Sheetal Sheth

Sheetal Sheth () is an American actress, author, producer, and activist of Indian descent.

As an actress, she is known for starring opposite Albert Brooks in '' Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World''. She debuted in the film ''ABCD'' and has appeared in the films '' American Chai,'' '' I Can't Think Straight,'' and ''The World Unseen''.

Sheth was the first Indian American to appear in ''Maxim magazine''.Sharma, Jaya. "Simply Sheetal" She has published op-eds in CNN, ''The Daily Beast'', and '' Thrive Global''. She is also the author of a series of picture books, beginning with the book ''Always Anjali''.

Early life and education

Sheth was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and is a first-generation Gujarati Indian American. Her parents came to the United States from Gujarat, India in 1972.Melwani, Lavina. "Lethal Sheetal"

Although academics were her priority, Sheth also studied multicultural dance and was involved in basketball.Roy, Sandip. "Straddling Cultures" Her parents were devout Jains, but they enrolled Sheth in the local Catholic school, which she attended until age 12 when her family moved to Trenton.

Sheth attended Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where she was involved in student government, serving on the student advisory board. She received the student government award for her contribution to the school,"'Transcend Mediocrity,' Liberty Graduates Told", p. 3. The Morning Call. June 18, 1994 and was one of two students invited to speak at her commencement. While in high school, Sheth discovered her passion for acting and was accepted to the New York University Tisch School of the Arts.

At Tisch, Sheth studied classic literature, and some of her favorite works included ''Antigone'' and ''The Crucible''. She also trained in method acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. She spent a summer abroad in Amsterdam as part of the intensive International Theatre Workshop, studying under acting teachers such as Kristin Linklater. Sheth was selected to participate in the Tisch Scholars Program. After graduating from Tisch with honors,Song, Jenny. "Sheetal Sheth – Gorgeous and Grounded" Sheth continued her studies. In New York, she studied with Wynn Handman, a founder of The American Place Theatre. In Los Angeles, she attended weekly classes with acting instructor Milton Katselas until he died in 2008.

Career

1999–2005

Sheth made her film debut as the lead in the 1999 film ''ABCD'', starring opposite Aasif Mandvi and Faran Tahir. The film won Best Indie Feature at the Houston film festival and received critical acclaim from the likes of ''The Hollywood Reporter'' and ''Rolling Stone''. Sheth was widely praised for her performance.Thomas, Kevin. "Immigrants, Their Children Raised in America, in ''ABCD''". The Los Angeles Times. "Sheth illuminates the tempestuous Nina" Both the film and Sheth's character stirred considerable controversy. "But," Sheth responded, "that is exactly the kind of character I like to play. I want to tell the kinds of stories that people have a strong reaction to, positive or negative. It means it has touched them in some way and then I have done my job."Pasha, Kamran. "Desi Diva"

In 2001, Sheth played a dancer in '' American Chai''. The film won the Audience Award at the 2001 Slamdance Film Festival, with the ''New York Post'' describing it as a "slight but sweet film." Sheth went on to perform in a variety of roles in independent film and on network television, including the lead in the film ''Wings of Hope'', for which she won Best Actress at Cinevue Film Festival.

2005–2010

In 2005, Sheth starred as Maya opposite Albert Brooks in Brooks' film '' Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World''. Brooks conducted an extensive international search for the ideal actor to portray Maya, and says of Sheth, "Once I came across her, I watched everything that I could. I didn't care to look at anybody else…I just knew I had to put her in the film."Karn Batra, Rohit. "Getting Noticed: Sheetal Sheth", East West Woman, p. 32 The film was shot on location in Delhi and Agra, India."Sheetal's Showtime". Indian Life & Style Magazine, 2005, p. 110 Sony Pictures Entertainment originally carried the film, but Brooks parted ways with them when he refused Sony's demand to remove the word "Muslim" from the title. The film was picked up and ultimately released by Warner Independent Pictures.

Following her success in ''Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World'', Sheth appeared in the recurring role of Martina in the NBC TV series '' The Singles Table'', starring opposite Alicia Silverstone and John Cho. Six episodes were shot, but the series never aired.Schneider, Michael. "NBC's Table Gets Smaller". Variety. She also performed in the ensemble '' The Trouble With Romance'' and starred in the thriller ''First Fear'' opposite Sean Patrick Flanery.

