Preeya Kalidas
Encyclopedia
Preeya Kalidas is a British
singer and actress of Indian descent
. She plays Amira Masood in the soap opera EastEnders
. She returned to a career in singing, with her single "Shimmy
" being released in July 2010 taken from her debut album (I'm Over It) Constant Craving, was supposed to be released in September 2010, but has been postponed until March 2012 due to work commitments.
, she was raised in Twickenham
, south-west London
, the daughter of an independent financial adviser
father, and mother who works for British Airways
. She started ballet
classes at the age of three, and tap at five. She then trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School
in London
.
She trained at Songtime Theatre Arts
.
, Bollywood Queen, My Family and Casualty
, in 2002 she appeared as Monica in Gurinder Chadha
's film Bend It Like Beckham
. She then played the female lead Priya in the Andrew Lloyd Webber
-produced show Bombay Dreams
, written by A.R. Rahman, Meera Syal
and Don Black. She also appeared in the BBC Television
series Bodies
as Dr. Maya Dutta.
In 2007, Kalidas landed the female lead in a West End
revival of Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
. Appearing as the narrator, she performed with Lee Mead
, who won the title role of Joseph in BBC One
's Any Dream Will Do
talent search series. The same year, she appeared in the multi-award-winning Channel 4 miniseries Britz
. In 2009, Kalidas appeared in the second series of BBC One
's Mistresses
, and joined EastEnders
in April of that year as Amira Shah
, the girlfriend, and later wife of Syed Masood
. In January 2010, she decided to quit EastEnders to pursue a pop career. Her final episode was broadcast on 26 April 2010. In July 2011, Kalidas revealed that she would be returning to EastEnders latter part of 2011.
Kalidas appeared in series 2, episode 7 of Green Wing
as a newsagent, and in Hotel Babylon
as Aisha Chaudhri, the daughter of a rich Indian hotel owner. She also appeared in the music video "Love Is Blind" by Ramzi featuring Ash King and "Lets Work it Out" by Raghav. In December 2009, she played the part of Leanne in ITV comedy drama Mister Eleven. She appeared in the 2010 Chris Morris
feature film Four Lions
playing Sofia, the wife of main protagonist Omar (played by Riz Ahmed
). The film was released on 7 May. She also appeared in a small role in Gurinder Chadha's latest film It's a Wonderful Afterlife
.
, Kalidas began to pursue a career in music, and managed to sign a record deal with Universal Records
. Her debut single, "Shimmy
", featuring Mumzy Stranger
, was released on 26 July 2010. Kalidas appeared on several programmes including the National Lottery Results and Loose Women in promotion of the single. The single received mixed reviews, including BBC
Newsround
, who only awarded the song three stars, giving it a negative review. Ruth Harrison from FemaleFirst stated that she 'liked the single' but is not keen on the genre of music.
Kalidas stated in an interview with Digital Spy that her album will consist of a variety of genres. She also confirmed that the album would include collaborations with Bashy
, Skepta
, Schorcer
, Ramzi and Mumzy Stranger
. Kalidas' collaboration with Skepta
, "Cross My Heart
", was released in October 2010 as the lead single from Skepta's second studio album, Doin' It Again
, however, at the time of release, Kalidas firmly stated it's inclusion on her debut album.
In 2011, it was announced that due to poor sales of "Shimmy", Kalidas would no longer be releasing an album with Universal Records. However, in the same month, Kalidas was awarded the Best Female Act award at the UK Asian Music Awards
, where she performed a new song, "I Like You", alongside her debut single "Shimmy" and her collaboration with Skepta, "Cross My Heart". In July 2011, Kalidas signed a new record deal with All Around The World, a label who's artists including multi-award winning N-Dubz
and British rapper Tinchy Stryder
. In September 2011, Kalidas' second single, "It's A Problem", premiered on YouTube. The single features vocals from rapper Scorcher, who had previously been rumoured to appear on the album. The music video for "It's A Problem" premiered on October 3, 2011. The digital package of the single was released on October 10, containing "I Like You", as well as a further new song, "Dirty Kissin'". During an interview on Lorraine
in November 2011, Kalidas confirmed that the album's third single, "A Woman Scorn", will be released in January 2012. A rough tracklisting for Kalidas' album surface on the web during this time.
In November 2011 it was revealed that Kalidas album Constant Cravings will be released under her new record management in February 2012. The singles Shimmy (Preeya Kalidas song)
and It's A Problem featuring scorcher are the two tracks confirmed. the album track listing will be released in January 2012. A third single entitled A Woman's Scorn will be released in Decemeber 2011.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
singer and actress of Indian descent
British Indian
The term British Indian refers to citizens of the United Kingdom whose ancestral roots lie in India. This includes people born in the UK who are of Indian descent, and Indian-born people who have migrated to the UK...
