Striving actor raises staggering £15,000 to fund his own movie in Sri Lanka
After standing outside Waterloo station for a month, a 23-year-old prospective actor managed to raise a significant £15,000 from the people who ‘threw money’ at him whilst he held a sign saying ‘please support me’.
Kiran Rai, from Nottingham, was set to appear in an Indian film production based in Sri Lanka earlier this year, but producers sent him home saying his Sinhalese was not good enough.
Not dissuaded by this, he decided to take matters into his own hands by fundraising for his own project, and so the train station situation came into play.
Talking about the experience, Kiran says: “I am used to rejection, and so used to people abandoning me like my mother did when I was very young. That’s why I’ve got so far because nothing hurts me. I have so many people around me with good vibes and mentor me, its amazing.”
Despite the mixed bag of comments, which included some slamming him for “begging” outside the train station, Kiran managed to rustle up enough to procure his own production in Sri Lanka.
“My life was a lot of ‘ hustling ‘ – I would stand around theatres until late and do late open mics everyday with hardly any sleep and beg casting directors,” says Kiran.
“I’d even gate-crash parties everyday in different hotels and pretend I was from there while wearing a black suit and just mingle and network.
“I was so hungry. I have gate-crashed over 300 events and met so many performers, directors and this is how I’ve been so lucky because I am meeting the people who matter now.”
Speaking about why he chose acting, he says: “I did the arts and entertainment business because I believe I am a performer.
“I am my only fan and my worst enemy because my ears are always closed when people tell me I’m bad – I really don’t care! My family have been supportive with me and my dad has been the best with me.”
He adds that he feels that he’s living the dream: “I have worked in broadway, the West End, television, face of fashion weeks, radio and even won awards and met presidents, mayors, princes, the whole lot.”
