Amara Karan
| Amara Karan | |
|---|---|
 Amara Karan during Olympic Torch Relay in London 2008 |
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| Born | Amara Karunakaran 1 January 1984 Wimbledon, London |
| Years active | 2007-present |
Amara Karan (Tamil: அமரா கரன்) (born Amara Karunakaran, 1 January 1984) is an English actress who made her film début as the love interest in Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited. The film premièred at the 2007 Venice Film Festival. Her character was described in The Hollywood Reporter as "the train's attractive Indian stewardess"[1] while Time called her 'lovely'[2] and Variety called her character the "comely train stewardess Rita", stating that "newcomer Karan makes a strong impression as the sexy 'sweet lime' girl".[3] Karan's second film role was as wannabe airhead Peaches in the 2007 St Trinian's film.[4]
She made her stage début in a 2008 RSC production of The Merchant of Venice.
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[edit] Background
Karan was born in London, England to Sri Lankan Tamil parents who had emigrated to England from Zambia two years before she was born. She was born and brought up in Wimbledon and attended Wimbledon High School.[5] She shortened her surname to Karan.[6]
Karan went on to study at St Catherine's College, Oxford University[7] and while there began acting in amateur plays including Sunday Morning at the Centre of the World at the Burton Taylor Theatre for which she received rave reviews[8] and was also singled out for her performance in When We Are Married at the Old Fire Station theatre.[9] During her time at Oxford, Karan wrote, directed, produced, and acted in a short film, By Myself, which came in second place in the 2002 Shoestring Shorts Competition.[10]
She began her career as an investment banker (at Hawkpoint and CIBC World Markets) specialising in mergers and acquisitions,[11] before studying for an MA degree in acting[citation needed] at The Arts Educational Schools London.[12]
She carried the 2008 Olympic Torch during its time in London.[13]
[edit] Filmography
[edit] Film
- 2002 - By Myself (short)
- 2007 - The Darjeeling Limited as Rita
- 2007 - St Trinian's as Peaches
- 2009 - Harmonica Swing (short) as Mary
- 2009 - King Jeff (2short) as Ashley
- 2011 - The Task as Toni
[edit] Television
- The Bill
- Match Day Violence (2007) as Abha Chaudhari
- Poirot
- Cat Among the Pigeons (2008) as Princess Shaista
- Doctor Who
- The God Complex (2011) as Rita
[edit] Radio
- The Making of a Marchioness (2007) as Lady Agatha
[edit] Theatre
- The Merchant of Venice (2008) as Jessica
- The Taming of the Shrew (2008) as Bianca
[edit] References
- ^ "The Hollywood Reporter". http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film/reviews/article_display.jsp?rid=9718.[dead link]
- ^ "Owen Wilson: Art Imitates Life". Time. September 3, 2007. http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1658495,00.html. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
- ^ Simon, Alissa (September 3, 2007). "The Darjeeling Limited Movie Review". Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117934573.html?categoryid=1263&cs=1&query=The+Darjeeling+Limited.
- ^ St. Trinian's (2007)
- ^ SW - Back to school
- ^ The desi British 'Hottie' in Darjeeling Limited
- ^ Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Natalie Portaman Finish Filming for Wes Anderson’s New Movie ‘Darjeeling Limited’ | Gauravonomics Diary
- ^ Sunday Morning at the Centre of the World
- ^ Drama - Drama - The Oxford Student - Official Student Newspaper
- ^ oxford : multimedia & digital video
- ^ "Banker's foray into film pays dividends". Daily Mail (London). October 26, 2007. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/bazbamigboye.html?in_article_id=489819&in_page_id=1794.
- ^ http://www.artsed.co.uk/students.asp Arts Ed Students
- ^ www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk
[edit] External links
- Amara Karan at the Internet Movie Database
- Amara Karan presentation
- Amara Karan article
- Times article, October 13, 2007
- Guardian Article
- Economist Article
- 1984 births
- Living people
- English people of Tamil descent
- English people of Sri Lankan descent
- People educated at the Arts Educational Schools
- English film actors
- English Hindus
- English television actors
- English stage actors
- English radio actors
- Royal Shakespeare Company members
- Shakespearean actors
- Alumni of St Catherine's College, Oxford
- People educated at Wimbledon High School
- People from Wimbledon, London
