It’s not every day a South African lands a role in a Bollywood soapie, but lady luck has been generous to TeKayha Anastasia Sukuram. The 23-year-old Miss India South Africa landed a role in two Bollywood soapies, Hamara Parivar (Our Family) and Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai (Sister-in-law is at Home) which screens on ZEE TV.

Born in Johannesburg, she now lives in Izinga Ridge, Umhlanga, north of Durban. Sukuram matriculated at Mount Edgecombe Private School and studied a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting at the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN). She spoke to DurbanLocal about her time spend in Mumbai, India, filming for the soapies. She said she got the role thanks to Zee TV and the Miss India South Africa organisation.

Sukuram in her trailer getting ready to shoot her first scene in Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai. Picture: Supplied

“I was crowned Zee TV Miss India South Africa 2023 and Zee TV’s prize to the winner was the opportunity to be a part of a Zee TV production. I am a professional actress/dancer and I speak Hindi, I was fortunate enough to be sent to Mumbai, India, to star in not one, but two popular Zee TV shows. There were also multiple audition videos that I had to send through before I could make it to Mumbai,” she said.

Sukuram will appear in Hamara Parivar and Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai which has been airing for 10 years. In Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai, she plays the role of a young bride. In Hamara Parivar, she appear as herself.

She said being on set was a “surreal experience” for her. She added to be on set, see the world that these shows have created and to be part of this was a dream come true for her.

“To watch the shows on TV is one thing, but to see the way the scenes are shot in person is a totally different experience. I had such an amazing experience on set and am so grateful to have worked with such seasoned actors within the Bollywood industry - actors that have worked include Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. I definitely learned a lot and grew, as an actor, through my experiences being on set,” Sukuram said.

She stayed in Andheri East, Mumbai for the duration of the filming. She spent two weeks in India and returned to South Africa in late November.

Sukuram said speaking Hindi and a little Sanskrit was required for her roles. She said she is able to speak, read, write and understand Hindi which made the whole process a lot easier for her. She added that it has always been her dream to work in Indian cinema and from a young age she took it upon herself to learn the Hindi language, even thought none of her family members speak the language.

Living by her mantra “Dreams don’t work unless you do”, Sukuram is set for success. She spoke about the relationships she developed during her time spent with the stars.

“Everyone I worked with was so warm and welcoming towards me, from the actors, the crew as well as the directors and producers. They were helpful on set and helped make my experience an extremely wonderful one,” she said.

“I can definitely see myself living in India. It’s always been my dream to work within the Indian entertainment industry and I definitely feel at home there. As soon as another opportunity arises, I will grab it with both hands.”

She said she was proud to have made history, as the first Miss India South Africa ever to have made it within the realms of Bollywood. She added that winning the Miss India South Africa 2023, was definitely another one of her dream realised. Sukuram said it was a turning point in her life and gave her a platform with which to further use her voice for good.

On the set of Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai with her co-star and seasoned actor Aasif Sheikh. Picture: Supplied

“My year as the reigning queen was filled with not only glitz and glam, but with giving back, something that I hold very dear to my heart. I founded my own non-profit organisation, called The Changemakers, and we are currently focusing on combating GBV in SA by hosting self-defence workshops for girls and women. It has been such a pleasure working with both Zee TV and the Miss India South Africa organisation during my year of reign and I look forward to any future prospects with them,” she said.

Sukuram also represented South Africa in the Miss India Worldwide pageant in USA in September. She was placed in the top five and walked away with the title of Miss Bollywood. She has also stared in the South African film, Sugar Cane Boy the Movie, which will be released next year. Hamara Parivar and Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai airs on DSTV - Zee TV channel 452.

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