Naidoo’s success as a hoity-toity Kandasamy
While Keeping up with the Kandasamys continues to enjoy sold-out shows at movie theatres, Debashine Thangevelo caught up with lead actress Jailoshini Naidoo to find out more about her breakthrough movie role...
WHETHER in front of the camera, on stage or on radio, Jailoshini Naidoo is completely in her element. Having become a household name with Eastern Mosaic, the ravishing presenter-actress spread her tentacles further with the conception of her alter-ego stage character, Aunty Rumba, who has become a hit with theatregoers.
However, she drops the massive red dot, conservative sari and granny bun for her breakthrough movie role as Jennifer Kandasamy in Jayan Moodley’s Keeping up with the Kandasamys.
The story is set in Chatsworth, a predominantly Indian township with its melting pot of cultural idiosyncrasies and annoyances.
Jennifer is what you would call a thalki (show-off). Her sense of style is offset by her snobbishness, especially where her fullerfigured neighbour, Shanti Naidoo (Maeshni Naicker), is concerned.
These two are as different as night and day. One is health conscious and all about looking cover-ready. And the other loves her food as much as she loves feeding.
While the personalities differ, their razorsharp insults are on par with one another.
On bagging the role of Jennifer, Naidoo says, “I was really excited. From everything I had heard, it sounded like it was going to be a fantastic movie.
“I have acted in a few other movies before but not in a lead role. So for me, this was a wonderful opportunity. And now, looking at how it has all turned out, I’m thrilled and I feel so privileged to have a been an integral part of of such a warm, colourful, hugely successful and proudly South African project.”
Shedding more light on her character, she says, “I play the role of Jennifer Kandasamy, who is one of the leads. The story centres around Jennifer and her neighbour, Shanti.
“My character is often very detached and snobbish.
“Her family has ‘made it’ and she, literally, has her nose in the air. She’s so disconnected; even from her own daughter.”
When she took on this role, Naidoo says that as much as her character may curry much hostility at first, she redeems herself too. After all, to err is human.
“She has so many hang-ups and she’s the one that everyone is going to dislike. But beneath the tough exterior, there is so much insecurity and a vulnerability about her that audiences eventually get a glimpse of as the movie progresses.
“As you get to understand her more, you actually start feeling sorry for her.”
There are many Jennifers that exist in real-life and the seasoned actress has observed plenty of them to help deliver a nuanced performance.
Does she have a favourite scene?
“I have so many,” she laughs. “But all of my interactions with Shanti were particularly enjoyable.
“Our characters get up to such nonsense that it was often difficult to keep a straight face.
“There was fabulous chemistry between us and it’s evident in the movie.
“I also loved many scenes with my mother-in-law Aiya (played by Mariam Bassa).
“She was super funny and has some cracker lines in the movie. Off-screen too, she is the most endearing.”
Having worked with Rajesh Gopie and Koobeshan Naidoo, it was easy for them to find a rhythm.
She praises, “They are both amazing actors.”
This movie is bittersweet for the cast and crew, though, as producer Junaid Ahmed passed away before it released.
Naidoo admits, “Junaid was one of my oldest and dearest friends. We go back such a long way and I adored him. He was an amazing soul and was enormously talented.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with him and this was no exception.
“I have such fond memories of him during the filming of this movie too. He had such a sharp wit and crazy sense of humour that he carried with him on set.
“It’s heartbreaking that he isn’t here to share in the excitement and success. But I know we have his blessing!”
As for what else is in the kitty, she says, “I have many more stage shows coming up and a comedy that I’m currently writing. And I want to do At the Edge, my one-woman show by Ronnie Govender, again.
“So many people have been asking about it.
“I also have a cameo in another short film that I’m filming in April in Durban and I’m also currently shooting, on location in Cape Town – a Canadian series called The Indian Detective, with Canadian comedian Russell Peters.”