Elli AvrRam has opened up about a difficult experience she faced while shooting for her latest web series Chummbak. The actress revealed that she experienced an anxiety attack on set for the first time in her career, describing the incident as traumatic while also crediting the show’s team for taking care of her.
At the same time, Elli was navigating a challenging period in her personal life. She said playing Alicia, a fun and flamboyant character in Chummbak, gave her an opportunity to temporarily step into a lighter emotional space.
Elli AvrRam recalls anxiety attack on Chummbak set
Elli said that although the character helped her access a more playful side of herself during a difficult period, the shoot also brought an unexpected emotional challenge.
“For the first time in my career did I get an anxiety attack on set and it was very traumatic to experience, but I was in great hands and got well taken care of,” Elli revealed.
The actress did not go into detail about the circumstances surrounding the anxiety attack, but she emphasised the support she received from the people working on Chummbak.
Her comments highlight the contrast between the demands of performing a comedy role and the personal circumstances she was experiencing away from the character.
Playing Alicia gave Elli a lighter space
Despite what she was going through personally, Elli said Alicia helped her move into a more carefree state of mind.
“It helped me a lot to get into a fun space of just being silly and free!” she said.
For an actor, stepping into a fictional personality can sometimes provide a temporary change of emotional perspective. In Elli’s case, Alicia’s flamboyant and playful nature offered a contrast to the difficult period she was experiencing.
Elli praises the Chummbak team
Elli said the atmosphere on the Chummbak set played an important role in helping her through the experience.
“The best part of the shoot was that Chummbak set is like one big family, from our director Aatish sir to producer JD sir and all actors. The environment itself was very uplifting and everyone was so supportive and fun,” she said.
She added that the experience reminded her of the positive relationships that can exist within the film industry.
“It really warmed my heart to once again be reminded of how many beautiful people we also have in the film industry,” Elli said.
The actress’s comments suggest that the support of her colleagues became an important part of her experience while working on the series.
Why Elli AvrRam loves comedy
Comedy is not a new genre for Elli. The actress said she has enjoyed comedy and sitcoms since childhood because of their ability to create a lighter viewing experience.
“I’m all for comedies and especially sitcoms because it’s so light and entertaining that it always leaves you feeling good,” she said.
Her interest in comedy dates back to her school years.
“In fact, since my childhood have I been enjoying to imitate funny characters. Even in school did I perform comedy plays,” Elli recalled.
That background made Chummbak a natural opportunity for her to explore a genre she already enjoys.
Elli AvrRam plays Alicia in Chummbak
In Chummbak, Elli plays Alicia, a guest who arrives in the Chummbak colony. The actress has teased that her character’s arrival could lead to unexpected developments.
“My character comes in as a guest into the Chummbak colony, but who knows what happens next! Hehe,” she said.
Alicia’s personality also marks a departure from some of Elli’s earlier comic work. She described the character as more outspoken and image-conscious.
“If I compare the two roles with each other, then Alicia’s character is more loud and diva-centric,” Elli explained.
The description points to a broader comic performance built around Alicia’s personality and her interactions with the other residents of the colony.
Elli AvrRam reunites with Neena Gupta
Chummbak also gave Elli the opportunity to work with Neena Gupta again after their earlier collaboration in Goodbye.
“It was fun working with Neena mam again after Goodbye which was another comedy role of mine I thoroughly enjoyed portraying,” Elli said.
While the two actors have previously shared screen space, Elli noted that the characters in the two projects are different, particularly when it comes to Alicia’s more flamboyant personality.
Elli credits Aatish for shaping Alicia
Elli also praised Chummbak director Aatish for helping her develop Alicia.
She described him as a “genius in comedy” and said his approach involved performing scenes himself and guiding the actors through the material.
For Elli, that direction helped shape the character and understand the comic rhythm required for the series.
While Chummbak gave her an opportunity to return to comedy, the shoot also became a personally challenging experience. Elli’s account of her anxiety attack and the support she received from the team adds another dimension to her experience behind the scenes, while her enthusiasm for Alicia shows why the project also provided moments of enjoyment during a difficult period.
