Sugar Tuesday

It’s not a numbers game for Navi Rawat, whose multi-ethnic beauty and vivacious personality takes the quality of acting well beyond the box office. Navi may have hit productions such as 24, The O.C, and Feast behind her, but it’s what she continues to strive towards that illustrates her talent and genuine love of acting.

Since gracing the cover of iStyle back in 2005, Navi has done some growing up, “become more adult, more mature, and a better actor” while “committing [herself] to acting in a good way”. That’s an understatement, as she fills SugarTuesday in on what she’s been up to since our last chat, and what’s in store.

A Balanced Equation...

Since 2005, Navi has held a lead role with the CBS crime drama, Numb3rs, portraying Amita. Often times, when playing a main character on a hit television series, viewers tend to perceive the actor as that character. Navi is “a very driven professional, as is Amita with her work and career in the show.” However, the actress is quick to clarify she is “not a professor, scientist, or mathematician...nor do I excel in those fields. I excel in literature, in more of an artistic field. We use different parts of our brain, but we’re both ambitious and she’s very focussed on her work as am I.”

Navi takes pride in shaping her character with executive producer, Ken Sanzel, who “is really great with developing Amita’s character in terms of the way I want to develop her; we share a common vision for her”. Regular meetings take place where they voice concerns or desires for what direction characters move in and what happens to them. Since a few years ago, “things have been progressing in an organic way for my character and I am very fortunate Ken has my interest at heart.”

Amita doesn’t really convey the stereotypical ‘studious Indian mathematician’ who is submissive or has a thick accent and little concern for style. On the contrary, she’s trendy, has no accent, is westernized, confident, and in a relationship against her parents’ initial wishes. This evolution of how South Asian women are currently being represented in television/film reflects an updated, realistic demographic and slowly strays away from a typical generalization. “Fortunately that’s not how it is anymore,” states Navi, “look at Kal Penn on House, Parminder Nagra on ER, or [portrayals] on Mercy or The Office...Indian people are more contemporary and reflect society on how it is today instead of the outdated stereotype. I’ve loved that of my character, Amita, from the beginning. [Indian] people really excel in those fields, so it was great to see that positive, modern portrayal of someone who is Indian. It is an honour to play her and I get such positive feedback. [Viewers find Amita as] a good role model...to go to school, have social skills, while being attractive. There’s a lot to live up to.”

Prior to Numb3rs, Navi would get Indian roles where she’d be asked to do an exaggerated accent but, “personally, I find it offensive and ignorant. The ‘Indian accent’ is what it is today,” as she’s seen in her cousins who live between Toronto and Delhi, it has more of an Indian/British tone, which is “more of a global accent as opposed to the stereotypical ‘7-Eleven’ one.”

The Advantage...

Often with actors/models who are of a mixed ethnic background, Navi has become versatile in the myriad of roles she takes on, being of a mixed Indian and German descent herself. Although, it can be a challenge “because [most] of the time people only see you as ethnic” which could lead way to typecasting. “But then again,” Navi reaps the benefit where “a lot of the times there are parts I look right for whereas someone blonde or [non-ethnic] wouldn’t”.

Having portrayed a variety of backgrounds, Navi recognizes both the fascination and struggle of understanding different cultures. Her intelligence and worldly approach to her profession is evident in the way she speaks of becoming immersed in the whole learning experience. After playing an Iranian daughter in the House of Sand and Fog, Navi was able to travel to the Middle East for the first time, in 2007/08. “Experiencing that culture for the first time was challenging and I didn’t realize how challenging when I was playing the character in the House of Sand and Fog. I find it very [interesting] and a really special place. There are misconceptions and generalizations of that culture,” and as it is further exposed in television and film, “I hope we are able to expose the falsities...there are some really wonderful things about those cultures that have glossed over.”

Tracing The Sugar and Spice...

