Actress hopes other South Indian women will follow

The lead actress in a cultural comedy theatre production hopes to smash down stereotypes and encourage other South Indian women to become actors.

Kalyani Nagarajan, a 23-year-old from Mount Albert, is playing lead character Zina in Indian Ink Theatre Company’s new show Mrs Krishnan’s Party.

Nagarajan says a lack of Indian characters in the media left her doubting if she could make it as an actress.

“When I was a kid and wanted to be an actor, I saw no-one that looked like me.

“For me, it’s not about becoming a famous actress. It’s about inspiring even one [other] South Indian actress to become an actress if she wants to,” she says.

She hopes to break down stereotypes surrounding what kind of roles South Indian actresses are typically given.

“Indians aren't just funny. We are fierce . . . we can do drama. It’s not just a funny little accent.”

With the support of her parents, Nagarajan attended Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama and graduated in 2015.

Aside from plans to own her own theatre company one day, she hopes to be living and furthering her career in Canada.

She will continue to look for work while Mrs Krishnan’s Party plays in America and Canada later this year.

Mrs Krishnanan’s Party; Loft, Q Theatre; August 22-September 2