Meera Simhan Explores Ambition in ‘Miss India America’
Meera Simhan is a film and stage actress and writer.Besides some roles in Hollywood, she had a recurring role in ‘Anger Management’ in 2013 and 2014. She was born in England and is now based in Los Angeles. She is married to actor Ravi Kapoor. She is the co- writer/ creative producer of the comedy feature-
Meera Simhan is a film and stage actress and writer.Besides some roles in Hollywood, she had a recurring role in ‘Anger Management’ in 2013 and 2014. She was born in England and is now based in Los Angeles. She is married to actor Ravi Kapoor. She is the co- writer/ creative producer of the comedy feature-
‘Miss India America’ starring Tiya Sircar and Hannah Simone.
Tell us about your background. How did you become an actor?
I didn’t know what to major in in College. One day I was walking through the Drama Department and they had sign ups for auditions for a play. I thought it would be fun so I auditioned and got the part! I was a statue for most of the play. I think I had two lines at the end when the statue came to life. But that was enough for me to know that this was what I wanted to do.
What inspired you to co-write a film like this with Ravi Kapoor?
Ravi and I were interested in explore the concept of winning and ambition in the South Asian America community and thought the Indian- American beauty pageant world would be a fun place to set it in.
What is your personal background with beauty pageants?
I did some Indian beauty pageants as a teenager. I won some and lost some. Met some smart, interesting people. Little did I know at the time that I would revisit it in this film.
How was it working with your husband, as a writer and an actor?
It’s great working with Ravi as a writer. We both bring different strengths to the writing. He brings a really strong comedic sensibility to the work and my work tends to be more emotionally grounded. There is a lot of communication, respect and good fights that lead to some interesting work.
What is your favorite thing about working on your own creative project?
It is very fulfilling to see it come to fruition from the concept of a script to a finished film and to know that I was a part of creating this story that people connect to.
What is your involvement in So-Cal activities?
I was one of the founding members of a grass roots South Asian creative arts festival called Artwallah. We brought together film makers, visual artists, dancers and musicians and put on a three day festival in Los Angeles.
What is it like being a South Asian woman actor right now?
It’s an exciting time. There are lots of interesting roles out there and I am happy to see so many talented friends getting great roles in film and television.
What are your expectations from the film?
I would love for people to connect to it and tell their friends about it.
What’s next for you?
Ravi and I have written a family comedy pilot based on my life growing up in San Diego in the 1970’s. I am also going back to writing more personal essays.
Tell us about your background. How did you become an actor?
I didn’t know what to major in in College. One day I was walking through the Drama Department and they had sign ups for auditions for a play. I thought it would be fun so I auditioned and got the part! I was a statue for most of the play. I think I had two lines at the end when the statue came to life. But that was enough for me to know that this was what I wanted to do.
What inspired you to co-write a film like this with Ravi Kapoor?
Ravi and I were interested in explore the concept of winning and ambition in the South Asian America community and thought the Indian- American beauty pageant world would be a fun place to set it in.
What is your personal background with beauty pageants?
I did some Indian beauty pageants as a teenager. I won some and lost some. Met some smart, interesting people. Little did I know at the time that I would revisit it in this film.
How was it working with your husband, as a writer and an actor?
It’s great working with Ravi as a writer. We both bring different strengths to the writing. He brings a really strong comedic sensibility to the work and my work tends to be more emotionally grounded. There is a lot of communication, respect and good fights that lead to some interesting work.
What is your favorite thing about working on your own creative project?
It is very fulfilling to see it come to fruition from the concept of a script to a finished film and to know that I was a part of creating this story that people connect to.
What is your involvement in So-Cal activities?
I was one of the founding members of a grass roots South Asian creative arts festival called Artwallah. We brought together film makers, visual artists, dancers and musicians and put on a three day festival in Los Angeles.
What is it like being a South Asian woman actor right now?
It’s an exciting time. There are lots of interesting roles out there and I am happy to see so many talented friends getting great roles in film and television.
What are your expectations from the film?
I would love for people to connect to it and tell their friends about it.
What’s next for you?
Ravi and I have written a family comedy pilot based on my life growing up in San Diego in the 1970’s. I am also going back to writing more personal essays.
RSS Feed