Whether it is for work or leisure, Navi has a sincere appreciation for travel. Of all of the destinations she has explored, Navi attributes India as her favourite where she “had the most amazing, life changing [experience].” Naturally, her father organized the main trip in 2007/08 and if work permits, Navi hopes to go back next January. Although Navi has also been back to Germany, visiting Berlin and Munich where her mother and grandmother are from, “nothing could have lived up to how great [India] was.”

Perhaps it was this experience that enabled Navi to perform with such conviction in Sarab Neelam’s Ocean of Pearls. The film exhibits a dramatic, heart-felt storyline that deals with opposing cultural values and sacrifice. And what intrigued Navi to become involved with such a project? She simply loved the story. “My character is a very traditional Indian girl, opposite of Amita [in Numb3rs]. She does what her family wants, and is involved in the community. She has a boyfriend who is a Sikh a doctor that comes to America from Toronto to work at a high level clinic. He questions if he can achieve everything professionally while maintaining his roots and religion. He faces pressure in the new world to look like everyone else in order to get promoted. There’s this [constant struggle between] the old and the new. My character represents the old; a character of integrity. I found her to be very admirable as a human being. I thought it would be different than other roles, there’s this quiet integrity about her that drew me to her.”

With the success and award-winning calibre of Ocean of Pearls, winning Best Feature Film at the 2009 Detroit Windsor International Film Festival, the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Choice Award at the 2008 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, the Audience Choice Award at the 2008 Toronto Reel World Film Festival, and with showings at both the 10th International Film Festival in Mumbai and the Cannes Film Festival , Navi takes a humble bow when asked how it feels to be such a main ingredient in the successful production. “I’m really proud for Ocean of Pearls. Sarab Neelam was a first-time director, he used his own money, some of the story was based on his life...he is such a wonderful person. It was a wonderful experience getting to know these people, going to Detroit, being introduced to the Sikh community there, it was an enriching experience. All the credit goes to Sarab Neelam – he had a dream and vision, and he followed through. He’s the one who didn’t give up on the film and kept getting it out there.” Even with previous recognition, after working along an Academy Award winning cast of the House of Sand and Fog and acclaimed Emmy-awarded show 24, Navi remains grounded and always looks to give sincere praise to her co-stars and directors.

Against the Grain...

Increasingly popular, Indian characters are being incorporated or written into mainstream entertainment and more recently, we’ve seen Navi in characters that coincidentally convey images from her Indian heritage. She’s not necessarily biased when it comes to choosing work, “it just happens and depends on the casting call.” In fact, Navi just completed production on Flash Forward, not playing an Indian character. “It’s actually 180 degrees from the characters I’ve played in Numb3ers and Ocean of Pearls. I also recently worked on Shonda Rhymes’ pilot of a show spin-off of Private Practice. In the pilot, even though the lead character was Indian, I didn’t play her. It really depends on the character and if I like it. It just so happens that Ocean of Pearls and Numb3rs worked out that way.” Navi also shares how “bigger, more prominent film makes don’t think I am ‘Indian enough’ so I’m sort of in this nowhere land; not that Indian and not that American, leading neither here nor there. I am who I am and just have to go after the parts that I want.”

Her Favourite Facade...

We’ve seen Navi in action, horror, drama, comedy, and science fiction – so what’s her favourite? “I love to watch horror films and when I get to work on them, it’s a lot of fun. Sci-fi has its thing....” but Navi stays true to her deepness, as drama is what she most enjoys and excels at, “it’s what interests me the most.”

“By far one of the best characters I’ve ever played,” according to Navi, “was for a pilot that wasn’t picked up for a series, but instead turned into a movie of the week, called Thought Crimes.” The character of Freya McAllister was one of her favourites because “she was very complex and had a lot going on. She was the lead of the show and I just loved that character!”

Not necessarily one to follow a fad, Navi has been a fan of the Twilight series even before it became popular. “I loved all [those] books prior to the whole craze and would love to do something like that. Many have recommended it for me, it’d be so much fun!” After having done a stint on the show Angel in 2004 as a vampire slayer, and with so many movies/shows surfacing with the same concept, it may just be inevitable for Navi especially since that experience has become a memorable one for her; “I loved that role...a fan sent me a trading card of my character and I was so appreciative of it! I’ve kept it in my scrapbook, ever since.”

