05 September,2010 10:14 AM IST | | Ayesha Nair
Last week, British-Indian Archie Panjabi walked away with an Emmy in a category that was packed with famous names and crackling talent. She also walked away with praise to last her a lifetime. She talks to Sunday MiD DAY about what it felt like to stand up there on the stage, why she went from being Archana Kaur to Archie and how she has had to explain her arranged marriage to the British press
Last Sunday, television's gorgeous and talented gathered in Los Angeles to celebrate their peers at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards. There were many shocked, happy and nervous faces who got up on stage to thank those responsible for their win. None, however, were as stunned as Archie Panjabi, who won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in The Good Wife.
Archie Punjabi won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a
Drama Series at the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held in
Los Angeles on August 29, 2010
The 38 year-old British-Indian plays Kalinda Sharma, a private investigator with a complicated personal life. She makes up for this with her biting sarcasm. In interviews after her Emmy win, Panjabi proudly declared that she is an Emmy-virgin no more, and her cherry has been popped.
However, this is not her first time in the spotlight. Panjabi was seen in Bend It Like Beckham as elder sister Pinky, who's all set to have her very own Big Fat Indian Wedding. She also played Om Puri's tomboy daughter in East is East. Moving away from the comedy genre, Panjabi won The Chopard Trophy for a Breakout Performance at the Cannes Film Festival for her role as Pakistani journalist Asra Nomani in A Mighty Heart, and the Shooting Star Award at the Berlin Film Festival for her title role in Yasmin, a Simon Beaufoy-written film. She tells Sunday MiD DAY in a telephonic interview, that it's her Emmy win that has her in the mood to celebrate for now.
How did the journey to the Emmys begin?
I arrived on Friday and met the cast members. Then, I got the dress and matched it with the shoes and jewellery. It was a very relaxed and calm day. My gown (a chocolate brown off-shoulder number) was by Tadashi Shoji, the shoes were by Christian Louboutin, and the jewellery was from Chopard.
How did it end?
In the day, everything was fine even if a little rushed. I had lunch with a couple of the cast members. However, walking the Red Carpet and talking to the press, I felt a tiny bit
nervous. When my name was announced, I was in complete shock for a few seconds.
The coverage of the Emmys shows you point at someone before you accept your award.
Behind me were seated Robert and Michelle King (creators of The Good Wife). I pointed at them to thank them for giving me such a great character to play.
What goes through a winner's mind when they give their acceptance speech?
I can't speak for everybody else... I watched the footage yesterday and saw myself looking shocked. I was shaking when I was up there. I think it's a typical Indian characteristic to portray that all is good on the outside.
You celebrated your nomination by going for a Sting concert with co-star and fellow nominee Christine Baranski. How did you celebrate your win?
I was with the cast, and we went out for drinks. After that, we attended a couple of after-parties. We were out till pretty early in the morning.
Your character in The Good Wife has been said to be lesbian, even bisexual. Is it tough to not get caught in all the labels?
One of the good things about the character is that they have kept her very mysterious. There is a lot of speculation about her past. We will know in the next few episodes what her story is. It's a fun character and I don't feel she is labelled. You can't pigeonhole her. She is one of the most intriguing characters there has ever been on television.
In an industry where looks matter, are you intensely aware of your Indian looks?
For me, it has always been about the character. It's about the character first; the looks depend on it.
When you were starting out, you were afraid that there were not many film roles for Asians. Has that notion changed?
I would consider myself extremely lucky to be part of the films that I was in, even if they were small roles. But in terms of the number of roles available, I can't speak for everyone. There are more Caucasian actors out there than there are Asian.
Do you relate with the identity clash that some of your characters have portrayed?
I am as proud of being Indian, as I am to be British. Growing up, most young people have conflicts. Certain characters I have played have helped me face that conflict; like arranged marriages and being a part of a fun Indian wedding.
Why go from Archana Panjabi to Archie Panjabi?
While working in England, I was called Archie. When we had to fill forms to be part of the union, my agent filled the form with the name 'Archie'.
You have had to battle the notion that acting is a low-class profession.
My parents have been supportive of me. My mother never stopped me from achieving my dream, but insisted that I get an education. So, I studied and acted at the same time.
The press has written a lot about you agreeing to an arranged marriage (to bespoke tailor Rajesh Nihalani). Has that bothered you?
It does not bother me. The way I describe it is, like this: my mother asked me to meet someone, someone they had been good friends with for a long time. Whether it was an arranged marriage in the strict sense of the word, is debatable.
Having arrived in Hollywood, is Bollywood something you would consider?
I love India and I love Bollywood. Every time I take on a role, I am devoted to it. Right now, I am concentrating on The Good Wife. Of course, in future, Bollywood is something that I would consider.
The Good Wife is a drama on CBS starring Emmy Award-winners Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, and Archie Panjabi as Kalinda Sharma. Alicia is a woman who must assume full responsibility for her family and re-enter the workforce as a defence attorney after her husband's very public sex and political corruption scandal lands him in jail
