2021
CAPTURING FREEDOM
@ The Capture Site Kwazulu Natal
2020
2020
Queen Sono- First African Original Netflix
Vaneshran plays Ulrich, spy and tactical mentor and friend to Shandu
Speak The Word
music and lyrics by Vaneshran
2019
a moving, multicultural feast that weaved a story of two men and one shared love in New York. There was tension, conflict, and yet above all brotherhood. Everything was told through a medley of crisp song and sprightly movement, a sharing of tones through the textures of a steel-string guitar and a nylon-string guitar. Every moment of the performance was well orchestrated to achieve maximum effect. There was Indian chanting and yoga-like rhythms along with light shared from one man to another. Words consisted of texts from Shakespeare to popular songs. The audience was engaged in part of the performance, and everyone I spoke to afterward confirmed having a deeply satisfying experience. I know I did. - Professor Gregory Tague, St Francis College
Songs Of Storymen - Johannesburg
By Vaneshran Arumugam
2018
Alpha
Collaborating Artist and performer. Multimedia, multi-genre installation that brought together talents from Holland, Belgium, USA and South Africa for the Vrystaat Festival, 2018, Bloemfontein
2016
The story of Shakespeare’s works smuggled onto Robben Island and circulating amongst the top political prisoners there including Mandela and Sisulu and becoming part of South Africa’s story of Freedom. V conceived, produced and performs the lead role of Sunny Venkatratnam
The Last Face
with Charlize Theron & Sean Penn
LADY GREY
French/Belgian /SA co -production. Vaneshran plays Kapoor, owner of the town’s store.
2015
Mill Sessions
Produced and directed Steve Newman, making a special appearance with Poetry and Harmonica
Dominion
SyFy Channel plays Pearson, not a nice guy
Urban Death
Physical theatre style unlike anything Cape Town audiences have seen before
Producer.
Vaneshran with daughter Kaliya (15yrs old)
2014
2013
Producer, writer, lead actor.
2013
The Gathering (NYC)
Maroney Theatre, Brooklyn, NYC
Vaneshran Arumugam in Performance at the Ford Foundation, New York City
2012
Tshihumbudzo: Our Story, Our future
In 2012, Vaneshran joined South Africa’s major Performing talents in Music, Dance and Theatre to celebrate the South African Story of Liberation and the ANC’s 100th birthday. Stars included the late Nomhle Nkonyeni and Ray Phiri, Vusi Mahlasela, Judith Sepuma, Simphiwe Dana, Vuyani Dance Theatre, Karen Zoid, Victor Masondo and Khaya Mahlangu and many more.
2011
Midsummer Nights Dream
All in One
Fugard Theatre
Producer, Director
90 Plein Street III
Vaneshran plays Leslie, bodyguard love interest to the President
2010
Interrupting Henry
2009
Leonardo
2008
Othello
2008
Cissie
Cissie`s story is a way to think through the struggle for memory and history in South Africa. Through monologue, shadow and poetry, the lost world of Cissie`s home, District Six, is recreated and, with it, the terrible poignancy of today`s empty landscape. Vaneshran Arumugam’s performance confirms why he is one of the country’s most talented actors.
2007
Pondo Bicycle
2008
I now pronounce you Black and White
2006
First Black Hamlet at Stratford-upon-Avon
Vaneshran Arumugam is a quite magnificent Hamlet. In the opening scenes he is distanced, withdrawn, underpowered. So much so, you wonder what’s going on. He doesn’t allow us in. Then, as the drama unfolds, so he winds up; as he becomes angrier so he becomes more vulnerable. This muscular and physical actor becomes bigger, embracing us in his frustration. His physicality is conscious but never self-conscious; it’s wonderfully contained and poised. The Hamlet tellingly interrupts his Tai Chi to ponder the question – to be or not to be? I swear there were often real sparks flying around the acting space - Reviewsgate 04/05/2006
Michael Billington review of Hamlet 2006
Top Pick of Hamlets through the last 45 decades
Hamlet
Imagine... being Hamlet
(BBC Series)
2005
Jesus Hopped the A Train
Angel Cruz, Puerto Rican New Yorker on Riker’s Island
2004
Antigone
In a new version - raw, colloquial, yet poetic - written especially for this South African début, international award-winning director Sean Mathias directs John Kani and Vaneshran Arumugam in a production that is modernist and encompasses many elements of a third-millennium life in a third-world country. It is a potent and visceral experience that should appeal to a contemporary audience universally
Gums & Noses
Vaneshran plays Martin opposite longtime friend, Antony Coleman
2001 - 2006
SOS
etv
1997
Streaks
First Indian lead character on SA TV. SABC1 Vaneshran plays Mac, hairdresser apprentice
1998
Suburban Bliss II & III
SABC 3. V stars as accountant, Pravin