By Keveshan Govender || Hello.writtenbykg@gmail.com
Actor Ruben Naidoo in the film ‘My Business’ SABC 1 – Picture: Supplied
Durban actor Ruben Naidoo opens up about his passion for the entertainment industry and the challenges he has faced throughout his career. At 65 years old, Naidoo reflects on his journey from acting out movies with costumes as a child to becoming a seasoned actor in Durban.
Naidoo, who resides in the Queensburgh area, describes his property as a peaceful haven overlooking a nature reserve. Despite living in a sub-urban area, he claims it feels like living in the countryside.
From a young age, Naidoo was captivated by movies. In primary school, he and his friend would spend hours acting out their own films with self-made costumes. He started his acting career in stand-up comedy, radio drama, and onstage performances. Initially, Naidoo took on roles as an extra, which gave him valuable insights into the industry and ultimately hooked him into the world of acting.
With every movie, Naidoo acknowledges that there comes a challenge. Each director has different expectations and a unique style, requiring him to adapt to meet their demands as an actor.
Throughout his career, Naidoo has had many memorable experiences, one being the movie "Worth." In this film, he played a coloured drug dealer and gangster in a wheelchair. To make the portrayal authentic, Naidoo spent a week observing people in wheelchairs and learning how to properly use one. Additionally, he had to perfect a coloured accent. Naidoo was satisfied with the character he evolved into and proud of the effort he put into bringing the role to life.
Actor Ruben Naidoo in the film ‘Worth’ streaming on Showmax Africa – Picture: Supplied
Naidoo has witnessed significant changes in the industry over the years. Initially, only local movies were available for actors in Durban. However, now there are international role players in the industry, forcing actors to adapt and raise their standards. This shift required a change of mindset for many actors.
Despite the challenges, Naidoo shares a hilarious blooper during the filming of "Three Days to GO." In this scene, he had to play dead in a mortuary and during a funeral. However, during the coffin scene, Naidoo's on-screen son accidentally pressed down heavily on his chest, causing him to gasp for air and break the seriousness of the moment, resulting in uncontrollable laughter from the crew.
Discussing his acting process, Naidoo emphasizes the importance of understanding the character before learning the lines. He visualizes the character's appearance, including body language, facial expressions, tone, and accent. This complex process sometimes involves multiple adjustments and even dressing up as the character in advance.
When asked about the key to a successful acting career, Naidoo confidently states that passion is essential. He emphasizes that actors may often work for less than the going rate due to their love for the craft. Inconsistent work throughout the year makes having a second career to fall back on crucial.
For aspiring actors, Naidoo advises listening to the advice of seasoned actors and being open to criticism. Facing unsuccessful auditions and taking the opportunity to learn from them is vital for growth in the industry.
Looking ahead, Naidoo expresses his desire to explore comedy roles in the near future, hoping for an opportunity to challenge himself and improve his range as an actor.
Naidoo believes that theatre and acting are vital components of society. As an escape from the stresses of modern life, movies provide moments of laughter and tears. He shares his love for feel good movies, which he repeatedly watches as his own form of escape.
However, Naidoo reminds us that acting is not solely about money. He has willingly assisted in low budget movies for free, understanding that the growth of the industry requires more role players.
Lastly, he describes the indescribable high he experiences when on set, where he is able to create realities that are true and believable. Some of Naidoo’s screen work include playing a magistrate in the Netflix international series ‘The Indian Detective’, he has also featured in South African local dramas such as ‘Imbewu The Seed, Durban Gen and Reyka Season 2’ which is currently airing on Mnet.
Ruben Naidoo's dedication to his craft and passion for acting continue to drive him forward in his career. With his extensive experience and willingness to embrace challenging roles, he is a testament to the resilience and artistry of Durban actors.
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