The Cane Cutter set for special Pietermaritzburg premiere
Shika Maharaj who made her acting debut in the film The Cane Cutter says she is open to exploring roles that challenges her and tell meaningful stories.
Image: Supplied
ACTRESS Shika Maharaj is rallying her hometown community to attend the screening of locally produced film The Cane Cutter at the Midlands Cinecentre at the Liberty Midlands Mall in Pietermaritzburg.
Maharaj, 43, made her acting debut in locally produced film, The Cane Cutter, where she plays the role of Priya. Originally from Greytown but now residing in Durban, Maharaj has fond memories of Pietermaritzburg, having lived there for 18 years.
"I moved to Pietermaritzburg straight out of school and completed my tertiary education at UKZN. Pietermaritzburg was my home for 18 years before I relocated to Durban. Having the screening at Liberty Midlands Cinecentre is nostalgic for me and very special.
"I would love everyone to come out and show support for a fully homegrown movie that we can easily claim as our own, because it's just so relatable," said Maharaj, who is a corporate workwear solutions leader.
The journey to landing her role began when Maharaj heard a call for actors on the radio.
"I honestly didn't think anything would come of it; I literally came home one day, learnt the lines, and shot the video on my cell phone, in my lounge. To my surprise, East Coast Radio called me back and I was incredibly excited. And as they say... the rest is history.
"There are parts to Priya that I related well to. At our core, we are both defined by our devotion to the people we love, our family and friends. We navigate the world as independent, free-spirited women. I resonated with her resilience in making life-changing decisions, no matter how hard they were. But then I also found myself wanting to choose differently for her in some instances," said the mother of one.
She said learning the lines was actually the easy part, her challenge came from finding the 'why' behind each moment.
"It wasn't just about saying the words; it was about understanding the motivation and ensuring that the emotional truth of the scene was landed. The energy on set was electric, and having such a supportive cast and crew made all the difference. Director, Eubulus Timothy, steered the ship amidst many challenges to create something really special.
"It opened my eyes to the incredible amount of technical precision required. There is so much that goes into making a movie and I definitely have a greater appreciation for all associated with the trade," she said.
Maharaj said the feedback from people who have watched the movie has been heartwarming.
"Many people have related deeply to the many themes of The Cane Cutter. The celebration of the indentured labourers forms the foundation of the movie, but there are so many intricate topics that have sparked some really honest, wholesome and authentic conversations.
"People have come forward with so many stories about their forefathers, their struggles and their successes. There are themes of GBV, abandonment, narcissism and it's really very important conversations that we need to keep having," she said.
Philasande Daki, Darren Maule, Kiraan Naidoo, Shan Moodley, Kajal Lutchminarian, Shika Moodley, Vanessa Marawa, Eubulus Timothy, Razeen Dada, and Adam Doré are some of the cast and crew members of The Cane Cutter movie.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers
The Cane Cutter pays homage to the enduring legacy of Indian indentured workers in South Africa opened in Durban cinemas in November. Its premiere at the Midlands CineCentre will take place on Tuesday and open on Friday, January 30 to the public.
Produced by Shan Moodley and directed by Dr Eubulus Timothy, the film takes the audience back to 1911 when two teens fell in love while travelling on the last ship carrying indentured labourers to Durban.
At its heart lies a poignant love story between a girl, a paid passenger from Gujarat, and a Telugu boy, who is an indentured labourer. Fate intervenes, leaving them separated upon arrival in Durban, mirroring the real-life stories of countless individuals from that era.
Over a hundred years later driven by a passion to tell the story of the rich history of his heritage in Durban, South Africa, Dev Venkiah, played by Razeen Dada, drops out of law school to make a documentary of his great-grandfather. The making of the documentary brings together the descendants of the orignal lovers, Dev and medical doctor and kathak dancer named Amisha Bhagwan, played by Kajal Lutchminarian.