Surya Kasibhatla, who plays a teen with cerebral palsy in a new Bollywood thriller, lives with the disability every day. But casting him is a rare move of inclusivity in the world’s largest film industry. Sudha G Tilak speaks with Surya about his journey.
Surya is a vegetarian foodie, plays the piano, loves cricket, plans to learn computer programming and calls himself “a nifty coder”.
The Texas-based teenager has his own Instagram handle and YouTube channel, gleefully noting the rising number of followers.
His acclaimed performance, alongside celebrated Indian actors Vidya Balan and Shefali Shah, in a new Amazon thriller Jalsa has put him in the spotlight.
“I have cerebral palsy but that does not hinder my ability to learn new skills,” Surya said on a Zoom interview.
Jalsa is a gritty drama set in the city of Mumbai. Surya plays Ayush, the geeky son of a popular news anchor, played by Balan. He loves playing video games, listening to music and acting cheeky with his doting grandmother. A hit-and-run accident involving his mother turns the family’s life upside down.
Surya landed the role when the casting director spotted his YouTube videos and got in touch. In the videos, Surya sings, “teaches” computer programming and offers cricket “lessons”. A family friend suggested he audition for the film and his homemaker mother, Sunitha Sanagaram, encouraged him saying, “Let’s do it.” - BBC