Indira Varma (born 14 May 1973 in Bath, Somerset) is an English actress. Her first major role was in Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love. She has gone on to appear in the television series The Canterbury Tales, Rome, Luther, Human Target and Game of Thrones.
[Asiana magazine, August 2004, about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's acting] As an actor, I love to transform that magic, to step inside a new role and make it part of my skin, my being. And she, well, she looks the same. She has the same make-up artist for every movie. I wanted to ask her, "Don't you want to be in something where no one recognizes you?" The whole concept of method acting was like an alien concept, but it does exist. Look at Om Puri, look at Shabana Azmi. Jesus, she'd never even seen a Satyajit Ray movie!
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[in Asiana magazine, August 2004, about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan] She's always working, if she isn't acting she's doing a dance show or singing at some billionaire's party or attending some gala premiere. I wanted to shake her and scream, "Call this a life? Take a holiday for God's sake!" But she surrounds herself with yes-men who treat her like a goddess - she's in a bubble and if she's happy I guess that's cool.
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[Asiana magazine, August 2004] I'm as insecure as the next girl when it comes to the way I look, but I also know anyone can be made to look much better than they are, whether that's through cosmetic surgery and trick photography or make-up and a flattering dress. Other people's glamor only becomes a problem when you become obsessed with wanting to look like them. I can do glamorous if a part or a photo shoot requires it, but I don't want to live glamorous.
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[Asiana magazine, August 2004] The star system in India takes some getting used to. The divide between rich and poor is huge as it is, but if you're a film star, you're placed way up there and everyone around expects you to behave like you're a superior being or something. There are people hanging around all day waiting to bring you a glass of water or carry something for you, anything to show you they're not worthy. It's crazy. For the British Asian stars among the cast, who grew up minus servants and peons waiting on them hand on foot, or feeling any particular need to act the star when off camera, all this seemed a bit much. For a while, they decided to put it down to different strokes. Until [Indira and co-star and "soulmate" Nitin Ganatra] decided, "Sod this. Let's take the piss."
5
I've been doing serious acting for as long as I've been working, but sadly, most Asians don't attend plays or tune into what they consider arty dramas, but I know they'll watch Bride & Prejudice (2004). It's not exactly serious acting, but at least I won't be seen as the porn star that some people think I am!
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[about her drama training] I grew up, psychologically and emotionally. You were constantly asked to delve deep into yourself. You know, method acting and all that. In Improv you'd think to yourself, "Right. My character's been raped, and beaten up, and now's she's tied up in this room". And you'd say to people, "Ooh. Could you throw me down the stairs before my improvisation and tie me up?" It wasn't a case of acting, it was where you became the person. Ridiculous, but really good fun.
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Fact
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2015 Award: Behind The Voice Actors Awards: Won Best Vocal Ensemble in a Video Game for "Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014)" by Mike Laidlaw.
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Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art from 1992-1995.
$700,000
