Ajay Kumar at 10:07, 20 August 2023

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{{Short description|British actor}}
{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=September 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kavi Shastri
| image = Kavi Shastri.tif
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1986|2|19}}
| birth_place = [[London]], [[England]]
| occupation = Actor
| spouse = {{married|Sherryl Wiltshire|2012}}
| nationality = British
| yearsactive = 1997 – present
}}

'''Kavi Shastri''' (born 19 February 1986 in [[London]]) is a British film and television actor.

==Early life and education==
Kavi Shastri was born into a Gujarati family in London, England.<ref name=ie>[http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/kavi-shastri-turns-chai-wala/ "Kavi Shastri turns ‘chai-wala’"]. ''The Indian Express''.</ref><ref>[http://www.newswala.com/Entertainment-News/Kavi-Shastri-turns-chai-wala-for-TV-show-Love-By-Chance-74101.html "Kavi Shastri turns chai-wala for TV show Love By Chance"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223134858/http://www.newswala.com/Entertainment-News/Kavi-Shastri-turns-chai-wala-for-TV-show-Love-By-Chance-74101.html |date=23 February 2015 }}. ''News Wala''</ref><ref>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/I-never-crave-for-stardom-Kavi-Shastri/articleshow/34886144.cms "I never crave for stardom: Kavi Shastri"]. ''The Times of India'']. Shruti Jambhekar, TNN | 10 May 2014."</ref><ref>{{cite news|author1=Shruti Jambhekar|title=It has been long that I have not visited Gujarat: Kavi Shastri|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/gujarati/It-has-been-long-that-I-have-not-visited-Gujarat-Kavi-Shastri/articleshow/35162575.cms?|website=The Times of India|date=15 May 2014 |accessdate=5 March 2015|quote=When we asked him to share his Gujarat connect, he tells, "I belong to Navsari. As a child, I have made frequent visits to Gujarat during our family vacations. I have stayed in Navsari, Surat, Vadodara and Ahmedabad too"}}</ref> His family, including parents Kaushik, Geeta and his older brother Ravi, later moved to [[South Woodford]], London.<ref>[http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/home/from_south_woodford_to_bollywood_kavi_shastri_s_making_it_big_1_723925 "From South Woodford to Bollywood – Kavi Shastri’s making it big"]. ''Ilford Recorder'' 11 November 2010 By Supriya Davda</ref> Shastri attended George Tomlinson Primary school in [[Leytonstone]], East London, and studied at local dance and drama clubs. At the age of nine, he was enrolled into The Padmini Kolhapure School of Acting in London, and throughout his primary years performed at venues across London.

In 1997, Shastri started his studies at the [[Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts]]. As well as academic studies, he trained in Ballet, Tap Dancing, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Drama. Whilst at school, Shastri had small roles in [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]'s ''[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]]'' and [[BBC One]]'s ''[[Holby City]]''. Kavi graduated into the Academy's College on a government scholarship in 2003. While attending college, he acted in three seasons of [[CBBC (TV channel)|CBBC]]'s hit drama show ''[[UGetMe]]'' and the British feature Film ''It Could Be You''. As part of his work on the film, Shastri flew to India. Shastri graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts, and was presented with an award from the Academy for his achievement in Drama.

==Personal life==
Shastri married Australian Indian Sherryl Wiltshire in January 2012 in Mumbai,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140102121639/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-25/bollywood/30659757_1_wedding-reception-vir-das-traffic-jam "Kavi Shastri’s wedding reception"]. ''The Times of India''.</ref><ref>http://www.tellychakkar.com/news/wedding-bells-kavi-shastri</ref> and they currently live in Mumbai, India.

==Career==
After leaving College, Shastri appeared on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]'s ''[[The Bill]]'', and in British feature film ''[[Popcorn (2007 film)|Popcorn]]''. In 2009 he moved to India and enrolled in [[Actor Prepares - The School for Actors|Anupam Kher's ''Actor Prepares'']]. After graduation, he acted in [[Imtiaz Ali (director)|Imtiaz Ali]]'s Hindi film ''[[Love Aaj Kal (2009 film)|Love Aaj Kal]]'', where he met [[Vir Das]]. The pair returned to Mumbai to create India's first Comedy Company 'Weirdass Comedy',<ref name=ie2>[http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kavi-shastri-wants-to-do-a-romantic-film/ "Kavi Shastri wants to do a romantic film"]. ''The Indian Express''.</ref> which presented stand up comedy shows and performance across India and worldwide, and wrote scripts for the [[Filmfare]] Awards, [[Zee Cine Awards]] and [[Stardust Awards]].

