SHAHIR Chundra was born and raised in Pietermaritzburg. He attended local schools and overcame a life-threatening childhood illness, never allowing it to put a damper on his future.
Today, he is the show-runner on Netflix's first African reality show, Young, Famous & African. It started screening globally from March 18 in more than 190 countries.
Chundra, now based in Johannesburg, said his passion for TV and film were aligned with his destiny.
“I attended Woodlands Secondary School then Maritzburg College for a term in Grade 11 until I fell ill and missed the rest of that year. In matric, I went back to Woodlands to complete my schooling.
“As far back as I can remember, I have had a love for the entertainment industry. I was obsessed with movies, music and film and this was fostered by my mother, Shameme, who was involved in the arts throughout her life. I acted through school in theatre productions and was part of a rock band called MadLove in my 20s.
“Strangely enough, by the end of high school I was planning to study medicine mainly because it was what everyone advised me to do, until I got cancer at 16 and missed a chunk of school. Because of that, I didn’t get the grades I was planning on, which was a blessing in disguise that ultimately forced me in the direction of my true passion.”
Chundra studied a degree in filmmaking at AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy, in Johannesburg and later moved to the USA where he studied acting at the New York Film Academy.
Over the years he has worked on a few projects; directing youth culture shows and writing for sitcoms in South Africa. He has also worked in different directing roles on reality shows including on Survivor SA, Masterchef SA Season 3 and The Bachelor SA.
On screen he has appeared in acting roles on TV shows that include Isidingo and 7de Laan, and he starred in the Emmy award-winning international series Homeland (season 4). His movie projects include Mayfair and 3 Days to Go.
“I am a director and producer in the television industry. So far, I have worked mainly in reality TV, but my aim is to make my way into film and series. On Young, Famous & African, I am the show-runner, which is a role that sits somewhere between a director and producer.”
Having worked both in front of, and behind the camera, Chundra said while acting was his first love, it tended to keep him at the mercy of his insecurities.
“I am probably better suited to being behind the camera.”
‘Game changer’
Chundra said working with Netflix was a game changer for any creative.
“The fact that a show made in a single region can then have a global release to that many people (222 million subscribers) is mind blowing. We are incredibly excited to see how it will be received. I hope our show helps to dispel short-sighted ideas about South Africa and Africa in general.
“We live in beautiful cities with talented and exciting people, and the world needs to see that. In terms of entertainment value, our stories are as exciting as any place in the world. Johannesburg is a world-class city and hopefully people will see that and want to visit our country because of the show.
“Also, from a production point of view, I can't wait for the world to see the quality of the craft of an amazing, young and talented crew that made this show. The level that the Netflix team pushes their collaborators to achieve is incredible. Every single one of us is a better creative for being on this show and working with the Netflix team. It has been without doubt the highlight of my career.”
He said Young, Famous & African was different from other reality shows he had worked on.
“Here, we really are following the amazing lives of a group of superstar friends and the show plays out like drama - although I must add, it was all very real. I think South Africans will enjoy this world-class slice of access to some of Africa’s biggest stars living the lives we all dream of living. Our cast members ooze star power, and are engaging and entertaining without trying.”
In a press statement Netflix said the reality series followed a group of young, affluent, and famous A-list media personalities from South Africa, Nigeria and East Africa - the who’s who of music, media, fashion and Instagram stars.
“This reality series follows a crew of famed, affluent stars as they work and play, flirt and feud in Johannesburg,” it said.
It stars South Africans Khanyi Mbau (actress and media personality), Nadia Nakai (rapper), Andile Ncube (TV personality) and celebrity couple Quinton Madina (aka Naked DJ) and Kayleigh Schwark. It also stars Diamond Platnumz (Tanzanian musician); Annie Macaulay-Idibia (Nigerian actress and media personality), 2Baba (singer), Swanky Jerry (stylist), and Zari the Boss Lady (Ugandan businesswoman, artist and socialite).
Chundra said the group were friends and their stories were real and natural.
“They also needed to be stars in their own right. In the end, we found a group that I am sure both the local and international audiences will love watching.”
As to whether more celebs would join in, it was a wait and see game, he said.
“Firstly, we have to wait and see how the world will react to the show, but with this globe-trotting group of stars that are all connected to the African entertainment industry's brightest stars, I can only hope you'll be seeing a host of the biggest celebrities that the continent has to offer - should there be another season.”
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