Rajesh Kumar leaves Isidingo
RAJESH Kumar may be leaving SABC’s popular soapie Isidingo, but Jack Devnarain has no intentions of staying away from the spotlight.
The 47-year-old actor, who has played Rajesh for 15 years in the long-running soapie, said he intended spreading his wings in the industry.
Devnarain is the chairman of the South African Guild of Actors.
He said that apart from playing a villain in an upcoming feature film, he planned to explore community theatre, showcase young talent, turn to event promoting and take on the industry in a different way.
“My work with the South African Guild is to encourage and support others in the industry. I plan to travel a lot and connect with other performers and encourage them to take a stand for themselves,” he said.
Devnarain, formerly of oThongathi, to the north of
Durban, believes he is at an important turning point in his career and he needs to venture out.
“My role during the soap has been amazing. The fans usually see me and scream out Rajesh, which I don’t mind,” he said. “It makes me feel a sense of pride to know what I do, can touch people as it does. The decision to leave the show was an amicable one between myself and the show producers.”
Speaking about his character’s exit, Devnarain, who lives in Randburg, Johannesburg, said viewers would feel a sense of loss.
“Since making the announcement of my parting with the show, people’s reactions depict the amount of love, value and support they have for me.”
The father of two, who also worked at the SAPS for nine years, has performed in numerous TV and film productions.
These included 31 Million Reasons in which he received a SAFTA nomination as ‘Best Lead Actor in a Feature Film’ and The Ghost and the Darkness.