Avantika (actress)
Avantika Vandanapu | |
---|---|
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Born | [1] Union City, California, U.S. | January 25, 2005
Nationality | American |
Education | Columbia University |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 2015–present |
Website | iamavantika |
Avantika Vandanapu (born January 25, 2005),[2] is an American actress of Indian descent.
Avantika began her acting career in the Telugu film industry with the 2016 film Brahmotsavam. Following this, she proceeded to work on multiple projects within Telugu cinema. She then transitioned to Hollywood and had her first lead role in the Disney Channel original movie Spin (2021) and subsequently starred in Netflix’s Senior Year (2022).
A turning point in her career came in her portrayal of Karen Shetty in the musical comedy Mean Girls and she has since found commercial success in the horror film Tarot (both 2024).
Early life
[edit]Avantika Vandanapu was born to an Indian Telugu family in Union City, California, part of the San Francisco Bay Area.[3][4] Her family originally hails from Hyderabad in India before they emigrated to the United States. She took drama lessons at the American Conservatory Theater.[5]
Career
[edit]In 2014, Avantika won second place in the Zee TV dance competition reality series Dance India Dance L'il Masters (North America Edition).[6]
Avantika entered Telugu cinema in 2015 and was signed for two movies. She was selected to play the role of Chutki in 14 Reels Entertainment's Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha (2016), however, scheduling conflicts forced her to leave during production. Avantika officially debuted as a child artist in Brahmotsavam (2016) starring Mahesh Babu. She then appeared in Chandra Shekhar Yeleti's film Manamantha. Later, she signed on for Premam starring Naga Chaitanya and Shruti Hassan, in which she portrays the younger version of Madonna Sebastian's character.[7] Avantika revealed that the key reason for her departure from Telugu cinema was the lack of variety in the roles she was offered which mainly consisted of playing the "heroine" or a "small supporting role".[8]
In 2021, Avantika played the lead role of Rhea Kumar in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Spin alongside Meera Syal, Abhay Deol and Aryan Simhadri.[9] The film, along with her performance, received positive reception from critics with Udita Jhunjhunwala of Firstpost describing her as a "delight'' further praising "[her] sparkling eyes, [as] she glides through the restaurant with as much ease as she finds her groove behind the mixing console".[10] She followed this with supporting roles in the Netflix original films Moxie and Senior Year with the former directed by Amy Poehler and the latter co-starring Rebel Wilson.
In 2024, Avantika portrayed Karen Shetty in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Mean Girls, based on the 2004 movie of the same name.[11] The movie received mixed reviews from critics, however, her performance was well-received.[12] Writing for The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw praised Avantika as the standout "among the mean girls".[13] Discussing the change in Karen's ethnicity from the original film, Avantika expressed how "playing that kind of character, especially as an Indian American woman is really, really crazy," adding that she was "excited to finally play a South Asian character that wasn’t reduced to being a stereotype".[14] The Times of India noted that the role established her presence in American cinema.[15]
Following this, she returned to Indian projects with the Amazon Prime series Big Girls Don't Cry as a closeted lesbian who struggles to retain her basketball captaincy whilst coming to terms with her sexuality.[16] In a mixed review for Film Companion, Rahul Desai criticised that the abundance of characters makes it difficult to maintain focus to the nuances of each character’s storyline but praised the chemistry and performances of the cast.[17] Avantika then appeared amongst an ensemble in the Anna Halberg and Spenser Cohen-helmed Tarot.[18] Her decision to take on the role was influenced by her mother's belief in astrology, rooted in their Hindu faith, and her own interest in the occult during her youth as the film amalgamated the two.[19] The film was panned by critics;[20] in her review for Collider, Emma Kiely found that Avantika's performance had been constrained as she "isn't given enough to do" and compared it unfavourably to her performance in Mean Girls.[21] Made on a shoestring-budget, the film emerged as a major commercial success.[22]
Avantika is set to headline the Disney+ original series A Crown of Wishes, based on the 2017 novel of the same name.[23]
Personal life
[edit]Avantika currently resides in New York City.[24] She attends Columbia University as a member of the class of 2027.[24][25]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]† | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Year | Film | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Brahmotsavam | Babu's cousin | ||
Manamantha | Swathi | |||
Premam | Young Sindhu | |||
2017 | Rarandoi Veduka Chudham | Young Bhramarambha | ||
Balakrishnudu | Young Aadhya | |||
Oxygen | Herself | |||
2018 | Agnyaathavaasi | Sampath's daughter | ||
2021 | Spin | Rhea Kumar | Lead role | [26] |
Boomika | Boomika | Tamil film | [27] | |
Moxie | Chem Class Girl | Minor role; credited as Avantika Vandanapu | ||
2022 | Senior Year | Janet Singh | [28] | |
2024 | Mean Girls | Karen Shetty | [11][29][30] | |
Tarot | Paige | |||
TBA | Ballerina Overdrive[31] | Filming |
Television
[edit]† | Denotes series that have not yet been released |
Year | Series | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Dance India Dance L'il Masters (North America Edition) | Herself | Contestant | |
2018 | The Talent Show | [32] | ||
2019 | Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures | Sareena Tapoor, additional voice | Recurring voice role | |
2020 | Diary of a Future President | Monyca | Recurring role (season one) | |
Mira, Royal Detective | Kamala | Recurring voice role | ||
2022 | The Sex Lives of College Girls | Priya | Guest role | |
2023 | Hell's Kitchen | Herself | Guest diner/Teen Cancer America contributor; Episode: A Hellish Food Fight | |
2024 | Big Girls Don’t Cry | Ludo | [33] | |
TBA | A Crown of Wishes† | Princess Gauri | Lead role; also executive producer | [34] |
References
[edit]- ^ Simamora, Diana Aprilia (August 31, 2022). "Analysis of Three Dimensions of Characters in a Teenager Movie: Mean Girls". Humanis. 26 (3): 207. doi:10.24843/jh.2022.v26.i03.p01. ISSN 2302-920X.
