HARD work and perseverance are cornerstones of any classical dancer’s life and this is perhaps the secret behind the steady progress of Durban dancer-turned-actress Kajal Bagwandeen, who has landed her second role in a soapie.
She broke the mould when she appeared as strong-willed Asha Sharma in popular Afrikaans soapie 7de Laan, and now Bagwandeen will play Devina, an arranged partner for homosexual character Prada, on SABC3’s Isidingo, making her debut in Tuesday’s 7.30pm episode.
Once a shy, reserved child who wouldn’t even get up to dance at family gatherings, Bagwandeen says dance changed her forever.
“My parents enrolled me in classes when I was five. It built my self-confidence, taught me so much about my culture and played a pivotal role in where I am today.”
As a dancer in Durban’s Nateshwar Dance Academy, Bagwandeen graced many a stage, her journey in the world of entertainment starting in community halls.
It’s interesting, then, to consider that she has an honours degree in accounting, auditing and taxation.
“My entertainment career has always run parallel to my education. I remember going to auditions for the musical Bombay Crush with my auditing notes in hand, as the exam was the next day.”
She bagged the lead role in the production directed by Junaid Ahmed, choreographed by Jay Pather and produced by Videovision Entertainment, and was bitten by the acting bug.
Many musicals and stage dramas followed, and she became a familiar face on TV when she began presenting the SABC2 religious programme Dharma Moments and the long-running Eastern Mosaic.
Her role on the long-running Isidingo means taking her talents to a wider audience.
The question is, will her character play the stereotypical Indian female or represent the South African Indian woman in all her facets?
Isidingo audiences will know the storyline already.
Prada’s grandfather has died and left him and his brother a R1 million inheritance. However, neither brother will receive a cent until each marries a woman.
Prada is gay and one can only wonder how he reacts to his arranged partner, Devina.
Bagwandeen says the “arranged marriage” plot line did not sit well with her at first.
“It’s just not a part of our culture in South Africa, and no one I know – not even my parents’ generation – have had arranged marriages. Yet it rears its head in stories that involve Indians.”
Her favourite role, she says, was in the film comedy Jozi, in which she was cast as a colourful but neurotic young woman studying law.
“I liked it because my ethnicity didn’t define my character.
“I understand the need for cultural relevance and the desire for scriptwriters to see audiences identify and engage. However, there is much more depth to the community I come from and I hope to show that with my character in Isidingo.”
Without giving too much away, she says the soapie does not have a stereotypical perspective.
Bagwandeen says the experience – more than six weeks of filming already – has been exciting.
“It’s been wonderful shooting with the team. Everyone made me feel part of the family, which is always welcoming when you are the ‘newbie’.
“As an actress, working in a new professional environment helps you grow – and just being able to practise your craft among other talented people makes the experience all the more exciting.”
Fans of Bagwandeen can follow her on Twitter at @KajalBagwandeen - The Mercury