'They wanted it to be real': Main character in new Netflix animated series brought to life by B.C. girl
A B.C. girl is making her voice acting debut in a new animated Netflix series, saying she's excited that they chose her to bring the spunky, South Asian lead to life.
Pavan Bharaj, from Burnaby, says she decided to audition for "Deepa and Anoop' two years ago when she was 10, despite never having acted before.
"I never really thought about being an actor or voice actor until this opportunity came up. And my mom showed it to me and she's like, 'Hey, do you think that you would want to do this?' And I said, 'yes,' because it seemed like something new and creative and something that might be fun," she tells CTV News.
Bharaj plays a seven-year-old girl named Deepa whose sidekick is a colourful baby elephant named Anoop.
"It's really nice because usually they get an adult. But for this they wanted a kid because they wanted it to be real, they wanted a real child to portray the character," Bharaj says.
"She's very energetic and optimistic and is always going on adventures and having fun."
The series debuts Monday and is a production of Mattel, Inc. – marking the toy company's first foray into original programming. The company described the series in a media release last month.
"The dynamic duo, self-appointed 'concierges of fun,' makes everything bigger, grander and more wonderful for guests at Mango Manor, the bed and breakfast run by Deepa’s multigenerational family," it reads.
"With a Bollywood number in every episode, Deepa creates music, merriment and mischief while working with the rambunctious Anoop to solve the simplest of problems with the most imaginative of solutions."
Pavan Bharaj is seen in the studio recording the voice of the lead character in a new Netflix animated series.
The characters of Deepa's father, mother and grandmother are also voiced by actors of Indian descent.
Bharaj says she really appreciates that the company made this decision, although given that the series was produced during the pandemic she didn’t get the chance to meet her co-stars in person.
"I think it's really great that they decided to choose and find a person of colour to do this project because it's all about a South Asian family. So it's really nice that they were able to get a lot of South Asian people in the cast," she said.
For Bharaj's mother, the chance for her daughter and other South Asian children to see themselves, their families and their culture reflected in the series is exciting – and it's something she says she never had growing up.
The family is looking forward to sitting down together and watching the première with a few friends
"I don't think we're going to have a big party because it is a Monday and not many people are free," Bharaj said.
"So maybe a small party."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Saskatchewan households will continue to receive carbon tax rebate: Trudeau
Households in Saskatchewan will continue to receive Canada Carbon Rebate payments, despite the province refusing to remit the federal carbon price on natural gas, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday.
'It's just so hard to let it go': Umar Zameer still haunted by death of Toronto police officer
“It's just so hard to let it go. I mean, everyone is telling me, ‘you have to move on,’ but I know someone is not here [anymore]. So I don't know how I will move on." That’s what Umar Zameer, the man recently acquitted in the death of a Toronto police officer, told CTV News Toronto in a sit-down interview on Tuesday.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.