Kavi Shastri Explained

Kavi Shastri
Birth Date:1986 2, df=yes
Birth Place:London, England
Occupation:Actor
Nationality:British
Yearsactive:1997 – present

Kavi Shastri (born 19 February 1986) is a British film and television actor.

Early life and education

Kavi Shastri was born into a Gujarati family in London, England.[1] [2] [3] [4] His family, including parents Kaushik, Geeta and his older brother Ravi, later moved to South Woodford, London.[5] Shastri attended George Tomlinson Primary school in Leytonstone, East London, and studied at local dance and drama clubs. At the age of nine, he was enrolled into The Padmini Kolhapure School of Acting in London, and throughout his primary years performed at venues across London.

In 1997, Shastri started his studies at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. As well as academic studies, he trained in Ballet, Tap Dancing, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Drama. Whilst at school, Shastri had small roles in ITV's This Morning and BBC One's Holby City. Kavi graduated into the Academy's College on a government scholarship in 2003. While attending college, he acted in three seasons of CBBC's hit drama show UGetMe and the British feature Film It Could Be You. As part of his work on the film, Shastri flew to India. Shastri graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts, and was presented with an award from the Academy for his achievement in Drama.

Personal life

Shastri married Australian Indian Sherryl Wiltshire in January 2012 in Mumbai,[6] [7] and they currently live in Mumbai, India.

Career

After leaving College, Shastri appeared on ITV's The Bill, and in British feature film Popcorn. In 2009 he moved to India and enrolled in Anupam Kher's Actor Prepares. After graduation, he acted in Imtiaz Ali's Hindi film Love Aaj Kal, where he met Vir Das. The pair returned to Mumbai to create India's first Comedy Company 'Weirdass Comedy',[8] which presented stand up comedy shows and performance across India and worldwide, and wrote scripts for the Filmfare Awards, Zee Cine Awards and Stardust Awards.

In 2008, Shastri played the part of Rohan Mehra on the Indian television show YRF Television's Rishta.com[9] which debuted on 3 January 2010 on Sony Entertainment Television.[10] [11] After four nominations at award shows, Shastri was named the best newcomer at the 10th Indian Telly Awards. Shastri then took on a role with YRF Television's Kismat, an adaptation of Kane and Able.

Shastri and Das performed together at Sophia Auditorium in late 2011, in the stand up comedy show Ashvin Gidwani's History of India.[12]

Shastri shot his first two films Amit Sahni Ki List and Main aur Mr Riight back to back. Later, he took on a role in the 2013 Yash Raj Films' Aurangzeb.

In 2014, Shastri returned to London to shoot for Ameet Chana's directorial feature debut Jayden.

Filmography

Television

Year(s)TitleRoleLanguage
2001Holby CityAsafEnglish
2003UGetMeAsh
2005The BillSadiq Kalia
2008Fairy TalesSid
2010Rishta.comRohan MehraHindi
KismatVikramaditya Merchant
2014Love by ChanceHimself

Films

Year(s)TitleCharacterLanguage
2005It Could Be YouSidEnglish
2007PopcornCarl
2009Love Aaj KalJaatHindi
2011Mujhse Fraaandship KarogePre
2013AurangzebInder
Main Aur Mr. RiightShaunit
2014Amit Sahni Ki ListPushkar
Happy New YearMr. Gupta
2015 BrothersCommentator
2016 NeerjaNaresh Mishra
Wrong Side RajuTanmay ShahGujarati
2017Jab Harry Met SejalRupenHindi
2019Judgementall Hai Kya

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kavi Shastri turns ‘chai-wala’ . The Indian Express . 2014-08-06 . 2024-05-25.
  2. Web site: "Kavi Shastri turns chai-wala for TV show Love By Chance". https://web.archive.org/web/20150223134858/http://www.newswala.com/Entertainment-News/Kavi-Shastri-turns-chai-wala-for-TV-show-Love-By-Chance-74101.html . 2015-02-23.
  3. Web site: Jambhekar . Shruti . I never crave for stardom: Kavi Shastri . The Times of India . 2014-05-10 . 2024-05-25.
  4. News: Shruti Jambhekar. It has been long that I have not visited Gujarat: Kavi Shastri. The Times of India. 15 May 2014 . 5 March 2015. When we asked him to share his Gujarat connect, he tells, "I belong to Navsari. As a child, I have made frequent visits to Gujarat during our family vacations. I have stayed in Navsari, Surat, Vadodara and Ahmedabad too".
  5. Web site: From South Woodford to Bollywood – Kavi Shastri’s making it big. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033622/www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/home/from_south_woodford_to_bollywood_kavi_shastri_s_making_it_big_1_723925. 2015-09-24.
  6. Web site: Kavi Shastri’s wedding reception.
  7. Web site: Wedding bells for Kavi Shastri. https://web.archive.org/web/20120615144339/www.tellychakkar.com/news/wedding-bells-kavi-shastri. 2012-06-15. dead.
  8. Web site: Kavi Shastri wants to do a romantic film . The Indian Express . 2014-06-01 . 2024-05-25.
  9. Web site: A Bollywood Rishta!. https://web.archive.org/web/20140206132605/www.gdayindia.com.au/a-bollywood-rishta-2/. 2014-02-06.
  10. Web site: 'Rishta.com' was most satisfying, but didn't get TRPs: Shruti Seth . Deccan Herald . 2013-02-10 . 2024-05-27.
  11. Web site: Kavi Shastri and Shruti Seth hit the floor. https://web.archive.org/web/20190331031416/www.santabanta.com/bollywood/33628/kavi-shastri-and-shruti-seth-hit-the-floor/. 2019-03-31.
  12. Web site: VIRitten play review, English play review . www.MumbaiTheatreGuide.com . 2024-05-27.