- ^ "Avantika". Avantika. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ Jhunjhunwala, Udita (August 18, 2021). "Spin actor Avantika on Disney Channel film being a win for South Asian community, her acting icons, and career aspirations". Firstpost. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
- ^ Kalanidhi, Manju Latha (August 22, 2021). "Girl on fire: Telugu ammayi from LA Avantika Vandanapu hailed as breakout star of Disney's 'Spin'". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021.
- ^ Belle, Nithin (August 28, 2021). "Dubai is favourite city for Indian-American showbiz star Avantika Vandanapu". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on August 28, 2021.
- ^ "Avantika Vandanapu from Union City was selected as one of the top ten finalists out of more than 10,000 contestants". Tri-City Voice. August 13, 2014. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015.
- ^ "Avantika Vandanapu Indian American Actress | Tollywood to Hollywood". The Global Indian. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ ""Mahesh Babu is down to earth, great actor": Avantika Vandanapu". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ "Spin movie review: Avantika Vandanapu, Abhay Deol film is a welcome deviation from typical high school flicks". www.msn.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ "Spin movie review: Avantika Vandanapu, Abhay Deol film is a welcome deviation from typical high school flicks-Entertainment News , Firstpost". Firstpost. August 16, 2021. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ a b Grobar, Matt (February 8, 2023). "'Mean Girls': Avantika, Christopher Briney & Bebe Wood Board Paramount Film Based On Tony-Nominated Musical Adaptation". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023.
- ^ Edwards, Chris (January 12, 2024). "'Mean Girls' musical reboot described as "snappy" yet "culturally irrelevant" in mixed reviews". NME. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (January 10, 2024). "Mean Girls review – high-school sadism comedy as sugar-rush movie musical". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
- ^ Kulkarni, Bhargavi (February 4, 2024). "The Desi Mean Girl: A Conversation With Avantika Vandanapu Who Breaks Stereotypes in the New Version of Iconic Film". American Kahani. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ "From child actor to global star: Avantika Vandanapu is on a roll". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ "School Series BGDC To Release On OTT On THIS Date. Watch". TimesNow. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ @iamavantika (January 24, 2021). "literally could not come up with an innovative caption to communicate that i have aged one more year! but enjoy the unnecessary life update :))". Retrieved July 10, 2022 – via Instagram.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (June 28, 2022). "Jacob Batalon, Alana Boden, Adain Bradley and Avantika To Star In Screen Gems' 'Horrorscope'". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ Morrow, Brendan. "Avantika talks 'Tarot' and that racist 'Tangled' backlash: 'Media literacy is a dying art'". USA Today. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ "Tarot". Metacritic. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ Kiely, Emma (May 2, 2024). "'Tarot' Review: A Surprisingly Scary But Ultimately Forgettable PG-13 Horror". Collider. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
- ^ Lammers, Tim. "'Tarot' Movie Makes Debut On Digital Streaming". Forbes. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 3, 2022). "Avantika To Headline 'A Crown Of Wishes' Fantasy Series In Works At Disney Branded TV For Disney+". Deadline. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ a b "Get in, loser. A brown Mean Girl is here". Vogue India. January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ^ Shaw, Rachel. "She doesn't even go here!... Oh wait, she does: Meet Avantika Vandanapu from 'Mean Girls'". Columbia Daily Spectator. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Avantika Vandanapu on her Disney movie SPIN & why her Desi family covers the remote with plastic". Pinkvilla. August 14, 2021. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ^ "Aishwarya Rajesh starrer Boomika promises to be a gripping horror movie". The Indian Express. August 10, 2021. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ^ "Girl on fire: Telugu ammayi from LA Avantika Vandanapu hailed as breakout star of Disney's 'Spin'". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ Mantilla, Ryan Louis (March 7, 2023). "Get in, Loser: Mean Girls The Musical Has Started Filming". Collider. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
- ^ "Reneé Rapp as Regina George Is a Must-See in First "Mean Girls" Teaser". Teen Vogue. September 26, 2023. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- ^ Maddie Ziegler & Avantika Cast In ‘Ballerina Overdrive’ From 87North & Gulfstream Pictures
- ^ "Watch The Talent Show S1:E4 Final Group Auditions". therokuchannel.roku.com. August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
- ^ "Watch the trailer of 'Big Girls Don't Cry,' Prime Video's upcoming Original series". IN About Amazon. March 6, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ Gomez, Dessi (March 8, 2024). "'Mean Girls' 2024 Cast and Character Guide: Who Plays Who?". thewarp.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Living people
- 2005 births
- People from Union City, California
- American film actresses
- American television actresses
- American voice actresses
- American child actresses
- American actresses of Indian descent
- American people of Telugu descent
- Kuchipudi exponents
- Telugu actresses
- American female dancers
- Dancers from California
- American expatriate actresses in India
- Actresses in Telugu cinema
- Actresses in Tamil cinema
- 21st-century American actresses
- Columbia College (New York) alumni