Zander Lama

Biography

Zander Lama is a Nepal-born model and actor who has successfully transitioned from a celebrated career on the fashion runway to making significant strides in the Indian entertainment industry, including an upcoming major role in Bollywood. Known for his distinctive features and commanding presence, he has become a flagbearer for inclusivity in Indian fashion and is now making his mark on screen.

Early Life and Background: A Journey Rooted in Nepal

Zander Lama was born in Nepal, with his mother hailing from Lamjung. His heritage also includes Korean and Indian roots, as his father is Indian-Korean. This diverse background has allowed him to speak Hindi, English, Nepalese, and Korean.

He began his career in 2013 as a runway model, a field where he initially faced challenges due to his "oriental features" and body type, which were considered atypical for ramp models at the time. However, his strong posing skills and confidence helped him overcome these hurdles. He quickly gained recognition for his unique look and poise, gracing the runways of major events like Lakmé Fashion Week, GQ Fashion Night, FDCI India Fashion Week, India Couture Week, and Blender's Pride. He has walked for renowned designers such as Rohit Bal, Manish Malhotra, and Sabyasachi.

His success in modeling led to him being featured on the covers of prominent magazines like Vogue, GQ, Cosmopolitan, Brides, and Harper's Bazaar. In 2021, he was awarded "Supermodel of the Year" at the India Fashion Awards, solidifying his status as a top model. He is also noted for his role in promoting diversity and inclusivity within the Indian fashion industry, being one of the first models to represent oriental features in India.

Career: Stepping into Acting and Bollywood

After a successful decade in modeling, Zander Lama began to explore new pursuits, including acting and even planning a clothing line with his mother. His transition into acting has been marked by notable projects:

Web Series Debut: Zander made his acting debut in the web series "Ninja," which was released on JioCinema and Hotstar. He also had a prominent role as an underground hip-hop artist in the JioCinema series "Khalbali Records" (2024), where he played the character of Ninja. This role allowed him to portray an individual rising from anonymity to recognition, navigating the struggles and victories of chasing a dream in the competitive world of hip-hop.

Bollywood Breakthrough: "Aashiqui 3" (Upcoming): A significant milestone in Zander's acting career is bagging the role of the lead antagonist in the highly anticipated Bollywood romantic drama "Aashiqui 3." Directed by Anurag Basu and starring Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela, the film is currently being shot in Sikkim and is slated for release on October 17. His role in "Aashiqui 3" is expected to be a major turning point, introducing him to a wider mainstream audience as a promising actor.

Zander Lama's journey reflects his dedication to his craft and his ability to adapt to new challenges. From overcoming initial industry biases in modeling to securing a villainous lead in a major Bollywood film, he is rapidly building a diverse and impactful career in the Indian entertainment landscape.