About Me
Current Location: Toronto, Canada
Ajinkya (AJ) studied the authentic Meisner Acting Technique from the acting conservatory Playhouse West Philadelphia under the tutelage of Tony Savant and Ed Aristone.
While training at Playhouse West he played the role of Carlo in the world premiere of the play, “All in a Day’s Work (2021)”, directed by Tony Savant. During his training, AJ wrote, produced, and acted in American Dream (2023), Love Language (2022), Time Bound (2022), and Fickle (2021) and worked on numerous other short films written and produced by fellow students.
He graduated from Playhouse West in September 2023 winning the Best Actor - American Dream and the prestigious Edward William Wasser Award - Most Promising New Filmmaker at the Playhouse West Philadelphia Film Festival (2023).
After graduating from Playhouse West, AJ moved to Toronto in October 2023 to continue his work as an actor and filmmaker.
Telling stories that empower the audience is AJ's passion. He prioritizes professionalism and works diligently to hone his love for storytelling. AJ strives to represent strong characters in Film, TV, and Theater to serve the global audience.
FROM STEREOTYPED TO STORYTELLER
My passion for acting was shaped by my life experiences of overcoming language and cultural barriers. Growing up in Mumbai, English proficiency was a mark of social status. I only spoke my native language, Marathi, and was mocked for my country accent.
When I finally had the opportunity to learn English and move to the United States, I was overjoyed! But upon arriving, I was dismayed to find that I could not communicate effectively. Acting is what finally granted me the cultural immersion and confidence I needed to become proficient in English and connect with people on a deeper level. Acting taught me the universal language of emotion and quickly became my passion.
But the more I watched American films, the more frustrated I became with the rampant stereotypes and misrepresentations of South Asian characters...like the bad-in-bed, awkward nerd, or the comic relief caricature.
My mission is to break through these outdated and offensive stereotypes and increase the representation of strong brown characters in the media. I want to share the stories of my culture in a way that resonates with people worldwide. Join me on my mission to give voice to Indian excellence and inspire audiences around the world!
