People should first acknowledge that we are more than just supporting characters: Celine Tengam Koyu

Celine Tengam Koyu, who debuted as Deepa Nabam in Aspirants Season 2 and continues in Season 3, has opened up about representation and discrimination faced by actors from Northeast India, especially after Akshay Kumar highlighted the issue on Wheel of Fortune. “People should first acknowledge that we are more than just supporting characters. Northeast actors are mostly cornered in that zone… most of the time, actors from the Northeast are considered just as aesthetic, and then comes a saviour from mainland India—this narrative has to change,” she said.

Speaking about her own experience, Celine shared, “Luckily, it’s not been long since I moved to Mumbai, and I have given all my auditions from home. So thankfully nothing as such has happened. I’ve heard many casting couch incidents happening, asking for compromise from my friends in Mumbai.” She added firmly, “If I ever face discrimination for my looks, language and where I belong to, I will just say one line—My father is an Indian.”

Celine also appreciated the spotlight on the issue. “I am happy that a superstar like Akshay Kumar has brought this subject on a national platform… I sincerely hope to see a change in the thought process of people,” she said. Now based in Mumbai, she admitted, “I wish I was closer to my family… but the dreams I had were limited there. I hope Mumbai will treat me kindly and help me reach where I want to be.”

Grateful for the love she has received, she added, “People have loved me in Aspirants… now I want to prove my talent further. I am here to make my people and my state proud in front of the world.”Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”