Reshma Beauty - Winner (2019) 

Enchanted Forest Fashion Show (2019)

LA India Fashion Week (2019)