. She plays Amira Masood in the soap opera EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
. She returned to a career in singing, with her single "Shimmy
Shimmy (song)
"Shimmy" is a dance-pop song by Swedish singer Janet Leon from her debut solo album Janet and features vocals from rapper Tha Will. It was later covered by British singer, Preeya Kalidas. It was released as a single on July 26, 2010 by Kalidas via digital download. The song features British rapper,...
" being released in July 2010 taken from her debut album (I'm Over It) Constant Craving, was supposed to be released in September 2010, but has been postponed until March 2012 due to work commitments.
Early life
Born in IsleworthIsleworth
Isleworth is a small town of Saxon origin sited within the London Borough of Hounslow in west London, England. It lies immediately east of the town of Hounslow and west of the River Thames and its tributary the River Crane. Isleworth's original area of settlement, alongside the Thames, is known as...
, she was raised in Twickenham
Twickenham
Twickenham is a large suburban town southwest of central London. It is the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and one of the locally important district centres identified in the London Plan...
, south-west London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, the daughter of an independent financial adviser
Independent Financial Adviser
Independent Financial Advisers or IFAs are professionals who offer independent advice on financial matters to their clients and recommend suitable financial products from the whole of the market...
father, and mother who works for British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
. She started ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
classes at the age of three, and tap at five. She then trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School
Sylvia Young Theatre School
Sylvia Young Theatre School is an independent fee-paying stage school, in Westminster, London, named after its founder and Principal, Sylvia Young.-Outline:...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
She trained at Songtime Theatre Arts
Songtime Theatre Arts
Songtime Theatre Arts is a professional part time theatre arts school, operating primarily in the United Kingdom, with branches in the USA. Training is offered in singing, dancing and acting.-vanessa awards:...
.
Acting career
Kalidas first appeared on screen in the drama Googleyes. She went on to play Usha in a short film called Jump Boy in 1998, directed by Menhaj Huda and written by Harsha Patel. After a number of parts in films and on television, including East is EastEast is East (film)
East Is East is a 1999 British black comedy/drama film, written by Ayub Khan-Din and directed by Damien O'Donnell. It is set in a British household of mixed-ethnicity, with a British Pakistani father and an English mother in Salford, Lancashire, in 1971...
, Bollywood Queen, My Family and Casualty
Casualty (TV series)
Casualty, stylised as Casual+y, is a British weekly television show broadcast on BBC One, and the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world. Created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, it was first broadcast on 6 September 1986, and transmitted in the UK on BBC One. The...
, in 2002 she appeared as Monica in Gurinder Chadha
Gurinder Chadha
Gurinder Chadha , OBE, is a British film director of Indian origin. Most of her films explore the lives of Indians living in the United Kingdom. She is best known for the hit films Bhaji on the Beach , Bend It Like Beckham , Bride and Prejudice and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging...
's film Bend It Like Beckham
Bend It Like Beckham
Bend It Like Beckham is a 2002 comedy-drama film starring Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Myers, Anupam Kher, Shaznay Lewis, and Archie Panjabi first released in the United Kingdom. The film was directed by Gurinder Chadha...
. She then played the female lead Priya in the Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
-produced show Bombay Dreams
Bombay Dreams
Bombay Dreams is a Bollywood-themed musical, with music by A. R. Rahman, lyrics by Don Black and the book by Meera Syal and Thomas Meehan,and produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The London production opened in 2002 and ran for two years...
, written by A.R. Rahman, Meera Syal
Meera Syal
Meera Syal MBE is a British comedienne, writer, playwright, singer, journalist, producer and actress. She rose to prominence as one of the team that created Goodness Gracious Me and became one of the UK's best-known Indian personalities portraying Sanjeev's grandmother, Ummi, in The Kumars at No...
and Don Black. She also appeared in the BBC Television
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
series Bodies
Bodies (TV series)
Bodies is a BAFTA-nominated British television medical drama produced by Hat Trick Productions for the BBC. Created by Jed Mercurio, the series began in 2004 and is based on his book Bodies. The first series debuted on BBC Three as the channel at this time was trying to break out into hour-long...
as Dr. Maya Dutta.
In 2007, Kalidas landed the female lead in a West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
revival of Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice
Tim Rice
Sir Timothy Miles Bindon "Tim" Rice is an British lyricist and author.An Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning lyricist, Rice is best known for his collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber, with whom he wrote Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus...
's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical with lyrics by Tim Rice. The story is based on the "coat of many colors" story of Joseph from the Hebrew Bible's Book of Genesis. This was the first Lloyd Webber and Rice musical to be performed publicly...
. Appearing as the narrator, she performed with Lee Mead
Lee Mead
Lee Stephen Mead is an English musical theatre actor, best known for winning the title role in the 2007 West End revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat through the BBC reality TV casting show Any Dream Will Do...
