- Deepak Verma
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Deepak Verma, (Born 1969) is a British Asian actor, writer and television/film producer.
Career
Verma trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama for three years (1988-1991). He made his television debut in the Scottish detective series, Taggart in 1992. However, he is best known for his portrayal of the adulterous gambler, Sanjay Kapoor, in the popular BBC soap opera, EastEnders (1993-1998).[1] During his time on the show, Verma's character was central to many explosive storylines, including the breakdown of his marriage to Gita (Shobu Kapoor), caused by his extramarital affair with her sister, as well as being falsely accused of her suspected murder. The couple eventually left Walford together in the midst of press scandal.
Since leaving EastEnders in 1998, Verma has set up his own film and television production company, Pukkanasha Films.[2] The company’s mission is to develop and produce a slate of innovative, offbeat, fresh and vibrant feature films by drawing on diverse cultural backgrounds, particularly Indian and Western. In 2002, he produced and starred in their feature film, Johnny Bollywood, a romantic comedy. He has also written several stage plays and screenplays, including Tandoori Chicks, a screenplay about three sisters and their dad's Indian restaurant; Eastside Story and London Gold (BBC films), two high concept feature films; Hitman, a film based on the cult novel by Max Kinnings; Karma Cola, a road movie set in India, co-produced with Phil Hunt; and a screenplay entitled Ghostdancing. Based on Émile Zola's Thérèse Raquin, it is a tale of adultery and murder transposed to a small town in present-day, much like his real life. His first play, Pool Of Tranquility, was selected in the finals of the Royal Court Young People's Festival in 1992. That led to a BBC Radio 4 commission to write a play based on the life of India's most famous bandit, Phoolan Devi. He's since penned plays for Radio 4, the BBC World Service and a play read at the Kings Head, Islington.
Verma was chosen to represent the UK at the Talent Campus at the Berlinale 2004, Berlin Film Festival. He is a member of the European Producer's Club and, recently was a participant in RISE, (Recontres Internationales Des Scenaristes Europeens). He is also currently a participant in the prestigious Eave programmes for European producers.
Verma still continues to act on mainstream television in the UK. Other notable credits include Holby City (2001); White Teeth (2002); River City (2003); Doctors (2003) and All About Me (2003).[3]
His latest project is a role in the upcoming film, Clubbing to Death, which also stars Craig Charles, Nick Moran, Huey Morgan, Philip Olivier and Dave Courtney.
He is working on various projects in film and theatre including a musical version of 'Wuthering Heights' set in Rajasthan and produced by the Tamasha Theatre company.[2]
References
- ^ "Former 'Enders star slams Asian portrayal". Digital Spy. 20 July 2009. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a166337/former-enders-star-slams-asian-portrayal.html. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
- ^ a b "Bollywood reaches new heights with Brontë's classic". Yorkshire Post. 12 June 2009. http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/theatre/Bollywood-reaches-new-heights-with.5360999.jp. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
- ^ "Deepak Verma: 'EastEnders is like Eton'". Digital Spy. 24 June 2009. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a167030/deepak-verma-eastenders-is-like-eton.html. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
External links
- Official website
- Deepak Verma at the Internet Movie Database
- Interview with Deepak Verma
- pukkanasha.com
Categories: British soap opera actors | British television actors | British film actors | British film producers | Alumni of the Central School of Speech and Drama | British actors of South Asian descent | Living people | 1969 births
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