We recently connected with Mahima Pundir and have shared our conversation below.

Mahima, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Growing up in a small town in India, I felt like I was stuck in a Bollywood movie, minus the songs. It was full of drama, emotions, and a whole lot of action.

But my love for animation was always there. I’d take apart my toys, turn them into puzzles, and then get lost in my own little world.

When my mom introduced me to ‘Toy Story,’ it was like a bolt of lightning. Watching those toys come to life was amazing and it ignited a passion for cartoons that i didn’t know existed.

Even though I was supposed to take a career route in finance, ‘Tangled’ changed everything. The movie taught me that it’s okay to be different and to follow your dreams. So, I took a risk and decided to study animation instead.

And guess what? I used to be a HUGE Barbie fan. Me and my siblings would save up our allowances to buy those movies. We used to have DVDs during that time. We used to watch the reruns and would play them so many times that even now my brother remember the ost’s by heart. I was always amazed at how their dresses would magically change. It turns out that there’s a whole team of super-talented artists who make that happen! So, I chose to specialize in technical animation, and now I’m living my best life, bringing magic to the screen.

Mahima, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Growing up in a small Indian town, I always felt like I was living in a low-budget Bollywood movie — minus the songs, glam, and slow-motion drama. While everyone around me dreamed of becoming doctors or engineers, I was the odd one out. I spent most of my time taking apart my toys and imagining they were on secret spy missions.

My mom thought I’d completely lost it. She’d walk into my room to find broken dolls and cars scattered everywhere while I sat in the middle like some tiny mad scientist. But honestly? I wasn’t breaking them — I was reimagining them. I was a toy tinkerer before I even knew what that meant.

Then one day, my mom showed me Toy Story, and something just clicked. Watching those toys come to life on screen felt like someone had taken my imagination and put it in a movie. It was magical… and also kinda creepy (not gonna lie). But mostly, it made me fall in love with animation.

From that point on, I was hooked. I wanted to be the person behind the magic. But let’s be real — not everyone was supportive. Most people around me didn’t even know animation could be a job. “You want to make cartoons? Are you serious?” “You’ll end up broke!” You know… classic desi advice.

But I didn’t listen. I started saving up every bit of my pocket money to buy animation books, DVDs, and software. I practiced non-stop — even though my drawings looked like blobs and my animations were clunky.

Then came the Barbie movies. Oh man, I was obsessed. I’d watch them on repeat, totally mesmerized by how the dresses would magically transform. I remember thinking, “Who made that sparkle? Who made her hair bounce like that?” That curiosity pushed me deeper into the technical side of animation.

So I finally decided to study animation — and yeah, it was tough. There were long nights, lots of trial and error, and way too much pizza. But slowly, I got better. I learned the tools, figured out how to bring characters to life, and even made a stick figure dance the Macarena (I was SO proud of that one).

Eventually, I landed my first real job in animation. And now? I work as a technical animator — I build the digital skeletons for characters, create cloth and hair simulations, and help make those magical moments happen. Basically, I make sure cartoon characters don’t end up bald or with their outfits flying off. Someone’s gotta do it!

Even today, my relatives still give me confused looks when I try to explain what I do. But I just laugh. Because I know that little girl who turned her toys into secret agents would be so proud of where she is now.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part? It’s that moment — big or small — when something you created moves someone.

It could be a kid’s eyes lighting up because a character feels real. Or a fellow artist saying, “Whoa, how did you do that?” Or even just that quiet satisfaction when something finally works the way you imagined it in your head. That’s the magic. That’s the high we chase.

Also, there’s a deep sense of freedom in being able to tell stories or express ideas through your art — whether that’s in a frame of animation, a rig that moves like butter, or a simple piece of cloth that dances in the wind. We take the invisible and make it visible. We create feeling from pixels. And that’s something not many people get to say about their job.

Another huge reward is when people connect emotionally with the work — even if they don’t know my name or what I did exactly. Knowing I helped create something that made someone smile, feel nostalgic, or even inspired — that’s a magical feeling. And honestly, being able to blend tech and art — two worlds that seem so far apart — into something beautiful? That’s the best kind of alchemy.

Plus, let’s be real: working in animation means I never really had to give up my love for toys or cartoons. It’s beyond all the technical and artistic wins, the most fulfilling part for me is knowing that I never let go of that inner child —
that 12 year old Mahi (the one who watched cartoons and believed in magic.) would be very proud of that 25 year old Mahi who just turned that passion it into a career. That’s pretty awesome, honestly? That’s priceless.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Absolutely. One thing I think a lot of non-creatives don’t always see is just how much invisible effort goes into bringing creativity to life — especially in animation. People often say, “Oh, you just make cartoons” or “You add pretty cloth and hair to characters,” but there’s so much more behind it. Sometimes I’ll spend hours — even days — just trying to get a sleeve to move naturally or a piece of cloth to fall just right. And the funny part? If I’ve done it well, most people won’t even notice. Because it’s meant to look effortless.

But the truth is, it rarely is. Creativity isn’t just about sitting in a cozy corner and waiting for inspiration to strike like a lightning bolt. It’s a mix of long nights, failed attempts, tiny wins, and constant learning. It’s revisiting the same thing again and again, fixing, adjusting, questioning yourself — until one day, it finally clicks. Some days you’re flowing with ideas, and other days you’re just doing your best to keep that creative spark alive.

What many people don’t realize is that being creative is work. Real, tough, emotional work. It’s problem-solving, it’s technical, and it’s often exhausting. And what makes it even more personal is that we pour so much of ourselves into what we create. Our work isn’t just “output” — it’s our perspective, our emotions, our identity. So when something doesn’t land, or when our work is misunderstood or undervalued, it stings in a way that’s hard to explain. It’s not just missing a deadline — it can feel like a piece of you got overlooked.

But here’s the thing — we keep going. Even when it’s hard. Even when it hurts. Because this is who we are. Creating is how we breathe, how we process the world, and how we connect with others. And there’s something incredibly beautiful about that

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mahimapundir30.wixsite.com/ceoistrush
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceoist.rush?utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahima-pundir-2b644a191
• Other: [email protected]