Meet 8-year-old Dubai kid stealing hearts with her 'Citadel' web series debut

Some acquire their skills as they grow older, while others are simply born with an abundance of talent. Kashvi Majmundar, an 8-year-old powerhouse performer, is one of those rare individuals who appears to have been born to entertain.

Effortlessly dancing, singing, and acting—without any formal training—Kashvi has captured the attention of audiences far and wide. Her viral social media presence and now, her acting debut in Citadel: Honey Bunny, streaming on Amazon Prime, are just the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary journey.

Kashvi’s parents, Pratyusha and her husband, are quick to admit they have no idea where her natural flair comes from. "We can barely even move, let alone pull off the complex dance moves she showcases so effortlessly," laughs Pratyusha. Yet, it’s clear that Kashvi’s talent is beyond what any formal training could have instilled.

Her acting debut in Raj and DK’s Citadel: Honey Bunny, where she plays the younger version of Nadia—portrayed by Priyanka Chopra—has already garnered rave reviews from fans and critics alike. What makes this even more impressive is that Kashvi had no formal acting training before landing this role.

The birth of a star

So, how did she go from a toddler who loved dancing to a viral sensation and budding actress? "I was just born with this," Kashvi says with an innocent smile. "Since I was six or eight months old, I’ve always loved dancing. My mum would put on music, and I’d start moving to the beats."

With her family based in Dubai, Kashvi calls the city home, where she studies at Emirates International School. When asked if she’s always been a natural performer, Kashvi nods enthusiastically. "Yeah! I never had formal training, but now I want to learn things like gymnastics or aerial dance."

Now, she’s playing a role on an international platform, sharing the screen with actors she’s always looked up to. "I’m really excited and inspired, too," says Kashvi, her eyes sparkling with energy, when asked how it feels to be part of such a big show.

A rising social media sensation

With over 175,000 followers on Instagram, Kashvi is also a rising social media star. "I love social media! I get to make cool reels, and I can be anything—like a superhero one day and a movie character the next. It’s really fun," says Kashvi.

"Plus, I get to connect with new friends. Sometimes, when my real friends aren’t around, I chat with people from all over the world on Instagram," she adds.

Pratyusha, who manages Kashvi’s account, is vigilant about keeping her daughter’s social media use controlled. "Kashvi’s allowed 15 minutes a day to manage her messages and posts. We keep it controlled," she adds.

While her daughter's rise on social media has opened the door to commercial opportunities, such as high-profile endorsements with Etihad Airways and Warner Brothers, it's her ability to put a smile on people's faces that truly makes Kashvi's journey worthwhile.

Pratyusha recalls one message from a woman in South Africa, who shared, "Her reels are the only thing that puts a smile on my face after my husband passed away recently." Such emotional messages are just a few of the many Kashvi gets, touching both her and her mother deeply.

The big break

Back in 2022, for the IIFA Awards at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, Moroccan-Canadian actor, dancer Nora Fatehi reached out to Kashvi via Instagram to do a solo performance with the star on stage. "Nora Fatehi’s team reached out, and asked Kashvi to do a solo performance with her at the IIFA awards," says Pratyusha.

The performance, which received thunderous applause from the audience, also caught the attention of the dancing diva herself, as Nora stopped mid-performance to take note of Kashvi’s stellar moves.

"That was when everyone started noticing her," Pratyusha recalls the moment fondly. "Yes! Nora was surprised, and even Shahid Kapoor joked, 'You’re making us look bad!'"

It wasn’t long after Kashvi's viral performance that she was offered the role in Citadel: Honey Bunny. "It was a big turning point. After that, Kashvi got spotted for the web series. Casting director Mukesh Chhabra’s team called us in for an audition, and two months later, Raj and DK reached out to say they wanted Kashvi for the role," Pratyusha recounts.

The success of this journey has been nothing short of surreal for the family. From a young girl simply sharing her love for dance on social media to being cast alongside global stars, Kashvi's rise to stardom has been swift.

When asked if the young star felt shy when the camera turned on, she responded confidently, "Not at all." Pratyusha laughs, adding, "I had to remind her that I was still there after a few hours!"

On working with Varun & Samantha

• UAE teen with photographic memory: This 13-year-old boy has a rare savant ability