CIB Exclusive: Aaliyah Qureshi - "Ananya connected with me at an emotional level, she was an unexpressed and unexplored part of myself!”

CIB Exclusive: Aaliyah Qureshi - "Ananya connected with me at an emotional level, she was an unexpressed and unexplored part of myself!”

Aaliyah Qureishi, also known by her stage name Jhalli, appeared in a key role as Ananya, a musician, in the second season of the much-revered amazon prime vide flagship web series, ‘Bandish Bandits’. Making her debut as a songwriter and playback singer, she contributed two soulful tracks, "You and I" and "You and I (Lo-Fi)", to the show’s epic soundtrack while showcasing her multifaceted talents.

In a free-wheeling conversation with Cineblues, Aaliyah spoke about her career journey, how she started off as a singer-songwriter and musician. Acting, she admits, happened through persistence and chance. Her breakthrough came with the Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Jawan’, where her portrayal of Janvi, one of the girls of the all-girls vigilante squad, earned her widespread recognition. With increasing opportunities and auditions, she landed the coveted role in ‘Bandish Bandits’ Season 2, directed by Anand Tiwari.

Her academic background is equally impressive. She completed her education at the University of Southern California (USC), where she studied psychology and music, all the while taking acting classes. She later attended the prestigious Musician’s Institute in Los Angeles, performing at iconic venues like the Staples Center, Whiskey A Go Go, Silverlake Lounge, and Hollywood Live House.

When asked about her experience working on Bandish Bandits Season 2, Aaliyah expressed her excitement: “It feels surreal, and I was super thrilled to be part of such a hit web series. This project gave me the unique opportunity to blend my musical and acting talents, something you’ll see when you watch Bandish Bandits Season 2. I really hope the audience experiences it!”

With the astounding success of ‘Bandish Bandits’ Season 2 , Aaliyah Qureishi has shone again, proving her versatility as a musician turned actor. Following the massive success of Jawan, this marks another milestone in her promising career.