FROM Hereford to Bollywood in less than two years, Pippa Hughes has taken the Indian film industry by storm.

A former pupil at Hereford Cathedral School and Hereford Sixth Form College, Pippa has just been nominated for the Indian Television Academy Awards 2018 as best female actress.

Her manager, Sophie Elizabeth says she is “hugely proud” of Pippa, whose striking looks and talent have made her a “huge name” in the Bollywood industry.

Her success as a dancer has propelled her into acting, and she has gone on to play multiple lead roles. Pippa is now a fluent Hindi speaker and with her tremendous drive she is learning Mandarin with the prospect of working in China.

“And America will be calling shortly, we have no doubt,” says her manager.

She has been nominated for the best actress for the Indian TV awards in Mumbai – the biggest TV awards in India. Similar to the BAFTA TV awards in Britain, the difference is that she is up against some of India’s best known actresses in a country with a 1,300 million plus population.

Her climb up the ladder of fame began as a backing dancer behind Bollywood’s biggest celebrities for the Filmfare Awards 2017 for live television, Sony Channel. She performed as a backing dancer for Bigg Boss 2017, the Indian version of Big Brother on live TV. She has also been a dancer in various popular music videos with some of the biggest names in Indian entertainment and her latest music video entitled ‘Dorr’ managed to hit 11 million views in a matter of weeks.

Her break into the massive Bollywood movie industry as an actress came with the movie, Shivaay in 2016 as a stunt double, but requested by famous actor, Ajay Devgn to return as a character role, a break that was to lead to numerous lead roles.

The good news for film and dance hopefuls is that Pippa will be back in this country next week, and back in the West Midlands for her lively Bollywood Workshop tour. During this time she will be visiting dance schools and teaching younger performing arts’ students about following a passion and working abroad. She will also of course, be offering guidance on some Bollywood steps, common Hindi words and giving a taste of her celebrity lifestyle in India.

Dance schools can get in touch with Pippa to book teaching time at www.pippahughes.com/workshops.