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JacobRajan

  • Actor
  • Writer
Jacob-Rajan-Key-Profile.jpg

Jacob Rajan’s solo play Krishnan’s Diary was a breakout success in 1997. Through company Indian Ink, the Malaysian-born, Kiwi-raised Rajan has since co-created and starred in a series of plays with a run of sellout performances, plus awards in Edinburgh and a renowned American agent. On-screen, he has acted on Outrageous Fortune, Shortland Street, and in award-winning teleplay Fish Skin Suit.

Screenography

Good Grief
2021 - 2022 As: Stu Series
The Gulf
2019 - 2021 As: Dr Zeynep Series
Kiddets
2018 - 2020 As: Bounce Series
2016 As: Kohli Series

Biography

Since bringing his first play Krishnan’s Diary to the stage in 1997, Jacob Rajan has starred in and co-created a run of hit theatre productions.

Born in Malaysia to parents from southern India, Rajan moved down under with his family at the age of four. While doing a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology at Otago University, he began ducking lectures to join the film club, and watched many student plays. After graduating with a C- science degree, he returned to Wellington and "exploded" into creativity, taking on piano, painting, and joining a drama club. To ease his parent's worries., he also got a primary school diploma.

Awards

2013 Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)
For services to theatre

2002 Arts Foundation Laureate

“It just snowballed.”

Jacob Rajan on the success of his first play, Krishnan's Dairy