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www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 16th May 2015
Bhav’s drama tips
For comedy acting: when you think you need to shut upDON’T. Just keep going. Carry on and it will be funny. Say that naughty thought and it will translate as funny.
For dramatic acting: I always think of that quote from A Few Good Men; 'you want the truth, you can't handle the truth!’ The play I’m doing at the moment is that about feeling the truth of the scene and ask that's something you've got to learn ties so to handle without feeling just 'People much overwhelmed. hapdon't understand of my pen to body and be Indian. how much of emotions, as It’s a fresh look at multicultural youth yourself you have the mark of a professional. and interactions. I’m one of a few collaboto give.' This sort of rators and it is incredibly rewarding to work gravity is what with other writers who are so open-minded actors always and open-armed. It’s all very relaxed and look for, and I’m that helps it all flow.” proud to have got here.” A little stumble Signature Talent
However, it’s not all sobriety and ceremonial award-show tears. Having a playful touch is a huge part of acting too, especially if like Parmar, you are a natural comedienne. I was reminded of this when asking about her inspirational movie moment: “that bit from Shrek when the donkey tells him to have a tic-tac” she grinned “general hygiene when you’re rehearsing 24/7 is Sunetra Senior generally a good thing! See, this is why I’m now ready for this dramatic stuff; I was Parmar is a tribute to the sometimes misunderstood art of acting. all comedy before that. I’ve always written Appearing last week in the first of a kind Oxford play ‘Silent on the Matter’, poetry and been interested in dance shows choreography, and in college that a production confronting the sensitive issue of gender foeticide, and cur- and energetic imagination just clicked into that rently gracing the screens in L.A and Buenos Aires film festivals with witty direction. I was in an all-girls improvisationcomedy ‘Darren has a Breakdown’ and ‘Kari’ a film about honour killing, al group, and I’ve been on comic web Her show-reel, endorse by trendy she makes it all the more clear how distinguished her profession really is. shows”. management company Red 24, exhibits Young yet very sharp, Parmar shines out in a business that is one of the her trademark satire which uses situational humour as opposed to pure dialogue. most demanding. Rather than the usual dry spirit of the chosis, and tests their relationship; it’s The business of truth genre, she sparkles like champagne. The another harsh ordeal in a very real context.” skit where she is on a park bench and is Seeing her on the set of the latter Acting brings to life the exploration of the asked out by the guy sitting next to her, for showed this gritty journalistic quality. The human condition in the scripts and screenexample, works well because of the physiscene of the emotional climax where plays: “That’s really what attracted me” cal setting. ‘And what exactly are your creParmar’s character finally ‘breaks’, or in a gushed the actress - her literary awareness dentials?’ she asks the stunned stranger, ‘If mirroring of her sister’s clinical mental detecouched by formal training at Stratford we were to start dating, what would you rioration, ‘falls’ in a difficult situation, left the College and the RSC vibe surrounding bring to the relationship?’ What is supwhole film crew tense. A social truth- the “understanding people. I enjoy studying posed to be a casual encounter turns (too) limits of empathy, even with those closest the different points of view: what makes blatantly into an interview: “I’ve been writing to us- had been successfully communicatpeople angry? What makes them upset? up some similar skits for a new British ed. In terms of conceptual delivery, an Their breaking points. Having and sharing Muslim channel” she continued. “There’s actress is fighting in the front line, the conthat message with the audience is key.” one about a girl who goes to wrong audinotation of physical effort included; This is certainly true of the two serious dration and just ends up committing it so “in order to relay the tension of mas she is working on now: “Silent on the I play on the desperation of an anguish you’ve got to hold it Matter’ was written by a woman whose actor. We’ve all been there. 'I enjoy all in, even as you explode” Asian friend was driven to an abortion Another follows a naïve overlooking at the young talent shared. because her child was not a boy” Parmar ambitious girl from Liverpool “People don’t understand explained. “It’s heavy subject matter about who wants to become a film different how much of yourself you a topical event that hasn't yet been put on director.” have to give. Especially stage and it’s going to raise some much Parmar is also part of points of coming from a background needed awareness. BBC Asian Network Asian generation X, children – where family is so important, I actually had us on to talk about it. I’ve also view' going on ancestors - of immihave to sacrifice a lot of time worked on an alternative short film called grants whose backgrounds are with loved ones…But,” she contin‘She Fell Away’ which features two Indian increasingly incidental: “the sketches ued “I see these challenging scenarios sisters, one of whom has fallen into psyare about everyday scenarios where identi-
This brought us to the not so amicable, but no less important discussion point of glass ceilings, or should I say, falling stage lights. As if the trade were not intellectually, emotionally - and of course - physically demanding enough, Parmar conferred with me about the problem of cultural stereotyping in the business: “yes, that is probably the most limiting aspect. I mean I always get compared to Parminder Nagra from ‘Bend it like Beckham’. People at the top of the industry still tend to be from a certain upbringing and leaning, and do not fully understand where we're coming from. They do tend to categorise and make assumptions about the roles we are suited for. I see that my white British friends are offered more diverse experiences, and consequently the chance to grow as actors.” “However”, Parmar made sure to add in her upbeat manner, “if we look at the flipside that encourages me to be more myself than ever and I end up wanting to meet people who are like-minded and who I can work together with to be more creative.”
Originally from Birmingham, her Northern accent being a delicious addition to her character, Parmar’s is a success story in the big ol’ smoky city. Even as we talked, the starlet glow was tangible. In-between one of many auditions and post 48-hour rehearsal, she imparted one final career insight: “Life and industry are the same, and so my motto applies to both. I always say it’s about the three‘t’s: truth, trust and tone. When you tell the truth, people will appreciate you. Trust others and you will be more comfortable and perform your best. Finally, be aware of how you come across. We all need to be a little more sensitive. Especially if you’re feeling happy, make sure that you’re showing it.” www.bhavnishaparmar.com
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