From growing up in a conservative family to shooting her debut music video without informing them: Naagin 7’s Kanika Mann opens up about her journey

Kanika Mann, who is currently seen in Naagin 7, recently opened up about her life, career and family. In an interview with Hauterrfly, the actress spoke about growing up in a conservative family, going against her father and shooting for her debut project without informing them. She also revealed that as a kid, her parents didn't allow her to participate in extracurricular activities because they feared she would get distracted from her studies. (Photo: Instagram)

I think my family was more conservative than the environment around me. Compared to other homes I saw, I wasn’t allowed to take part in extracurricular activities in school. I used to wonder what kind of strictness this was, but they believed it would distract me from my studies. I always felt that being on stage—even during school assemblies—helps you gain confidence and slowly reduces stage fear. But they were worried that I might start enjoying the attention too much, which could affect me. Those thoughts actually troubled me more. (Photo: Instagram)

I became very stubborn. I’m the eldest of three siblings, and there was no one before me to fight these battles or guide me. So, I had to stand up for myself. I’m actually the most stubborn in my family. My siblings would easily agree to whatever they were told, but I was different because I had to break those restrictions on my own. Once I did that, things became easier for them. (Photo: Instagram)

Since I didn’t have anyone to support me, I had to be strong and firm. I even wrote letters at times, saying that no matter what happens, I’ll handle it. I didn't run away, I just stood my ground, even when my family was strongly against it. When I started doing music videos, especially around the time of ‘Rooh Afza’, they were completely against it. They kept telling me that I shouldn’t do all this, but I still chose to follow my path. (Photo: Instagram)

Maybe at some point, I just felt like trying it out and seeing what’s wrong in it. It’s not like I was very clear that I only wanted to do music videos. I actually loved studying because that’s all I had focused on since childhood. I used to do really well in school and even aimed to top my class every year. So, there was never a fixed plan to become an actor or do music videos. I just felt that I could explore this too—why not? (Photo: Instagram)

Sometimes, I would take part in debates and dance competitions without informing at home, because those things weren’t allowed. I didn’t exactly hide it, but I didn’t openly tell them either. I remember when I was in 8th grade, our school used to give small gifts like tiffin boxes for competitions instead of trophies. By the end of the year, I had collected quite a few of them. That’s when my family found out that I had been participating in all these activities. In the end, they were happy because they realised I wasn’t doing anything wrong. (Photo: Instagram)

When the second child was born in my family, I still remember the kind of conversations that used to happen in our joint family. People would say that if the first child is a girl, then having a boy next would ‘complete’ the family. I’ve heard this from so many people around me. My younger sister was born when I was about five years old, and I clearly remember those reactions. I’m sorry to say this, but it did happen—people would say that she wasn’t needed or that they didn’t want another girl. Even today, we sometimes say it jokingly, which I know is wrong, that she wasn’t wanted. But those are things I grew up hearing. (Photo: Instagram)

I was in Chandigarh at that time, staying in a hostel. One day, my family came there without telling me—it was a complete surprise, and I wasn’t even there. When I spoke to them, they told me to pack my bags and come back home. So, I went back. Once I reached home, we all sat down and spoke. Many relatives gathered and started questioning everything—where I was going, what I was doing, and why I wanted to be in front of the camera. They couldn’t understand it. For them, I was the first girl in the family to step out of the city to study. (Photo: Instagram)

Before me, no girl in our joint family had done that. Girls would study, but only within the city, with strict supervision. So, they felt I might set a ‘wrong example’ for others. I even remember when I was first dropped at the hostel, one of my father’s friends told me that my phone was being monitored and that my father would know if I spoke to anyone. It wasn’t true, but it was said just to scare me. I don’t blame them completely. I feel they had their own fears and beliefs shaped by the environment around them. (Photo: Instagram)

I got a message on Facebook for a music video offer. I thought, okay, let’s at least talk about it, but I was scared. So, I informed my uncle who lived in Chandigarh. I ended up earning Rs 3000 from it—it was my first income—but the fear was still there. At first, I thought I would perform well, but honestly, it’s never that easy. I couldn’t even watch my own video properly. You keep thinking—how am I looking, what am I wearing, how is the makeup? But somehow, it worked, and the video went viral. (Photo: Instagram)

After that, I started getting more offers. Even my family got to know by the second or third song. I went back home, but I didn’t give up. I wrote to them and said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything.’ They were scared, but I kept assuring them that I would manage. I feel most parents who stop their kids from doing something have their own reasons. It’s not that they think it’s wrong, but they worry about what relatives or society will say. They fear being judged or that their reputation might be affected if something goes wrong. (Photo: Instagram)