When Animal actor Vikram observed a meteorite shower in Uttarakhand

Vikram Bakshi is an actor, businessman, and former hotel employee. The self-described nomad recently appeared in Animal as Jitta. In an interview, the entrepreneur discusses his travels, this adventure, and his 100-year-old homestay in Kasar Devi, Uttarakhand.
“I was an inquisitive child who always wanted to learn more. Going out, meeting new people, and learning about their experiences always excited me. I lived alone when I moved to Chennai for my degree, which allowed me more freedom to explore. It was only during that period that I developed a sophisticated knowledge of what travel entails and the distinction between tourists and travelers! Fortunately, I made a career choice that would enable me to travel the nation and engage with many populations. Every time I go, I like learning about the culture, cuisine, clothing, and rituals of the people there. I began to see how disparate areas may be connected and similar at the same time,” is what ignited his love of travel.
He went to an area named Westcliff with a friend the last time he travelled to the UK. It’s a sleepy little town by the sea. Even if there’s not much to do, something is appealing about it. That place was serene. As he strolled around, he observed various architectural styles. He parked and ate a sandwich on a seat with a view of the bay. It was at that moment that he saw a stunning red Ferrari Day on streak down the street. Even though the day was overcast with a sliver of sun, he could still clearly recall the stunning vehicle. He was transfixed at that precise time. It had the feel of a still from a motion picture!
“I have seen something similar while observing a meteorite shower in Uttarakhand, close to the Indo-Chinese border. Even though they are two different events, the satisfaction of experiencing them was nearly the same. After that, I have a Kumaoni homestay that is a hundred years old. With its three separate units, it more closely resembles an opulent full-service homestay. It’s not easy to survive in Mumbai, which is why the homestay was founded. I wanted a reliable side gig to help support myself while I tried my hand at acting. In addition, having a space to stay by myself was pleasant. For almost a year, we worked on the homestay, and fortunately, my background in hotel management was helpful,” shared the actor about his homestay in Kasar Devi.
He was able to travel to Kasar Devi in 2019 while he was transitioning from hotel management to acting. He was ready for a little respite before the grind. He went to Kasar Devi to meet a buddy, and he fell in love with the environment right away. It was unvarnished and full of tales to share. Its history includes many notable personalities, including Bob Dylan, Uma Thurman, and Swami Vivekananda ji. It wasn’t as commercialised when he visited. They would converse with the village’s elder residents for hours on end, hearing about their experiences and tales. They would tell him about the 1970s and 1980s hippy culture of Kasar Devi.
Moreover, “This place has views that truly stand out! Despite the regrettable global commercialization, nothing compares to the 270-degree vistas of the Himalayas that one may see from this location. When I happened upon Kasar Devi, I spent some time there. After that, there was a lockdown, so I continued. I stayed in Kasar Devi with my Jodhpur friend for a month. I got to like the place. Numerous trails, waterfalls, and wildlife were found by us. I began to spend more time here as the location won my heart.”