Doreen Premdev
Secondary in Verulam.
“And the last 18 years I was head of the arts department at Ridge Park College in Musgrave. The staff and principal at Ridge Park really helped me develop as an individual and a performer.
“Teaching is in the past now that my first love of acting has taken over.”
Naidoo has always been a performer. It all started when he was in Grade 1 and participated in school plays.
He said his parents were part of an amateur theatre company in Port Shepstone. His theatre training continued at the Asoka Theatre at UDW.
After university he became a full-time teacher and raised a family with Kumseela.
That was until he had his first taste of professional theatre through Ronnie Govender’s play Beyond Calvary, opposite Leeanda Reddy in 1999.
“Thereafter my friend Yugan Naidoo and Kumseela encouraged me to do stand-up comedy and I loved it.
“The three of us and
Vivian Moodley then started The Dingalings, a stage production house, in 2003 and the rest is history. We also got Henry Ramkissoon and Ravi Subramoney to join us. With the Dingalings we created a minimum of three new productions every year – an adult comedy, a kiddies’ play and a stand-up show,” he said.
“Over the 15 years we have done over 50 original productions. We also produced two radio dramas for Lotus FM. Most recently the Kandasamy movie really expanded my repertoire and helped with getting my role in Imbewu.”
Despite being an actor, Naidoo said he was fairly quiet and an unassuming person in reality.
He said his alter ego took over when he performed and helped him divorce himself from the character he was playing.
Working on Imbewu has given him an opportunity to work with legends in the profession – including Duma Ndlovu, Leleti
Khumalo, Thembi Mtshali, Jack Devnarain and Shan Moodley – which, he said, had expanded his horizons.
He said he related to his character, Pranav Rampersad, on many levels.
“I can understand the frustration of being the good guy in the middle, but keep watching as Pranav takes a turn and shows that issues in life can affect how we respond to loved-ones and colleagues,” said Naidoo.
“The other performers have also been brilliant to work with and supportive. The actors are all talented and laid back. This series bodes well for Durban as a movie-making venue.”
Naidoo will be staring in the sequel to Keeping up with the Kandasamys, which Grade 7 prefect.
is expected to be released in April.
He said in the first story he enjoyed working with his university friend, the late Junaid Ahmed – he was the producer on the film.
His memory of working the late-night shoot – as he was still teaching at the time and Ahmed made efforts to accommodate his times – was hitting the golf ball in the hole in his first take.
He said he had never been able to make a move like that on the golf course again.
“I am working with the Dingalings and we have some exciting plans in the pipeline,” he said.
“We’re producing a play called Licensed to Thrill, featuring Henry Ramkissoon and myself. And I hope to be part of Imbewu for a while longer.
“With acting and teaching I am driven to do what I do with my whole heart. I feel you must enjoy what you do – both teaching and acting give me a sense of fulfilment and accomplishment.
“I do not take whatever success has come my way for granted.”
When he’s not in front of the camera he spends his time with his family – “loitering in malls… Kumseela loves that”.
Reading has always taken up much of his free time since his childhood. Cast of the Dingalings’ 9 to 5 – from left, back, Henry Ramkissoon, Pranesh Maharaj, and Ravi Subramoney; front, Senzo Mthethwa, Kumseela Naidoo and me.
He also loves sport, especially soccer and cricket – he used to play both until an injury put an end to that.
Over the years he has received acknowledgements
and nominations for his work, but he’s not after praise.
As a performer, he said, you cannot afford to be arrogant or conceited.
The people he meets daily My family 10 years ago:yuvaan, Dheyanka, Nashka, Kumseela and me. – those who request selfies, want to share their jokes or just enjoy a quick chat with him – are the people who made him who he is.
He said he was always happy to oblige people with small talk, and especially to entertain children, who were in awe seeing him in the flesh.
“I want people to know that I fully appreciate their support in helping me make my dream come true,” he said.
“It wouldn’t have happened, had it not been for my parents, Daya and Sushie Naidoo. They’ve guided me throughout my life. In an age that is so career driven, they allowed me to follow my dreams. Their attitude and support has made me a more understanding father and husband.
“Without Kumseela, I would never have achieved half of what I have so far.
“I was content with what I had, but she always saw my potential and pushed me on, often putting herself second.
For this I will always be eternally grateful to them.”