Pallavi Sharda Instagram – ‘I was inspired to be an actress through watching Hindi films’. It is what I often say to cut through the dialogue around the impact of representation. But that’s not necessarily the whole story. Olivia Newton-John was one of my idols. Perhaps more aptly, Sandy from Grease was. A woman who could move, swoon and sing in equal measures… a woman who was also – behind the mask – an Australian. I watched reruns of Grease innumerable times from my childhood living room. It – like musical Hindi films – cemented my love of character embodiment through movement, although I didn’t quite understand that yet. I remember our year 12 ‘muck up day’ (an atrocious but very fun Aussie end of school ritual) had a retro theme. I turned up in leather pants and curly hair – ‘I’m Brown Sandy’, I shrugged matter of factly. She was one of the few cult figures of my western heritage that I felt so connected to. Rest in power stalwart. We are hopelessly devoted to you 💕🙏🏽