Regardless of the type of role or project Navi is working on, she is dedicated to her craft. “I go to class, work pretty hard 5-10 hours a day on preparation, work with a coach, do physical and vocal work...Although it looks easy, it’s pretty hard to get to a certain place...you don’t just roll out of bed and show up [on set].”

She’s a Fan too....

Although admired by so many herself, Navi has a bit of stardust as well. Having the pleasure to work with so many stars already, Navi would like to add the likes of Robert D’Niro, Clint Eastwood, and Sean Penn to that list; “I love Robert D’Niro,” gushes Navi, “I think he’s fabulous!” As for actresses, Navi adores Kate Winslet – even before her recent successes, “I’m really happy for her to get her Oscar.”

A Colorful Palette...

Not only does Navi showcase her acting talents on screen, she adds credibility with a comprehensive education from NYU, graduating with a double major in Literature. She is able to appreciate various forms of writing and prose, differently than those who don’t share her expertise in that aspect of film and television. Navi explains “it deepened my understanding of material and enriched my perspective in the way I read and interpret characters....I can see more layers and complexities.” Her degree also lends itself to the possibility of her trying out some writing or producing in the future. In fact, Navi has received some offers that way recently, and “things are beginning to shift. I would love to write because I have ideas, but I’m not sure I have the time or discipline.”

Adding to her multifaceted repertoire, Navi was once the cover model for iStyle, displaying ease and natural beauty with every shot. Ironically, Navi mentions she’s “not a model and feels strange sometimes in photo shoots”; Whereas fashion and celebrity photographer, Chris Kilkus, begs to differ saying “she totally gets it and is great in front of the camera!” While someone of his stature suggests she could be a professional, Navi is not about to add it to her palette. “It takes real skill. It can be excruciatingly painful – you have to contort and suck things in and contour your body...it’s hard to get that shot. It’s a real skill that has to be honed and developed. I respect models, it’s not as easy as it looks!” Nonetheless, Navi likes “being in front of the camera – whatever kind it is!” She has her talents behind the lens too, since photography is a favourite hobby of hers. “I am an avid photo taker, especially since I like to travel, so I really respect and appreciate it.”

Beauty Secrets....

With her youthful glow keeping her at 21 forever, Navi’s secret to radiance is simple – “take care of myself on the inside and outside.” In addition to regular facials, it’s important for Navi to maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay fit by doing yoga, spinning, drinking lots of water, and eliminating meat from her diet. As for fashion, Navi insists “I’m not really trendy....recently I’ve really liked the boyfriend jeans, more so because they are comfortable. At work, you constantly feel like you’re dressed up or people are always doing your makeup...so when I’m not doing that, jeans and a t-shirt is my uniform! I love fashion – all of it – but when you’re in it constantly, you just prefer to be comfortable.”

What’s Next....

In addition to her prevalence on Numb3rs, Navi is currently working on a show called Flash Forward – on which she cannot divulge too much information just yet – but can assure it’s going to be something good for fans to look forward to this fall. She is also considering a new film for January, so “there’s a lot all at once, juggling multiple scripts and characters.”

Reflecting back to when she first began her career, Navi feels like she’s accomplished some goals but not all of them. “I want to do more film or if I do another series, I want to do a lead or bigger part. I know it would be more demanding, but I love working. I don’t mind the hours because more than anything else, I want to act. I like to constantly look ahead and want to do more.” Clearly, there is much more of Navi Rawat yet to come. Whether she excites you through action packed science fiction, cries with you in heart-felt drama, or makes you laugh as the girl next door, Navi’s work is always rich with artistic depth and thoughtful contribution. Stay tuned for her next act, you won’t want to miss it.

Navi Rawat was photographed for Sugar Tuesday in Los Angeles by photographer Christopher Kilkus.