SAGE ON THE STAGE
LATEST InTERVIEW
A podcast with the captivating Aruna Shields. The British Film Star turned leading therapist joins host, Dr Śankari Wegman, to share the story of her remarkable journey and tips for self-care.
Aruna spent over 10 years as a critically acclaimed lead actress, across UK, French and Indian cinema. She became a Google Zeitgeist (the most ‘Googled’ name in India) before shocking fans by leaving the film industry in 2010 to meditate and study the mind. Subsequently, she developed into a modern spiritual teacher and therapist.
Cathryn Farnsworth: Headshot 2023
Educated at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Central Saint Martins University of the Arts, London, her vast experience includes studying psychotherapy and mindfulness at Masters level, becoming an advanced meditator, working in Malibu rehabs and expertise helping entrepreneurs and people in the public eye.
Aruna is a ‘Sidha’ (highly advanced meditator able to perceive finer levels of reality). Half-British, half-Indian and a descendant of Sage Mandavya she comes from an ancient lineage of spiritual teachers dating back to 3143 B.C.E.
Birth name: Aruna Lakkur Nagappa Srinivasa Murthy
Stage name: Aruna Shields.
Specifically, her father comes from the Nagappa (King of Cobras) lineage; a clan that reveres snakes.
“Eye of the cobra”
Aruna is currently writing a book — ‘Eye of The Cobra: The Autobiography of An Unconventional Yogi’. This tantalizing book will illuminate the deepest secrets of the universe and higher states of consciousness in a profoundly entertaining way. It fearlessly digests the burlesque of Aruna’s unusual life, transmuting it all into light.
INDia’s Bond
Headhunted by Tips Industries (one of the largest studios) to play India’s version of a female Bond in Prince, she became the fastest rising star on Google. A trained Kung-Fu martial artist and former gymnast, Aruna performed all her own stunts including motorbike bungee jumps. She has over 70 million views for the movies hit song Tere Liye.
Click below for Aruna’s showreel
Play this video for Aruna’s lead role film clips
FRENCH CINEMA
After worldwide auditions held by British casting director Des Hamilton, Aruna won the lead in Ao: The Last Hunter: a gritty “beauty and the beast” love story based 30,000 years ago. The film was produced by French cinema chain UGC after their Oscar-nominated A Prophet. Other critically acclaimed lead roles include 'Nera', an artist's muse, in the arthouse feature Mr. Singh/Mrs. Mehta.
Lead role: Aki in AO The Last Hunter
PRESS
“Aruna Shields crossed cultures and firmly made her mark in the industry. With a bold and sassy demeanor and progressive work ethic, she has successfully broken boundaries. Always asserting and challenging herself as an actress. Aruna has become a dominant figure in contemporary Indian cinema. She displays an enigmatic allure that transcends any particular ethnicity. Aruna exudes intelligence and inner beauty that is paralleled by her exquisitely sculptured physique and elegantly defined features. We explore further this erudite and graceful woman.”
Aruna was one of the first women of Indian origin to cross over into mainstream fashion. She was asked to shoot for Vogue, appeared on catwalks, front covers of fashion magazines and the cover of The Times of India.
As a college student, Aruna belly danced with snakes for high profile events and won Miss India Talent. She later judged the Miss India UK contest at The Symphony Hall.
FASHION
