Someone might have ‘helped, lobbied or backed her’ — these are some of the assumptions and questions that actor Nitu Chandra Srivastava has faced ever since she made her way to Hollywood. And she claims that it is because people from the industry “can’t digest” her move towards the West.

“The fact that ek ladki aapne aap, apne balbute pe aur bina kissi ke backup ya background ke, udhar jaakar lead role kar li... It is shocking for them (industry people). They couldn’t believe it, and that’s why they are trying to pass the credit to someone or something. But I want to say, ‘Arey, apni country mein toh dilwa nahin paaye, Hollywood mein kaise dilwayenge’,” says Srivastava, who made her Hollywood debut with Never Back Down: Revolt (2021). The actor, who has signed two more projects, adds that she doesn’t harbour resentment against anyone “because karma is a big thing”.

However, Srivastava, who has featured in projects such as Garam Masala (2005), Traffic Signal (2007), Oye Lucky Lucky Oye (2008) and 13B (2009), is not in a mood to let someone else take the credit. “I’ve made everything for myself, brick by brick… It took a long time,” she concludes.

In the past few years, Indian actors have made a headway in Hollywood, with many even going on to play leads in international movies. Now, Neetu Chandra will be seen in the fourth installment of the martial arts series, Never Back Down. The actress, who returned to Mumbai recently after completing the film, says, “I started shooting from November 9 in London, and we wrapped up work in a little over a month. We are done with even the poster shoots.”

Neetu credits her background in martial arts for helping her land Never Back Down: Revolt, which is directed by Kellie Madison. “I’d gone to the US for the special screening of a film in October-November last year. That’s where I met David Zelon, producer of the series. We got talking and he learnt that I am a martial artiste, a fourth Dan black-belt in taekwondo and have represented India thrice. He said that he might be having a film for me. I didn’t take him seriously, but he offered me Revolt!” she says, adding, “I didn’t have to audition for the role, but they looked at my work, both as an actress and also as a martial artiste and sportsperson. I can proudly say that I got this movie because of my martial arts background.”

Talking about the stunts she has done in the movie, she says, “I’ve performed several forms of martial arts for the film, like MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I’ve been waiting for something which pushes me against the wall and push my limits, and I’m glad this movie happened.”