The Hobbiton inhabitant
Ravi Narayan, who doubled as Kili and also played a goblin role in The Hobbit, talks about his journey in the entertainment industry – from national to international
When and how did you get your first break in the film industry?
I am not sure if I could call it a break; it just happened. One day I was walking in New Lynn Mall and a lady approached me. She handed me her business card faced down and said. “Have a think about it and give me a call”.
I had no idea what it was all about except that it was a local talent agency. I thought it over for three days and then finally gave her a call. Initially, I thought it was a money-making thing, you know. After all, who would want me in a movie? I am short and I am an Indian in a western society.
Well, I was wrong. Two days after going to the agency, I was on ‘Shortland Street’ - my first gig on a local TV show. From there I went on working as an extra and started to get some featured roles in short movies and TV commercials. My first big movie break was ‘Yogi Bear’.
How did the role in The Hobbit come about?
The New Zealand Film industry is very small and the casting agents soon get to know you well. I had no idea that they were casting for The Hobbit until I got a call from my agent.
At this point, I was doing acting, but also working part-time. Still needed a day job (laughs)!
When I got the call, I went to the audition and did not think much of it. Then, I got another call from the casting agent informing me that they wanted me in Wellington and that they have shortlisted me (pun intended)!
I took time off work and went to what we called a three-day boot camp. I gave it everything I had. After having done this I realised that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I came back and handed in my resignation. I was so determined for this to work.
It had to happen for me and it did. The Hobbit so far has been the biggest project that I have worked on spanning almost over three years.
I doubled as Kili - played by Aidan Turner and also played a goblin role. This is where my acting and stunt career really took off. Followed by New Zealand’s Got Talent, but that is another story for another day.
What has been your biggest takeaway from your career as an entertainer?
The fact that what I do impacts people’s lives is so humbling. I had no idea about how much responsibilities come upon one as an actor. There is always media and then the fan base.
I must say I love listening to fans and interacting with them on social media and meeting them too! It also gives me a chance to stipulate the fact that you must always believe in your dreams and be yourself no matter what. I love sharing my stories with the fans, knowing that it encourages them to never give up on what they love to do and remind them that they need to accept themselves as who they are.
It seems strange to people when I say I work as an actor. Being different, not just in ethnicity, but physically too. I was told that there was no market for me here when I started acting. Comments like this just fuelled me more to work harder. The fact is I never saw it this way and do not intend to. I believe that in today’s society everyone should be treated equally.
So far I have had no issues and I love the people who I have worked with in the past and who I am working with now in my current projects. I am doing what I am today because I completely and utterly believe in myself and I refuse to give up.
What prompted you to become an ambassador for SRS? How has the image transformation impacted your personal life?
It just happened once again. I found their ad in Autotrader one day. They seemed genuine and I decided to give them a call. They were really professional and straight after my first consultation, I decided to go ahead with the treatment.
After a few visits they asked me if I was able to do a photo shoot for them. I agreed and a few days after the photo shoot we did a commercial. It was just before the commercial that SRS asked me if I was willing to be their ambassador. I agreed and signed up.
The hair treatment has been an image transformation journey for me! Well, now I feel more confident in front of camera or when I go out for photo shoots, whether it is for endorsements or modelling.
Ravi Narayan, who doubled as Kili and also played a goblin role in The Hobbit, talks about his journey in the entertainment industry – from national to international
When and how did you get your first break in the film industry?
I am not sure if I could call it a break; it just happened. One...
Ravi Narayan, who doubled as Kili and also played a goblin role in The Hobbit, talks about his journey in the entertainment industry – from national to international
When and how did you get your first break in the film industry?
I am not sure if I could call it a break; it just happened. One day I was walking in New Lynn Mall and a lady approached me. She handed me her business card faced down and said. “Have a think about it and give me a call”.
I had no idea what it was all about except that it was a local talent agency. I thought it over for three days and then finally gave her a call. Initially, I thought it was a money-making thing, you know. After all, who would want me in a movie? I am short and I am an Indian in a western society.
Well, I was wrong. Two days after going to the agency, I was on ‘Shortland Street’ - my first gig on a local TV show. From there I went on working as an extra and started to get some featured roles in short movies and TV commercials. My first big movie break was ‘Yogi Bear’.
How did the role in The Hobbit come about?
The New Zealand Film industry is very small and the casting agents soon get to know you well. I had no idea that they were casting for The Hobbit until I got a call from my agent.
At this point, I was doing acting, but also working part-time. Still needed a day job (laughs)!
When I got the call, I went to the audition and did not think much of it. Then, I got another call from the casting agent informing me that they wanted me in Wellington and that they have shortlisted me (pun intended)!
I took time off work and went to what we called a three-day boot camp. I gave it everything I had. After having done this I realised that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I came back and handed in my resignation. I was so determined for this to work.
It had to happen for me and it did. The Hobbit so far has been the biggest project that I have worked on spanning almost over three years.
I doubled as Kili - played by Aidan Turner and also played a goblin role. This is where my acting and stunt career really took off. Followed by New Zealand’s Got Talent, but that is another story for another day.
What has been your biggest takeaway from your career as an entertainer?
The fact that what I do impacts people’s lives is so humbling. I had no idea about how much responsibilities come upon one as an actor. There is always media and then the fan base.
I must say I love listening to fans and interacting with them on social media and meeting them too! It also gives me a chance to stipulate the fact that you must always believe in your dreams and be yourself no matter what. I love sharing my stories with the fans, knowing that it encourages them to never give up on what they love to do and remind them that they need to accept themselves as who they are.
It seems strange to people when I say I work as an actor. Being different, not just in ethnicity, but physically too. I was told that there was no market for me here when I started acting. Comments like this just fuelled me more to work harder. The fact is I never saw it this way and do not intend to. I believe that in today’s society everyone should be treated equally.
So far I have had no issues and I love the people who I have worked with in the past and who I am working with now in my current projects. I am doing what I am today because I completely and utterly believe in myself and I refuse to give up.
What prompted you to become an ambassador for SRS? How has the image transformation impacted your personal life?
It just happened once again. I found their ad in Autotrader one day. They seemed genuine and I decided to give them a call. They were really professional and straight after my first consultation, I decided to go ahead with the treatment.
After a few visits they asked me if I was able to do a photo shoot for them. I agreed and a few days after the photo shoot we did a commercial. It was just before the commercial that SRS asked me if I was willing to be their ambassador. I agreed and signed up.
The hair treatment has been an image transformation journey for me! Well, now I feel more confident in front of camera or when I go out for photo shoots, whether it is for endorsements or modelling.
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