Archie Panjabi, who recently bossed over Russell Crowe in My Good Year, is one of those actresses who can shine even in a tiny role.
The actress shot into limelight with Gurinder Chaddha's Bend It Like Beckham, and has featured in many distinguished films such as A Mighty Heart and The Constant Gardner.
A Mighty Heart is her first Hollywood film with a big part. She plays Asra Nomani, a journalist and friend of Daniel Pearl and his wife Marianne. Daniel Pearl, South Asian bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal, was kidnapped in January 2002 while he was in Pakistan to do an investigative story on shoe bomber Richard Reid. His mutilated body was found nearly six weeks later.
Panjabi, who graduated from Brunel University, West London, with a degree in management studies in 1996, made her first major appearance in the movies with the 1999 comedy East Is East, featuring Om Puri.
The Britain-born actress, who speaks excellent Hindi, has had her films showcased at many international film festivals. In fact, A Mighty Heart received a standing ovation at the Cannes film festival, and Panjabi was awarded The Chopard Trophy for a Breakout Performance.
She discusses her award-winning career with Rediff India Abroad Managing Editor (Features) Arthur J Pais.
Photograph: Paresh Gandhi
Also Read: A Mighty Heart, in New York
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