LATEST InTERVIEW
A podcast with the captivating Aruna Shields. The British Film Star turned leading therapist joins host, Dr Śankari Wegman, to share the story of her remarkable journey and tips for self-care.
Aruna spent over 10 years as a critically acclaimed lead actress, across UK, French and Indian cinema. She became a Google Zeitgeist (the most ‘Googled’ name in India) before shocking fans by leaving the film industry in 2010 to meditate and study the mind. Subsequently, she developed into a leading therapist and coach.
Cathryn Farnsworth: Headshot 2023
Educated at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Central Saint Martins University of the Arts, London, her vast experience includes studying psychotherapy and the mind Masters level, and expertise reducing the stress of companies, entrepreneurs and people in the public eye.
Aruna is a ‘Sidha’ (highly advanced meditator able to perceive finer levels of reality). Half-British, half-Indian and a descendant of Sage Mandavya Aruna comes from an ancient lineage of spiritual teachers dating back to 3143 B.C.E.
Birth name: Aruna Lakkur Nagappa Srinivasa Murthy
Stage name: Aruna Shields.
Specifically, her father comes from the Nagappa (King of Cobras) lineage; a clan that reveres snakes.
The female Bond
Lead role as Maya in Prince (India’s version of Bond)
Headhunted by Tips Industries (one of the largest studios) to play India’s version of Bond in Prince, she became the fastest rising star on Google. A trained Kung-Fu martial artist and former gymnast, Aruna performed all her own stunts including motorbike bungee jumps. She has over 70 million views for the movies hit song Tere Liye.
ACTING SHOWREEL
Play this video for Aruna’s lead role film clips
After worldwide auditions held by British casting director Des Hamilton, Aruna won the lead in Ao: The Last Hunter: a gritty “beauty and the beast” love story based 30,000 years ago. The film was produced by French cinema chain UGC after their Oscar-nominated A Prophet. Other critically acclaimed lead roles include 'Nera', an artist's muse, in the arthouse feature Mr. Singh/Mrs. Mehta.
FRENCH CINEMA
Lead role: Aki in AO The Last Hunter
PRESS
“Aruna Shields crossed cultures and firmly made her mark in the industry. With a bold and sassy demeanor and progressive work ethic, she has successfully broken boundaries. Always asserting and challenging herself as an actress. Aruna has become a dominant figure in contemporary Indian cinema. She displays an enigmatic allure that transcends any particular ethnicity. Aruna exudes intelligence and inner beauty that is paralleled by her exquisitely sculptured physique and elegantly defined features. We explore further this erudite and graceful woman.”
Aruna was one of the first women of Indian origin to cross over into mainstream fashion. She was asked to shoot for Vogue, appeared on catwalks, front covers of fashion magazines and the cover of The Times of India.
As a college student, Aruna belly danced with snakes for high profile events and won Miss India Talent. She later judged the Miss India UK contest at The Symphony Hall.
FASHION