In 2008, Shastri played the part of Rohan Mehra on the Indian television show [[YRF Television]]'s [[Rishta.com]]<ref>[http://www.gdayindia.com.au/a-bollywood-rishta-2/ "A Bollywood Rishta!"]. ''G'Day India''</ref> which debuted on 3 January 2010 on [[Sony Entertainment Television]].<ref>[http://www.deccanherald.com/content/311174/rishtacom-most-satisfying-didnt-get.html "'Rishta.com' was most satisfying, but didn't get TRPs: Shruti Seth"]. ''Deccan Herald'' New Delhi, 10 February 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.santabanta.com/bollywood/33628/kavi-shastri-and-shruti-seth-hit-the-floor/ "Kavi Shastri and Shruti Seth hit the floor"]. ''Santa Blanta News Network''</ref> After four nominations at award shows,{{citation needed|date=February 2015}} Shastri was named the best newcomer at the 10th [[Indian Telly Awards]].{{citation needed|date=February 2015}} Shastri then took on a role with [[YRF Television]]'s ''[[Kismat (TV series)|Kismat]]'', an adaptation of ''Kane and Able''.

Shastri and Das performed together at Sophia Auditorium in late 2011, in the stand up comedy show ''Ashvin Gidwani's History of India''.<ref>[http://www.mumbaitheatreguide.com/dramas/reviews/17-english-play-review-history-of-india-virtten.asp "History of India -Vritten review"]. ''Mumbai Theatre Guide''.</ref>

Shastri shot{{clarify|date=February 2015}} his first two films ''Amit Sahni Ki List'' and ''Main aur Mr Riight'' back to back. Later, he took on a role in the 2013 [[Yash Raj Films]]' ''[[Aurangzeb (film)|Aurangzeb]]''.

In 2014, Shastri returned to London to shoot for [[Ameet Chana]]'s directorial feature debut ''Jayden''.

== Filmography ==
=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year(s)
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Title
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role
! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Language
|-

| 2001
| ''[[Holby City]]''
| Asaf
| rowspan="4" | English
|-
| 2003
| ''[[UGetMe]]''
| Ash
|-
| 2005
| ''[[The Bill]]''
| Sadiq Kalia
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Fairy Tales (TV series)|Fairy Tales]]''
| Sid
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2010
| ''[[Rishta.com]]''<ref name=ie2 />
| Rohan Mehra
| rowspan="3" | Hindi
|-
| ''[[Kismat (TV series)|Kismat]]''<ref name=ie2 />
| Vikramaditya Merchant
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Love by Chance (Indian TV series)|Love by Chance]]''<ref name=ie />
| Himself
|-
|}

=== Films ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! style="background:#CCC;" | Year(s)
! style="background:#CCC;" | Title
! style="background:#CCC;" | Character
! style="background:#CCC;" | Language
|-
| 2005
| ''It Could Be You''
| Sid
| rowspan="2" | English
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Popcorn (2007 film)|Popcorn]]''
| Carl
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Love Aaj Kal (2009 film)|Love Aaj Kal]]''
| Jaat
| rowspan="8" | Hindi
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge]]''
| Pre
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2013
| ''[[Aurangzeb (film)|Aurangzeb]]''
| Inder
|-
| ''[[Main Aur Mr. Riight]]''
| Shaunit
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2014
| ''[[Amit Sahni Ki List]]''
| Pushkar
|-
| ''[[Happy New Year (2014 film)|Happy New Year]]''
| Mr. Gupta
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Brothers (2015 film)|Brothers]]''
| Commentator
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2016
| ''[[Neerja (2016 film)|Neerja]]''
| Naresh Mishra
|-
| ''[[Wrong Side Raju]]''
| Tanmay Shah
| Gujarati
|-
|2017
| [[Jab Harry Met Sejal]]
|Rupen
|rowspan="2"|Hindi
|-
|2019
| [[Judgementall Hai Kya]]
|
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{Bollywood Hungama person}}

{{Indian Telly Award Fresh New Face Male}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shastri, Kavi}}
[[Category:1986 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:British male film actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:British male television actors]]
[[Category:Gujarati people]]
[[Category:British Hindus]]
[[Category:People from Woodford, London]]
[[Category:British people of Indian descent]]
[[Category:British male actors of Asian descent]]

Kavi Shastri - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 10:07, 20 August 2023