Rory Booth making waves
MULTITALENTED Rory Booth, who head-wrote and created the first three Kandasamy movies and has become popular for his viral Traveeno Talks videos, is working on a new documentary.
The documentary, titled Cancer and Other Star Signs, which he co-directed and co-produced, is currently being filmed.
Booth said the production team began working on the project in 2022 after they were awarded a development grant from the National Film and Video Foundation.
“We are currently in production having completed three full days of principal photography,” said Booth, 37, of Durban.
“We hope to be done with production within a year. We are always looking for people over the age of 18, who are willing to have their cancer journeys documented on film, so if you’re reading this, please reach out,” said Booth.
“It is a feature documentary that follows the cancer journeys of patients in KwaZulu-Natal. The documentary aims to place a spotlight on cancer in South Africa and the various socio-economic, cultural and personal factors that make each person’s cancer experience unique.
“Through observation of our patients, their medical professionals that include but are not limited to medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, specialist physicians and oncology nurses, religious affiliations and experts on cancer, we uncover under-represented communities and the need for cancer awareness while exploring the complex meaning of cancer in relation to one’s existence. Participants come from an extensive research period of two years.”
The documentary is directed and produced by Booth and Arushani Govender, who co-owns the film company, Half Cup Tea, with him.
“Arushani and I are key researchers on the project and we are involved in producing, directing and editing the feature.
“We hope to complete filming within the next year. This is also dependent on the stories of our participants. The release will debut at international film festivals, thereafter moving to streaming services and national broadcasters."
Over the years, Booth has played various roles in multiple shows.
These include Ramsamy in White
Gold (2010), Asheel in Keeping up with the Kandasamys (2014), and Dr Khan in Uzalo (2016-2019). He was also part of the development team of Imbewu: The Seed, in 2016, and acted in the winning 48 Hour Film Project, Osu, in 2021.
Booth was the head writer and original creator of the first three Kandasamy movies, and the writer for Katanimate Studios animation Knittyville.
“On the television front, I am currently developing a new sitcom for a streaming service, and am in development for a feature film for which my company retains exclusive rights with the subject matter of the film. I also voice the role of the Seeker in the show Kosha – The Five Dimensions of Being,
which will be staged at the Playhouse Opera Theatre in June.
“I also play Pharoah in the Young Performers Project in the musical Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
at the Playhouse Opera in July. I also star in the title role of Kickstart Theatre Production’s pantomime Puss in Boots at the end of the year.”
Apart from his varying career in the arts, Booth is a qualified property practitioner (estate agent) with Tyson Properties Durban.
Added to all this, he is a singer and Kathak dancing student.
“Singing is one of my greatest passions. Over the years, I’ve released several singles with Love So Crazy, the theme track for Kandasamys: The Wedding. My current single, Gimme All Your Love, is doing well on radio rotation and music streaming platforms. The song formed part of the South African Music
Rights Organisation Music creation fund for which I was one of the hundred recipients of the prestigious grant.
“The success of Gimme All Your Love
attracted some of South Africa’s leading producers, and I’m currently collaborating with hitmaker Prince Bulo on a long overdue dance track.
“I am also a Kathak dance student under the teachings of Sri Manesh Maharaj of the Kala Darshan Institute of Classical Indian Music and Dance. I have been studying the art for more than 10 years and am working towards graduating.”
He will perform at this year’s Grahamstown Arts Festival in Empatheatres’ award-winning production Lalela uLwandle: Listen to the Sea.
The production has toured with the UN in Italy and New York, and was staged at the UN’s climate change conference in Egypt in 2022.
His social media comedy series – Traveeno Talks – is the most-watched comedy series on his social media platforms. Each episode averages 100 000 views.
Booth plans to continue entertaining all those around him. Whether it’s making films, acting on stage, selling houses, posting comedy content, recording music, or performing classical Indian dance, he said he was grateful that his life had a purpose, filled with the happiness of doing what he felt most alive doing.