Sheth's work brought her to the attention of the award-winning writer and director Shamim Sarif. Sheth starred opposite Lisa Ray in two lesbian themed films, '' I Can't Think Straight'' and ''The World Unseen'', both written and directed by Sarif. ''I Can't Think Straight'' won more than ten Best Feature awards at film festivals around the world. ''The World Unseen'' premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and went on to win four Best Feature awards internationally. ''The World Unseen'', which was shot on location in South Africa, also swept the 2008 South African Film and Television Awards, winning eleven SAFTA's (South Africa's equivalent to the Oscars). Sheth won three Best Actress awards for her performance in ''The World Unseen''.

2010–present

Sheth went on to perform in ''Why Am I Doing This'' and starred in ''Stalemate'' opposite Josh Randall and Burgess Jenkins, for which she was nominated for Best Actress at the 2011 Staten Island Film Festival. She guest starred in the popular television shows '' Nip/Tuck'', ''Royal Pains,'' and '' NCIS: Los Angeles'', and provided the voices for ''Sumi'' and ''Shark'' in the animated feature film '' Johnny Bravo Goes to Bollywood'', based on Cartoon Network's popular animated television series ''Johnny Bravo''.

In 2011, Sheth starred opposite Mercedes Masöhn and Angela Zahra in Three Veils, which portrays three Middle Eastern women living in the United States. Even before it was released the film sparked intense controversy, and death threats were made against those involved with the production of the film.Curiel, Jonathan. "At Arab Film Festival, a Daring Drama Features a Lesbian of Faith". KQED. ''Three Veils'' has won numerous Best Feature awards at film festivals internationally.

In 2012, Sheth continued to choose a variety of challenging roles in independent films. She starred opposite Lynn Chen and Parry Shen in ''Yes, We're Open'', a sex comedy exploring open relationships. She again paired with Chen in ''Nice Girls Crew'', which also stars Michelle Krusiec, and starred in '' The Wisdom Tree'', a film blending science fiction, new age, and mysticism. Sheth stepped behind the camera to co-produce ''Reign'', a short film dramatizing how miscommunication can lead to war. She also starred in the film, which was written and directed by Kimberly Jentzen and shot by Oscar-nominated Cinematographer Jack Green. ''Reign'' received the Award of Merit from Best Shorts.

Sheth embarked on her acting career at a time when opportunities for South Asians, particularly Indian American women, in the industry were scarce. Her experience taught her that her ethnicity would often influence casting decisions, a factor she had not anticipated given her background and perspective. Many advised her to adopt a more "American" name, and she encountered obstacles when she chose to use her own name for performances. Beyond her acting, Sheth actively supports underrepresented groups, including Asian Americans, by participating in festivals, workshops, and panels. Her advocacy addresses the challenges these communities face within the entertainment industry.Chung, Leeva; Sheth, Sheetal; Chen, Lynn; Kim, Elaine H. (2011). "Asian American Women in Hollywood and Beyond" Panel

Other projects

Sheth was selected as the spokesperson for CHI haircare products and represented Reebok's New York sneaker in their 2008 international Freestyle campaign.Reebok Freestyles – New York She was also the first Indian American to appear in ''Maxim magazine''."Girls of Maxim - Sheetal Sheth" ''CHI'' says of Sheth, "Grace, artistry, passion and the most compelling elements of every culture – that's the essence of Sheth.""In Any Language", CHI Magazine

Humanitarian causes

While at New York University, Sheth was selected to be a part of AmeriCorps, a division of the Corporation for National and Community Service created by U.S. President Bill Clinton. Through AmeriCorps, she worked at an inner-city high school, developing progressive lesson plans and activities, tutoring, and dealing with conflict resolution."I Can't Think Straight - Cast - Sheetal Sheth"

She participates in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles as a Big Sister, and also supports and promotes Women's Voices Now'','' an organization which encourage communities that are under-represented in American media, to make their voices heard.McManus, Bridget (March 31, 2011). "Interview with Sheetal Sheth".

Personal life

Sheth married Neil Mody in 2013. In June 2019, Sheth revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Awards

: Winner, Best Actress, ''Wings Of Hope'', Cinevue Film Festival, 2003
: Winner, Best Actress, ''The World Unseen'', Gran Canaria Film Festival, Spain, 2009
: Winner, Best Actress, ''The World Unseen'', Festival del Mar, Ibiza 2009
: Winner, Best Leading Performance, ''The World Unseen'', Out Takes Film Festival, Dallas 2009

Filmography

Citations

References

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External links

Official Website
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sheth, Sheetal
Living people
21st-century American actresses
Actresses from Pennsylvania
American actresses of Indian descent
American film actresses
American Jains
American people of Gujarati descent
American television actresses
American voice actresses
Liberty High School (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) alumni
People from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
People from Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Tisch School of the Arts alumni
Actresses from Trenton, New Jersey
Year of birth missing (living people)
Actors from Warren County, New Jersey