Vallisa Chauhan is a radio presenter, DJ and filmmaker. She graduated from Brunel University after studying Film and Television and embarked on her media career. She started working on a weekday radio show and during this time she started DJ'ing. Vallisa has had a very successful career in this field in the last 11 years both on radio and as one of the very few female Bollywood DJs in the UK. Vallisa also scripted and produced her own feature film called ‘Those 4 Walls’ which was directed by Ameet Chana and starred Kavi Shastri, Anthony Costa, Kabalan Verkumar, Amara Karan, Rakhee Thakrar, Kulvinder Ghir and Shaheen Khan.
She is currently working on a documentary and a few film projects as well as acting in the hit theatre show Mrs Kapoor’s daughter’s wedding.
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
New York, there is just something about it that has a part of my heart. I have been there 14 times already and have another trip booked for this year.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Presenting the flagship show on Lyca Radio, acting in Mrs Kapoor's Daughter's wedding, hosting the Rewind Tour with some massive Bollywood legends, and being nominated for Radio Presenter of the year at the Asian Media Awards.
3) What inspires you?
Seeing other people achieve. When I see someone who has managed to overcome obstacles and achieve it makes me feel like I am also capable of the same and it inspires me to work harder.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
Being a young Asian female in a man’s world. It isn't as much of a problem now as it was when I first started my career. I was naïve and although I knew I had the talent I let others tell me I wasn't good enough and I believe this held me back for a while.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My mum. She has always pushed me to achieve and has never stopped me from following my dreams. When I said I wanted to study Film and TV I didn’t get the usual response of that isn’t a career instead she supported me. Once I finished university it was my mum that said I should write a film and that is exactly what I done.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Everything. I absolutely love my job and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I wake up at 4am every weekday morning and yet as soon as I hit the studio, I have a burst of adrenaline that takes over. Being out in public and being recognised definitely gives me the extra boost needed as well as I am not just a voice anymore people know my face as well.
7) And the worst?
I suppose having to wake up so early. It means I can’t always attend events that I would like to because I do get tired.
8) What are your long-term goals?
To work on more films, it’s a passion as well as a career and I would love to act in a film which has always been on my list of things I want to achieve. I also aim to have a TV show of my own and feel is I manifest this it will become a reality.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
Make universities more accessible especially for the poor and free school meals for all children.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
It may be cliché to say but Mahatma Gandhi as I feel that there is so much you can learn from him in such a short space of time to make yourself a better human being.