Fagun Thakrar

Fagun
Fagun at the Annual 64th Cannes Film Festival
Born	Leicester, Leicestershire, England, UK
Residence	London
Alma mater	University College London Medical School, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London College of Fashion
Occupation	Actress, director, writer, producer, fashion designer
Years active	Since 2011

Fagun Thakrar,^[1] also known as Fagun, is an English actress and writer-director who has appeared in a number of English, Hollywood and Indian cinema.^[2] She co-starred with Martin Sheen in Bhopal: Prayer for Rain,^[3] receiving accolades for her performance. Recently, she also starred opposite Donald Sutherland and Brie Larson in an American feature film, to be released in 2017.^[4]

Early life

Fagun was born in Leicester, Leicestershire, England^[5] where she studied at Beauchamp College in Oadby. After her childhood, Fagun moved to London, when she was accepted at University College London medical school to study medicine. Simultaneously, she also studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Fagun has also trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, in London, from which she graduated in Summer 2014 with a master's degree. Later, Fagun obtained her third master's degree from the London College of Fashion. Most recently, Fagun studied film direction in the United States.

Fagun's educational experience was chronicled in a special segment for ITV News.^[6]

Film career

Acting

Whilst studying, Fagun competed against thousands of contestants and won BBC's Bolly Idol, after which she was offered her first lead stage role in Precious Bazaar by Samir Bhamra. For her first cinematic role, Fagun starred as Nabeela in the film, Brick Lane,^[7] shot on location in London. She then played Mandy Edge for the long running BBC hospital TV series, Holby City.^[8] In Fagun's next film, she played the title role in Zohra, portraying the cultural tensions of post-colonial Indian migrants. Her next project was Blood and Curry,^[9] an L.A. thriller about honour killings. In it, she plays the lead role of Deepa Verma, an Indian wife in an arranged marriage who joins her husband in America.

Internationally acclaimed film director, Shekhar Kapur, hand-picked Fagun to perform and lead the entourage on the official red carpet at the Cannes Film festival^[10] for the premiere of his movie, Bollywood, The Greatest Love Story Ever Told. Fagun was the first person to perform on the red carpet in the festival's 65-year history.^[11]

Recently, Fagun portrayed Rekha opposite Martin Sheen and Kal Penn in the American film Bhopal: Prayer for Rain.^[12] In addition to her acting credits on film, Fagun has performed in several Shakespeare plays, including as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. She has also appeared in commercials representing L'Oréal, IBM and Vodafone.

Writing & Directing

As a writer and director, Fagun focuses on projects featuring strong female protagonists, advancing her personal philosophy of female empowerment.^[13] As of 2016, Fagun is working on a documentary covering the intersection of neurology with meditation.

Style

Red Carpet Icon

Fagun Thakrar is establishing herself as a fashion icon on the red carpet. At the 68th Cannes films festival, she was named best dressed by Gala and by the press.^[14]

Fashion Line

Fagun is the head fashion designer of her own line, the Fagun Collection, which features high fashion crystal embroidered clutches and accessories.^[2] Her line launched at the 2011 Oscars red carpet with Serena Williams, and has subsequently been a prominent part of other international celebrities' wardrobes.

Non-profit activities

Fagun is the international spokeswoman for SAHARA (South Asian Helpline And Referral Agency), a culturally sensitive organisation that supports women in Southern California's growing community of South Asians through personal crises, including domestic violence.

References

External links

• Fagun Thakrar at the Internet Movie Database
• Interview with MovieScope
• Anglotopia Profile