Theater

Growing up in Pennsylvania, our family used to go to Indian Cultural events all the time.  Maybe in an effort to persuade me to try out Bombay’s version of Broadway – I dunno, never asked – my parents sometimes “suggested” that I play a part in a play, inevitably written by my dad and/or uncle.  Those years included my first taste of stage acting. 

Then in 11^th Grade, our World Cultures teacher “suggested” that two of my friends and I be a part of the school play.  Much fun.  Apparently, our self-made entertainment was “disruptive” or something.  Fascists!

Fast forward to 2002 in New York City.  I remembered my love for the stage when cover bands would let me up to sing their Rage Against the Machine songs, so I got involved with Improv classes and theater at the Upright Citizens Brigade.  Good times.  Somewhere along the way at a Happy Hour, I randomly met the playwright (Anuvab Pal) who wrote Chaos Theory.  As we were talking, he mentioned that I would be perfect for a role in his play.  He was right.  Just ask me.

Since the fall of 2003, I have been involved with several readings and productions – some with Salaam Theater, some with/for friends.  A Rock Group, called Connecticut, sometimes employs me to play different roles at their shows.  Kinda tough to describe here, so check out their show sometime.  More fun.  Back in March, 2003, I was bouncing between staged readings of Lysistrata for Salaam / Theater Against War (THAW) and playing the role of Sa’id from the “Michael Jackson scene” of Three Kings for a Columbia Film School student’s Directorial class.  Confusing times.

I was fortunate enough to be involved with two plays written by an insanely talented writer from NYU’s Graduate School of Dramatic Writing.  In my last play before moving to Los Angeles, I played the lead role of Navin Srivastava in “Huck and Holden”.  Despite the amazing feeling you get from playing the lead in a play funnier than Chris Rock, I decided to give the other side of the country a try.

Hopefully more to come soon…

Film & Television

Back in High School, some of my friends and I used to handle assignments in Spanish Class by making little videos.  One time, I was a world-renowned Spanish Goalie.  Another time, I was the Indian John McEnroe.  There are many others, but that was a long time ago, and I defy you to remember every project you made for Spanish Class.  Anyway, that was my first exposure to acting in front of a camera.

After my first commercial (for Mun2, Telemundo’s music channel), I got involved in some more student theater.  That led to some bit parts in a couple movies.  It also preceded my first television series work.  I also go involved in a sketch comedy series on ITV (Indian Television).  So fun.

Since then, it’s been all about bigger screens.  I played the role of Sid in an independent feature called “Delusions of Grandeur”.  We filmed the movie during the summer/fall of 2003, mostly in Brooklyn and Queens.  I also decided to try out “extra” work, just to see the set, if for no other reason, in the production of “Duane Incarnate” starring Kristen Johnson.  Interesting, but so tiring.  David Gran (Director, Writer, all-around great guy) is planning on submitting it to the film festival circuit upon completion.  So hopefully by the time you read this, you will be very familiar with “Sid” and the self-proclaimed Son of God.  If not, trust me when I say you might as well start laughing now.  It’s that funny.  Just ask me.

I recently moved to Los Angeles, and with my first audition, I booked a Heineken commercial.  As I got here just before Thanksgiving, I hope to be auditioning for “That 70s Show”, “Scrubs”, and my inevitable run as the first Indian James Bond after the Holidays.

Home  | Bio | Photos | Reel | Babble | Contact | Email | Resume | Links

© Sid Veda, all rights reserved