Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anisa Butt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Anisa, thanks for joining us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?
There isn’t one specific event which comes into my mind. But what does is the power words have and what people say. As a creative we often need that support, not necessarily financial or the obvious kind of support but even words of encouragement, for someone to speak life into us and remind us that even if we pick a path less travelled, its going to all come together.
For myself, I have heard people, often people who are complete strangers or maybe fans of my work or the occasional creatives with a heart of gold reminding me of my “why.”
I remember Natalie, (a friend of a friend, connected us). She’s one of the few people to tell me “you deserve it.” It completely threw me off, heating this, because you often expect to hear this from a close loved one but she reminded me that my work is purposeful and that I should take a moment to reflect on my successes and be proud of them.
Post pandemic I’ve got acquainted with some incredible creatives in my line of work, who have really been open and generous and are contributing to a change in the industry. Specifically challenging, the colonial South Asian mindset of there being a lack and operating from a place of fear.
Aarti Shah and I became acquainted during the pandemic and now I’m super proud to call her a close friend. She begun a platform called “South Asian artists” in the UK and we really connected with our love and passion for the arts and wanting to champion other creatives like us. Her openness to sharing casting calls amongst other creatives and just being ready to help on a heartbeat has been super inspirational.
For me these are moments that remind me there are really beautiful, kind, generous people in the world, who aren’t just interested in taking and excelling as individuals but who recognise the importance of giving back and sharing what we know to help others.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
An overall update of my work:
Anisa Butt is a talented and multifaceted artist with a diverse range of experiences in the performing arts. She has an impressive background in theatre, film, and spoken word poetry, making her a well-rounded creative professional. Here’s a summary of her accomplishments and involvement:
Theatre:
(2023) Anisa performed in a one-woman show titled “Permission,” directed by Hunia Chawla. She is currently co-developing the show with the writer/director.
In the play tour (2023) of “Vitamin D,” directed by Melina Namdar, Anisa played three distinct characters, with her portrayal of “Bestie” receiving praise for its blend of tragedy and comedy.
(2022) Anisa played one of the leads in the production of “Halal Hens” by Zoe Iqbal as part of “Vignettes” at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester.
(2022) She played the lead protagonist ‘Tamanah,’ in “Welcome to the Jungle” directed by Umar Butt.
(2021) She played the first South Asian Cinderella on stage in the production “CinderAliyah.”
Film and TV:
Anisa featured in breakthrough feature films and TV shows while in India, including a lead role in a Disney India show called “Ishaan” and an indie feature “Brahman Naman,” which premiered at Sundance and is available on Netflix.
In “Raja’s Had Enough,” directed by Ekaterina Saiapina, the film qualified for the BIFA qualifying festival (MANIFF) and won at the Crystal Palace Film Festival (2023), where Anisa played the lead role of “Raja.”
Spoken Word and Poetry:
Besides her work as an actor, Anisa is a talented poet and spoken word artist with multiple tracks released on major streaming platforms.
She has published her debut poetry book “Hope,” available on Amazon worldwide.
Anisa has performed spoken word and headlined various shows, including “Poetry me Please,” “Vocals & Verses,” “Mind Over Matter,” and “Plugged In Poetry.”
Commissioned for a piece on ‘grief’ for Spoke World App.
Inclusivity and Leadership:
Anisa is an advocate for inclusivity and kindness in the creative industry. She has been invited to speak for companies such as INTBAU & MOSL on these topics.
She believes in amplifying underrepresented voices and champions this cause in her work as a performer and creative facilitator.
Mentorship and Programs:
Anisa was onboarded with Story Compound in 2023, being mentored by Tolu Stedford and Charlotte Knowles for their producer programme.
She is also part of the B3 media origins program 2023 cohort, and now an associate artist.
She led a project with The Youth Network, as creative director for a Documentary short, exploring race and spotlighting women (for police commissioners gala 2021).
Producing:
Micro poetry short film ‘Stuck with you’ (festivals).
Short film ‘Early Days’ Directed by Mrinalini Basu (post prod).
Micro short film: ‘Planted’ / Short narrative drama ‘Beginnings & Endings’ (in development).
For more detailed information about her work and career, you can check her resume/showreel on Spotlight (https://www.spotlight.com/profile/5767-9080-7558) and her IMDb page (http://imdb.me/Anisabutt).
I guess I chose acting very young. I decided I wanted to be an Actor when I was 12 years old. I knew it had to be art. I always had a creative spirit and was exposed to movies and music since a young child. I think I just felt the most free. At that stage, I was under the impression that art allowed me to escape “real life,” and allowed me to forget who I was and the insecurities and lack of confidence I felt on a daily basis.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
My specific journey, and opportunities that open up led me to doing significant TV and film work in Mumbai, India.
I would say however, pre streamers time, the industry was so different.
The focus there felt like it was so much on my external experience and having to fit the mould that I simply took my eye off the necessity to keep honing my craft skills. I decided when I shifted my main base back to London, that my love for the craft would die if I didn’t work on it. And the only way to become great at it is to do the work.
The main battle for me, be it in London or India was constantly believing I wasn’t enough. Every audition made me question “what do they want?” I did a complete mental shift during the pandemic in my approach to the work. I realise now, which I wish I knew earlier, that my unique imprint is in fact my super power. Individuality and our quirks isn’t something to run away from but to embrace.
I would like to give some personal shout outs here to institutions which reminded me of this. A big Big shoutout to AMAW, who reminded me that being me was enough, because I have every emotion I need at my disposal. That the more we operate from our own humanity and inject play into the work, the more full of a human we become.
Mixing networks, which do courses for acting on camera in the UK, are doing brilliant work of being about the work, making classes affordable and run by working actors/directors and producers.
Theatre absolute. Shoutout to Simon and Evelyn, for being open and generous and for pulling out the magic in everyone.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I think the mission has really changed and evolved over the years. Right now my focus has honed and I want to be part of stories that are impactful and meaningful, which champion diversity. I’ve realised I love being a storyteller. So whether it’s acting, writing, producing and or directing potentially! I want to tell untold stories or challenge perspectives. I want to leave the audience asking questions. I want themes to deeply resonate with the people watching and represent unheard voices.
It’s definitely become less about me thriving as an individual and more about growing a team of people who can thrive and create stories together. I love collaborating with creatives!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hyperfollow.com/AnisaButt?fbclid=PAAabMQESWRY4L4iwfkDvc6Fbts6VxbTJXxR4YGutrs_kJK7h-tZhWV1c58QE
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/anisaaniiam?utm_source=qr&igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg%3D%3D
- Twitter: A_nisa_i_am
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Anisaaniiam?si=BpYEBG6suD8eSxxv