Amara Karan

Infobox actor


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yearsactive = 2007-present

Amara Karan (born c. 1984) is an English actress who made her film debut as the love interest in Wes Anderson's "The Darjeeling Limited". The film premiered at the 2007 Venice Film Festival. "The Hollywood Reporter" described Karan's character as 'the train's attractive Indian stewardess'. [ [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film/reviews/article_display.jsp?rid=9718 The Hollywood Reporter ] ] "Time" described her as 'lovely' [ [http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1658495,00.html Owen Wilson: Art Imitates Life - TIME ] ] and "Variety" who reports her character as the 'comely train stewardess Rita' stated that 'newcomer Karan makes a strong impression as the sexy "sweet lime" girl'. [ [http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117934573.html?categoryid=1263&cs=1&query=The+Darjeeling+Limited The Darjeeling Limited Review - Film Reviews-Venice, Entertainment - Variety ] ]

Karan's second film role was as Peaches in the new "St Trinian's" film which had a general release in the UK on December 21, 2007. [ [http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0964587/ St. Trinian's (2007) ] ]

She made her stage debut in a 2008 RSC production of "The Merchant of Venice".

Background

Karan was born in London, England to Sri Lankan Tamil parents who had emigrated to England from Zambia two years before she was born. She was born and grew up in Wimbledon, a suburb in the southwestern part of London, and attended Wimbledon High School. [ [http://www.southwestmag.co.uk/Editorial.aspx?brand=SWOnline&category=SWProfiles&story=SPED26+Oct+2007+14%3a42%3a39%3a120&page=1558 SW - Back to school ] ]

Karan went on to study at St Catherine's College, Oxford University [ [http://gauravonomics.com/diary/owen-wilson-adrien-brody-and-natalie-portaman-finish-filming-for-wes-andersons-new-movie-darjeeling-limited/ Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Natalie Portaman Finish Filming for Wes Anderson’s New Movie ‘Darjeeling Limited’ | Gauravonomics Diary ] ] and while there began acting in amateur plays, including "Sunday Morning at the Centre of the World" at the Burton Taylor Theatre for which she received rave reviews [ [http://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/reviews/theatre/SundayMorning.htm Sunday Morning at the Centre of the World ] ] and was also singled out for her performance in "When We Are Married" at the Old Fire Station theatre. [ [http://www.oxfordstudent.com/ht2002wk3/drama/drama Drama - Drama - The Oxford Student - Official Student Newspaper ] ] During her time at Oxford, Karan wrote, directed, produced, and acted in a short film, "By Myself", which came in second place in the 2002 Shoestring Shorts Competition. [ [http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ltg/dv/film.html oxford : multimedia & digital video ] ]

She began her career as an investment banker (at Hawkpoint and CIBC World Markets) specializing in mergers and acquisitions, [ [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/bazbamigboye.html?in_article_id=489819&in_page_id=1794 Banker's foray into film pays dividends | the Daily Mail ] ] before studying for an MA degree in actingFact|date=June 2008 at The Arts Educational Schools London. [http://www.artsed.co.uk/students.asp Arts Ed Students]

She carried the 2008 Olympic Torch during its time in London [http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2073759.mostviewed.amara_karan_to_carry_olympic_torch.php] .

Filmography

Film

*2002 - "By Myself" (short)
*2007 - "The Darjeeling Limited", as Rita
*2007 - "St Trinian's", as Peaches

Television

*"The Bill"
**"Match Day Violence" (2007) as Abha Chaudhari
*"Poirot"
**"Cat Among the Pigeons" (2008) as Princess Shaista

Radio

*"The Making of a Marchioness" (2007) as Lady Agatha

Theatre

*"The Merchant of Venice" (2008) as Jessica
*"The Taming of the Shrew" (2008) as Bianca

References

External links

*imdb name|id=2496312|name=Amara Karan
* [http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ltg/dv/comps/shoestring2002/films_bymyself.html By Myself]
* [http://www.foxsearchlight.com/thedarjeelinglimited/ The Darjeeling Limited Homepage at Fox Searchlight]
* [http://content.foxsearchlight.com/inside/node/2320 Amara Karan presentation]
* [http://www.rediff.com/movies/2007/oct/08amara.htm Amara Karan article]
* [http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article2614862.ece Times article] , October 13, 2007
* [http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,,2183406,00.html Guardian Article]
* [http://sttriniansmovie.co.uk St. Trinian's Official Website]
* [http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11546741 Economist Article]