, who won the title role of Joseph in BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
's Any Dream Will Do
Any Dream Will Do (TV series)
Any Dream Will Do, often known as 'Joseph', was a 2007 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom. It searched for a new, unknown lead to play Joseph in a West End revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.The show...
talent search series. The same year, she appeared in the multi-award-winning Channel 4 miniseries Britz
Britz (TV serial)
Britz is a two-part drama serial written and directed by BAFTA-winning director Peter Kosminsky and first screened by Channel 4 in the UK in October and November 2007....
. In 2009, Kalidas appeared in the second series of BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
's Mistresses
Mistresses (TV series)
Mistresses is a British serial drama television programme that follows the lives of four female friends and their involvement in an array of illicit and complex relationships...
, and joined EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
in April of that year as Amira Shah
Amira Shah
Amira Shah is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Preeya Kalidas. The girlfriend, and later wife, of Syed Masood , she first appeared on screen in the episode broadcast on 7 May 2009. She returned on 10 October 2011.The character was described as high maintenance,...
, the girlfriend, and later wife of Syed Masood
Syed Masood
Syed Masood is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Marc Elliott, and first appeared on screen on 21 April 2009. Syed is the eldest son of Masood Ahmed and Zainab Masood , and brother of Tamwar and Shabnam and Kamil Masood...
. In January 2010, she decided to quit EastEnders to pursue a pop career. Her final episode was broadcast on 26 April 2010. In July 2011, Kalidas revealed that she would be returning to EastEnders latter part of 2011.
Kalidas appeared in series 2, episode 7 of Green Wing
Green Wing
Green Wing is a British sitcom set in the fictional East Hampton Hospital. It was created by the same team behind the sketch show Smack the Pony, led by Victoria Pile, and stars Tamsin Greig, Stephen Mangan and Julian Rhind-Tutt....
as a newsagent, and in Hotel Babylon
Hotel Babylon
Hotel Babylon was a BBC television drama series based on the book of the same name by Imogen Edwards-Jones, that aired from 19 January 2006 to 14 August 2009, produced by independent production company Carnival Films for BBC One...
as Aisha Chaudhri, the daughter of a rich Indian hotel owner. She also appeared in the music video "Love Is Blind" by Ramzi featuring Ash King and "Lets Work it Out" by Raghav. In December 2009, she played the part of Leanne in ITV comedy drama Mister Eleven. She appeared in the 2010 Chris Morris
Chris Morris (satirist)
Christopher Morris is an English satirist, writer, director and actor. A former radio DJ, he is best known for anchoring the spoof news and current affairs television programmes The Day Today and Brass Eye, as well as his frequent engagement with controversial subject matter.In 2010 Morris...
feature film Four Lions
Four Lions
Four Lions is a 2010 British satirical comedy film. It is the debut feature from director Chris Morris, written by Morris, Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong. The film is a jihad satire following a group of homegrown Islamist terrorist jihadis from Sheffield, England.-Plot:A group of young Muslim men...
playing Sofia, the wife of main protagonist Omar (played by Riz Ahmed
Riz Ahmed
Rizwan Ahmed , also known as Riz Ahmed, the Rizmeister General, or Riz MC, is a British MC, musician and actor. He is noted for his lead performances in The Road to Guantanamo, Shifty, Britz, and Four Lions.-Ethnic background:Ahmed is a British Pakistani...
). The film was released on 7 May. She also appeared in a small role in Gurinder Chadha's latest film It's a Wonderful Afterlife
It's a Wonderful Afterlife
It's a Wonderful Afterlife is a 2010 British comedy film directed by Gurinder Chadha. The screenplay centers on an Indian mother whose obsession with marrying off her daughter leads her into the realm of serial murder. It was filmed primarily in English, with some Hindi and Punjabi dialogue...
.
Singing career
After leaving EastEndersEastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
, Kalidas began to pursue a career in music, and managed to sign a record deal with Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
. Her debut single, "Shimmy
Shimmy (song)
"Shimmy" is a dance-pop song by Swedish singer Janet Leon from her debut solo album Janet and features vocals from rapper Tha Will. It was later covered by British singer, Preeya Kalidas. It was released as a single on July 26, 2010 by Kalidas via digital download. The song features British rapper,...
", featuring Mumzy Stranger
Mumzy Stranger
Muhammad Mumith Ahmed , better known by his stage name Mumzy Stranger, is a British MC, singer-songwriter and record producer. He made his mainstream recording debut in the summer of 2009 with his debut single "One More Dance," which topped the UK Asian Charts, as did the follow-up singles,...
