Shalini Lara Ramful : reinventing musical theatre 

The event industry is very much dynamic and always on the move. To be able to sustain in this highly competitive industry, you need to be innovative, creative and volatile. Shalini Ramful, a young entrepreneur, is one of the inspirational and influential female leaders in the event industry. 

Born in Mauritius and brought up in England, Shalini Lara Ramful, 31-years-old, is a budding entrepreneur in the event industry. She reveals that she has come back to her native country to launch her project Bollywood Showbiz Musical Theatre. She is at the head of two companies: Hot Steppers Modelling Agency and Total Media. She has a penchant for the entertainment industry. Her business activities include dance classes, modelling and acting classes, training for beauty contests, photography and modelling portfolio services, hotel and wedding dance shows and musical theatres, concerts, music videos, beach parties, dance as well fashion shows.

She confides that she is here to build up a bridge between Mauritius, India and England in terms of media business activities. “I wish that artists from Mauritius get opportunities to work with foreign producers for films, music videos, calendar photoshoots, musical theatres, as main characters and not as junior artists only. Bollywood Showbiz was designed for this purpose.” In this context, the dynamic entrepreneur will create new avenues for young people seeking careers in entertainment, as elaborated by the string of connecting domains mentioned above.  

After a few months of her arrival in Mauritius, her business expanded and she started doing more business activities such as having her own modelling agency. “I made many new friends here who are media professionals, such as top designers, makeup artists, photographers and so on. Some of them even helped me in my business.” She is very excited and positive about developing her prospects in her country of origin. “In fact, expanding my business in Mauritius has made me a much better businessperson. Mauritius has great business prospects, especially for producers like me. During next year, I am about to shoot a music video and a feature/short film in Mauritius.” 

Given that the local artists are capable, they can work beyond the casual job of just junior artists standing in the background or as back-up dancers. So why not give them a boost to prove their talent and worth?"

During initial stages, setting up her business was a bit difficult because the entertainment industry is still in its infancy in Mauritius, but then, she had some family members and friends, based here, who helped her to overcome these difficulties. Soon afterwards, she embarked on the journey of her dream project, Bollywood Showbiz. 

Bollywood Showbiz: The Musical Theatre

One of her most innovative projects is the Bollywood Showbiz: The Musical Theatre. She avers that there are many media professionals who have helped her kick start her dream project. “I have been working on this project since five years. I then decided to launch it here as I was born in Mauritius. I want to narrow the bridge between Mauritius and other countries. Mauritians artists have the potential to outshine. So, why not create opportunities for them?”   

She is a true believer of talents and she is motivated to give the Mauritian artists their due. “Given that the local artists are capable, they can work beyond the casual job of just junior artists standing in the background or as back-up dancers. So why not give them a boost to prove their talent and worth?” 

Moreover, through Bollywood Showbiz, she discovered her script writing skills and the ability to become a filmmaker and a producer. “The story of Bollywood Showbiz is based on comedy and romance. I am sure Mauritian people would love the musical theatre due soon at Serge Constantin Theatre and in our cinemas. Mauritius has had a great hand in fulfilling my dream.” 

From England to Mauritius 

Leaving her comfortable and well-settled life in England and to come back to Mauritius has certainly not been an easy task for the entrepreneur. Currently, living in Curepipe with her family, the young lady has been able to cope with her new life and environment. Due to her high Indian influence, she can fluently converse in different languages: Hindi, Punjabi, English, and a couple of other Indian languages.  

She explains that shifting to Mauritius has been very challenging. “Being brought up in London, my lifestyle has been very different from here. I had to get used to the local culture and traditions. Adapting to Mauritian lifestyle has been quite difficult initially. However, Mauritius is a really beautiful and nice country. I love Mauritius a lot. The citizens of Mauritius are very friendly and helpful. People here have helped me a lot in my business.”