Mumbai: Young Celine Tengam Koyu made her acting debut as Deepa Nabam in the second season of the popular series Aspirants and is currently seen in its third season as well. In a recent episode of Wheel of Fortune, Akshay Kumar invited his Manipur-based makeup artist to talk about discrimination faced by people from the Northeast. We tried asking the talented Celine who comes from the beautiful Arunachal Pradesh, what kind of discrimination she has faced in Mumbai.
She says,”People should first acknowledge that we are more than just supporting characters. Northeast actors are mostly cornered in that zone and there is so much potential even in storytelling. We need stronger stories, most of the time actors from North East is considered just as aesthetic and then comes a saviour from Mainland India - this narrative has to change. Luckily It’s not been long since I moved to Mumbai, I have given all my auditions from home. So thankfully nothing as such has happened. I heard many casting couch incidents happening, asking from compromise from my friends in Mumbai. And if I ever face a discrimination for my looks, language and where I belong to I will just say one line,’My father is an Indian’.
Celine also adds,”I am happy that a superstar like Akshay Kumar has brought this subject on a national platform and spoke about it. I sincerely hope and wish to see the change in thought process of the people.”
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Mar 25, 2026Celine who has now shifted her base to Mumbai as she wants to become a busy actor she says,”I wish I was closer to my family. I love my state too but the dreams I had were limited there. I hope Mumbai will treat me kindly and help me reach where I want to be.
My family, friends, well wishers, there are so many people who believe in me I think even more than I do. I gain strength from their love and encouragement. I am here to make my people and my state proud in front of the world. People have loved me in Aspirants and I have received so much support and love from the audience. And now I want to prove my talent further in those roles which I know I am capable to play