, was released on 26 July 2010. Kalidas appeared on several programmes including the National Lottery Results and Loose Women in promotion of the single. The single received mixed reviews, including BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
Newsround
Newsround
Newsround is a BBC children's news programme, which has run continuously since 4 April 1972, and was one of the world's first television news magazines aimed specifically at children...
, who only awarded the song three stars, giving it a negative review. Ruth Harrison from FemaleFirst stated that she 'liked the single' but is not keen on the genre of music.
Kalidas stated in an interview with Digital Spy that her album will consist of a variety of genres. She also confirmed that the album would include collaborations with Bashy
Bashy
Ashley Thomas , better known by his stage name Bashy, is an English recording artist and actor. He rose to prominence in 2007 after the release of his controversial track "Black Boys".-Early life:...
, Skepta
Skepta
Joseph Junior Adenuga , better known as Skepta, is an English rapper from London. Originally from and born to Nigerian parents he moved to London aged three....
, Schorcer
Scorcher (rapper)
Scorcher is a rapper and producer from North London.-Biography:Scorcher is a grime MC and producer from Enfield, North London. He began his career in Cold Blooded where he became known for his 'shank' bars, and would regularly attend pirate radio and work his way up through the North London grime...
, Ramzi and Mumzy Stranger
Mumzy Stranger
Muhammad Mumith Ahmed , better known by his stage name Mumzy Stranger, is a British MC, singer-songwriter and record producer. He made his mainstream recording debut in the summer of 2009 with his debut single "One More Dance," which topped the UK Asian Charts, as did the follow-up singles,...
. Kalidas' collaboration with Skepta
Skepta
Joseph Junior Adenuga , better known as Skepta, is an English rapper from London. Originally from and born to Nigerian parents he moved to London aged three....
, "Cross My Heart
Cross My Heart
Cross My Heart may refer to:*""Cross My Heart" , a 2010 song by Skepta*Cross My Heart: An Introduction to Phil Ochs, a compilation album of songs by Phil Ochs*"Cross My Heart" , a 1967 song by Phil Ochs...
", was released in October 2010 as the lead single from Skepta's second studio album, Doin' It Again
Doin' It Again
Reviews for Doin' It Again have been mixed. The Observer said "This third album is clearly a bid for international recognition, but the transition feels uncomfortable at times". The Guardian was more positive saying that Skepta had "a distinctive, authentic voice and a sharp sense of humour"...
, however, at the time of release, Kalidas firmly stated it's inclusion on her debut album.
In 2011, it was announced that due to poor sales of "Shimmy", Kalidas would no longer be releasing an album with Universal Records. However, in the same month, Kalidas was awarded the Best Female Act award at the UK Asian Music Awards
UK Asian Music Awards
The UK Asian Music Awards, also known by the abbreviation UK AMA, is an award show that is held annually in the United Kingdom since 2002. It is presented by B4U Music since 2008...
, where she performed a new song, "I Like You", alongside her debut single "Shimmy" and her collaboration with Skepta, "Cross My Heart". In July 2011, Kalidas signed a new record deal with All Around The World, a label who's artists including multi-award winning N-Dubz
N-Dubz
N-Dubz are a British hip hop group from Camden Town, London. The group consists of members Dappy, Tulisa Contostavlos and Fazer.N-Dubz were previously signed to Polydor Records before joining All Around the World Records...
and British rapper Tinchy Stryder
Tinchy Stryder
Kwasi Danquah III , better known by his pseudonyms Tinchy Stryder and Star In The Hood, is a Ghanaian British recording artist, music executive, A&R executive, and businessman...
. In September 2011, Kalidas' second single, "It's A Problem", premiered on YouTube. The single features vocals from rapper Scorcher, who had previously been rumoured to appear on the album. The music video for "It's A Problem" premiered on October 3, 2011. The digital package of the single was released on October 10, containing "I Like You", as well as a further new song, "Dirty Kissin'". During an interview on Lorraine
Lorraine Kelly
Lorraine Kelly is a Scottish television presenter, journalist and actress, best known as a presenter for TV-am, and later GMTV and ITV Breakfast, on Lorraine.-Early life:...
in November 2011, Kalidas confirmed that the album's third single, "A Woman Scorn", will be released in January 2012. A rough tracklisting for Kalidas' album surface on the web during this time.
In November 2011 it was revealed that Kalidas album Constant Cravings will be released under her new record management in February 2012. The singles Shimmy (Preeya Kalidas song)
Shimmy
A shimmy is a dance move in which the body is held still, except for the shoulders, which are alternated back and forth. When the right shoulder goes back, the left one comes forward. It may help to hold the arms out slightly bent at the elbow, and when the shoulders are moved, keep the hands in...
and It's A Problem featuring scorcher are the two tracks confirmed. the album track listing will be released in January 2012. A third single entitled A Woman's Scorn will be released in Decemeber 2011.
Discography
- "I'm Over It" (2012)