Kiren Jogi, Artistic Director of Curl Girl Theatre Production, initially planned to become a child psychologist until attending a Bollywood concert inspired her to pursue acting. A graduate in Drama from the University of Aberystwyth, Kiren has been deeply immersed in theatre and the arts since graduating.
She began her writing journey in 2006 with ‘Kaali’, honing her craft before contributing to the ‘BBCD’ column for ‘Aftershock’ in Mumbai. Her published works include ‘Noxious Emancipation’ (Grey Oak Publishers) and ‘936 Hours with Sampad’ in Birmingham, as well as ‘Sub Rosa’ with the National Trust. Recently, she completed ‘The Valley of Queens’, a stage play commissioned by Creative Black Country, where she served as Creative Associate for Sandwell.
Early in her career, Kiren worked with Yash Raj Films, contributing to hit Bollywood movies like ‘Ghajani’ and ‘Murder 2’. Her role as Ruchika in the award-winning TV show ‘rishta.com’ earned widespread acclaim and multiple award nominations at the Indian Television Awards.
In an interview with Asian Voice, Kiren shares insights into establishing Curl Girl Theatre Production, the evolving landscape of South Asian representation in the global entertainment industry, and more.
1) What inspired you to establish Curl Girl Theatre Production, and what is the significance behind the name?
When I moved to Birmingham as a young mother, I quickly realized there were very few opportunities for actors of colour, and the roles that did exist rarely matched the kind of parts I wanted to pursue. That’s when I decided to create ‘Curl Girl Theatre Production’ – not just to create opportunities for myself but to support other creatives from South Asian backgrounds. Touring and travelling as an actor became challenging with young children, so ‘Curl Girl’ became my way of staying connected to my creative passion. Plus, having been known for my curly locks, I felt the name was a perfect fit!
2) Growing up, were there particular South Asian stories, films, or cultural traditions that shaped your creative vision?
I’m a hardcore Punjabi – we love drama, but I’ve always wanted to avoid stereotypical portrayals. Often, we’re cast in one-dimensional comic roles that lack depth or truth. Through Curl Girl Theatre Production, I aim to challenge these stereotypes and bring authenticity to the stage. Characters like Nimi in ‘A Marriage Proposal’ – which sold out during its last run – and Manjinder in ‘The Valley of Queens’ are full of soul, allowing actors to truly connect with the audience and explore meaningful performances. As an actress, I struggled to find roles that allowed me to showcase my talent, portray strong, resilient, and empowering women, and tell stories that are women-centric. Creating these roles has not only allowed me to fulfill my creative vision but also opened doors for other talented actors to find similar opportunities.
3) What changes have you noticed in the global entertainment industry regarding South Asian representation, and what more do you think needs to be done?
Things are definitely changing, but I believe we still need to create more opportunities. While South Asian women are stepping into leadership roles and representation is starting to emerge, are we truly being represented? Growing up, I had no role models who looked like me. What I did see were portrayals that ridiculed or mocked South Asian culture, often in comedy sketches that reinforced harmful stereotypes. Not all of us speak with an accent, eat curry every day, or stock up on discounted toilet rolls. If you have the opportunity to represent people like me, I urge you to consider the impact of the stories and images you put out into the world. Representation matters, and it should be authentic.
4) What message do you hope to convey to the next generation of South Asian artists through your work and through Curl Girl Theatre?
Through Curl Girl, I aim to represent our community authentically, celebrating the legacy our parents and grandparents built to allow us to dream and thrive. While I’ve worked in film, television, and theatre, the most fulfilling work has been connecting with our communities, listening to untold stories that risk being lost. I’ve heard Shakespeare and Laila Majnu, but now I want to amplify the voices of real people—stories our audiences are eager to hear, supported by box office feedback and sales.
We believe in working ‘local’. The Midlands is a hub of ethnic diversity, yet opportunities for creatives of colour are still scarce. Why should we have to move to London for work? Curl Girl wants to create a platform that champions local talent while embracing language and heritage. Our mother tongue is poetic and deserves a stage. ‘A Marriage Proposal’ was performed in Hindi and English, attracting 40% white audiences who joyfully danced to our desi beats at the end of the show. I’m excited to continue this journey of representation, creativity, and connection.
