Chrisann Pereira’s Inspiring Return to Cinema After Overcoming Imprisonment

Chrisann Pereira is back on screen in the film Waack Girls, playing Tess Saxby, an Anglo-Indian jazz dance teacher. She completed filming in February 2023 and recently finished a two-day patchwork. To prepare for her role, Chrisann recorded her scenes on her phone to maintain emotional and physical consistency. She also used ankle weights to improve her dance movements. As an Anglo-Indian, she infused authenticity into her character by adding personal details, like the surname “Saxby.”

Chrisann’s return to acting comes after a challenging experience. In April 2023, she was wrongfully accused of drug offenses and imprisoned in Sharjah. She traveled to Dubai to audition for an international web series. Cleared of all charges, she returned to Mumbai in August. Chrisann described those months as an experience of just existing, not living. Support from her family, friends, and trauma therapy helped her heal. Returning to the set felt like a blessing, thanks to the support from the Waack Girls team.

After her ordeal, she also returned to the stage with her new play, Chattaans. Performing in front of an audience was nerve-wracking, but the theatre community’s response was positive. Chrisann expressed gratitude for the solidarity she received during her time in prison. The Drama School Mumbai organized support events, and her peers raised awareness about her situation on social media. Some production houses even showed interest in telling her story.

Chrisann concluded that her love for cinema led her to prison, but it was that same passion that helped her return, stronger than ever.