Naren Weiss
Naren Weiss | |
---|---|
Born |
March 15, 1991 Houston, TX |
Occupation | Playwright, stage actor |
Years active | 2010–present |
Naren Weiss is a stage actor and playwright, best known for his portrayal of Osama bin Laden in Kamal Haasan's film on terrorism, Vishwaroopam.[1]
Early life
Naren Weiss was born in Houston, Texas to an American father and an Indian mother and then grew up in Chennai, India, where he attended Madras Christian College as a part of their cultural competitive team.[2][3] While in college, he hosted television shows on Channel UFX.[4] He received his M.F.A. from Brooklyn College.
Career
Acting
Naren Weiss began his stage career in pantomimes by The Little Theatre from 2009 to 2012.[5] He continued performing in India for several years. For his work, the Indian media has called him everything from "an unsung hero" to "annoying perfection."[6][7]
In 2014, he performed in the United States. He was seen in The Abridged History of Modern Day India in Los Angeles to mixed reviews,[8][9] and then in Meron Langsner's Over Here in New York City. For his portrayal of Gilad, an Israeli immigrant in America, he received wide praise from critics and press.[10][11][12] In their own review of the production, Talkin' Broadway[13] singled him out, saying: "Weiss, however, wields a darker, more mysterious quality that hints Gilad is never entirely on the level, and that adds some fascinating layers of possibility to a man who outwardly seems little more than afraid."
In addition to stage work, he has been seen in the independent Indian film Good Night Good Morning, and the Bollywood film Vishwaroopam.
Writing
Naren Weiss began writing in Chennai, India in 2010. In 2012, he adapted independent musician Sidd Coutto's blog work as a play called The Horizon. The New Indian Express called it "a poetic account of the failing spirit of the Indie music industry."[14] In 2013, he found mainstream success as a playwright, first with his Maya from Madurai.[15][6] South Indian theatre company Stray Factory toured India with the one act play, as a part of The Park's New Festival.[16] Also that year he co-wrote Bollywood Kee-Maa for performances at the prestigious Metroplus Theatre Festival and Singapore.[15] In 2014, he wrote The Abridged History of Modern Day India.[8] He frequently writes for Stray Factory.[17]
Personal life
Naren Weiss often works as a model and has appeared on the cover of India Today magazine on several different occasions.[18] He is said to have previously dated Indian fashion model Aishvarrya but has neither confirmed nor denied this.[19]
References
- ↑ "IMDB". IMDB.com, Inc. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
- ↑ . 2015 http://www.indiawest.com/entertainment/global/playwright-naren-weiss-exploring-identity-through-universal-stories/article_5f378f4e-1a8f-11e5-9a0b-af1d14230c6e.html. Retrieved 11 July 2015. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - ↑ "Congratulations!!". n.d. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ↑ "Yodhakaa". Channel UFX. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ↑ "The Little Theatre". The Little Theatre. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
- 1 2 "Musketeers in the city". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2013-11-24.
- ↑ "The Great Indian Blogologues". Retrieved 24 November 2013.
- 1 2 "Stageraw". Retrieved 20 September 2014.
- ↑ "Desi Boys Head to Hollywood". New Indian Express. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
- ↑ "NY Theater Now". New York Theater Experience, Inc. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
- ↑ "Theatre is Easy". Theasy.com. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
- ↑ . James Armstrong http://armstrongplays.blogspot.com/2014/08/last-chance-to-see-over-here.html. Retrieved 20 September 2014. Missing or empty
|title=
(help) - ↑ "Talkin' Broadway Off-Broadway". TalkinBroadway.com. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
- ↑ "A potpourri of performances". Indian Express. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- 1 2 "Where blogs come alive". The Hindu. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ↑ "The Telegraph". The Telegraph. 27 September 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ↑ "Stray Factory". 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ↑ "India Today". Retrieved 11 July 2015.
- ↑ "Renu's Week". 29 July 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2015.