Bhavna takes to the stage

Bhavna Singh Chahal took a while to realise she’s a creative person at heart.

Since moving here from India in 2005 she’s done all sorts of jobs.

The engineering graduate has worked as a call centre operator, a banking adviser, a travel agency team leader and a breakfast host for the Indian radio station Humm FM.

‘‘I would achieve what I wanted quickly in a role and then get bored,’’ she says.

‘‘But when I started as a radio DJ I was so happy because it was a challenge every day.’’

Through her radio job she was approached to do voiceover work for Mumbai Monologues which was part of the Auckland Pride Festival 2014.

Next week the 32-yearold will make her acting debut in Prayas Theatre Company’s reworking of Charandas Chor: The Honest Thief at TAPAC.

The rural Indian folk play features a cast of 30 and a live band.

It was the company’s first production and it was performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1982, picking up the Fringe Firsts award.

The story is about a thief who takes a vow to never tell another lie.

The One Tree Hill resident plays the queen who falls in love with the thief.

‘‘At the audition they told me they liked my comic timing but then they gave me the role of the queen and she’s evil.

‘‘It was the strangest role I could think of but I love it.’’

‘‘When I began I wasn’t really acting, I was just waiting for my turn.

‘‘Then I started watching more experienced actors. What they do is relate to the people in front of them. ‘‘It’s such a thrill. ‘‘I feel like I’ve found my calling after a long, long time.’’