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Avantika (actress)

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Avantika Vandanapu
Born (2005-01-25) January 25, 2005 (age 19)
Union City, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationColumbia University
OccupationActress
Years active2015–present
Websiteiamavantika.com

Avantika Vandanapu (born January 25, 2005),[1][2] known mononymously as Avantika, is an American actress and singer of Indian descent. She began her career with the 2016 Telugu film Brahmotsavam and later took on several other projects within Telugu cinema.

She then transitioned to American cinema and had her first lead role in the Disney Channel original movie Spin (2021) and subsequently starred in Netflix’s Senior Year (2022). A turning point in her career came with supporting roles in the musical comedy Mean Girls and the horror film Tarot (both 2024).

Early and personal life

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Avantika Vandanapu was born to an Indian Telugu family in Union City, California, part of the San Francisco Bay Area.[3][4] Her family originally hails from Hyderabad in India before they emigrated to the United States. She took drama lessons at the American Conservatory Theater.[5]

Avantika currently resides in New York City.[6] She attends Columbia University as a member of the class of 2027.[6][7]

Career

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Early work in Indian cinema (2014-2016)

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In 2014, Avantika won second place in the Zee TV dance competition reality series Dance India Dance L'il Masters (North America Edition).[8]

Avantika entered Telugu cinema in 2015 and was signed for two movies. She was selected to play the role of Chutki in 14 Reels Entertainment's Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha (2016), however, scheduling conflicts forced her to leave during production. Avantika officially debuted as a child artist in Brahmotsavam (2016) starring Mahesh Babu. She then appeared in Chandra Shekhar Yeleti's film Manamantha. Later, she signed on for Premam starring Naga Chaitanya and Shruti Hassan, in which she portrayed the younger version of Madonna Sebastian's character.[9] Avantika revealed that the key reason for her departure from Telugu cinema was the lack of variety in the roles she was offered which mainly consisted of playing the "heroine" or a "small supporting role".[10]

Transition to American cinema (2021-)

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In 2021, Avantika debuted in Hollywood by playing the lead role of Rhea Kumar in the Disney Channel Original Movie, Spin alongside Meera Syal, Abhay Deol and Aryan Simhadri.[11] The film, along with her performance, received a positive feedback from Udita Jhunjhunwala of Firstpost who described her as a "delight'' and praising "[her] sparkling eyes, [as] she glides through the restaurant with as much ease as she finds her groove behind the mixing console".[12] She followed this with supporting roles in the unremarkable Netflix original films Moxie and Senior Year (2022).[13]

In 2024, Avantika portrayed Karen Shetty in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Mean Girls, based on the 2004 movie of the same name.[14] She had to take a "temporary leave of absence" from university to accommodate the timings required for shooting.[15] The film received mixed reviews from critics, however, her performance was well-received.[16] Discussing the change in Karen's ethnicity from the original film, Avantika expressed how "playing that kind of character, especially as an Indian American woman is really, really crazy," adding that she was "excited to finally play a South Asian character that wasn’t reduced to being a stereotype".[17] Writing for The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw commended Avantika as the standout "amongst the mean girls".[18] The Times of India noted that the role helped to establish her presence in American cinema.[19]

She returned to Indian projects with the Amazon Prime series Big Girls Don't Cry as a closeted lesbian who struggles to retain her basketball captaincy whilst coming to terms with her sexuality.[20] In a mixed review for Film Companion, Rahul Desai criticised that the number of characters in the series made it difficult to maintain focus to the nuances of each one's storyline but praised the chemistry and performances of the cast.[21] The following month, Avantika appeared amongst an ensemble in the Anna Halberg and Spenser Cohen-helmed horror film Tarot.[22] Her decision to take on the role was influenced by her mother's belief in astrology, rooted in their Hindu faith, and her own interest in the occult during her youth as the film amalgamated the two.[23] The film was panned by critics;[24] in her review for Collider, Emma Kiely thought that Avantika's performance had been constrained as she "isn't given enough to do" and compared it unfavourably to her performance in Mean Girls.[25] Made on a shoestring-budget, the film emerged as a major commercial success.[26]

Avantika is set to headline the Disney+ original series A Crown of Wishes, based on the 2017 novel of the same name and star alongside Maddie Ziegler in the thriller film Ballerina Overdrive.[27][28]

Filmography

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Film

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Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Role Notes Ref.
2016 Brahmotsavam Babu's cousin [29]
Manamantha Swathi [30]
Premam Young Sindhu [29]
2017 Rarandoi Veduka Chudham Young Bhramarambha
Balakrishnudu Young Aadhya
Oxygen Herself
2018 Agnyaathavaasi Sampath's daughter [29]
2021 Spin Rhea Kumar [31]
Boomika Boomika Tamil film [32]
Moxie Chem Class Girl Credited as Avantika Vandanapu [33]
2022 Senior Year Janet Singh [34]
2024 Mean Girls Karen Shetty [14]
Tarot Paige [22]
TBA style="background: #FFD; color:black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: left; " class="partial table-partial"|Ballerina Overdrive † TBA Filming [35]

Television

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Key
† Denotes series that have not yet been released
Year Series Role Notes Ref.
2014 Dance India Dance L'il Masters (North America Edition) Herself Contestant
2018 The Talent Show [36]
2019 Mickey Mouse Mixed-Up Adventures Sareena Tapoor, additional voice Recurring voice role
2020 Diary of a Future President Monyca Recurring role (season one)
Mira, Royal Detective Kamala Recurring voice role
2022 The Sex Lives of College Girls Priya Guest role
2023 Hell's Kitchen Herself Guest diner/Teen Cancer America contributor; Episode: A Hellish Food Fight
2024 Big Girls Don’t Cry Ludo [37]
TBA A Crown of Wishes† Princess Gauri Main cast; also executive producer [38]

References

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  1. ^ Simamora, Diana Aprilia (August 31, 2022). "Analysis of Three Dimensions of Characters in a Teenager Movie: Mean Girls". Humanis. 26 (3): 207. doi:10.24843/jh.2022.v26.i03.p01. ISSN 2302-920X.
  2. ^ "Avantika". Avantika. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  3. ^ Jhunjhunwala, Udita (August 18, 2021). "Spin actor Avantika on Disney Channel film being a win for South Asian community, her acting icons, and career aspirations". Firstpost. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  4. ^ Kalanidhi, Manju Latha (August 22, 2021). "Girl on fire: Telugu ammayi from LA Avantika Vandanapu hailed as breakout star of Disney's 'Spin'". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021.
  5. ^ Belle, Nithin (August 28, 2021). "Dubai is favourite city for Indian-American showbiz star Avantika Vandanapu". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on August 28, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Get in, loser. A brown Mean Girl is here". Vogue India. January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  7. ^ Shaw, Rachel. "She doesn't even go here!... Oh wait, she does: Meet Avantika Vandanapu from 'Mean Girls'". Columbia Daily Spectator. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  8. ^ "Avantika Vandanapu from Union City was selected as one of the top ten finalists out of more than 10,000 contestants". Tri-City Voice. August 13, 2014. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015.
  9. ^ "Avantika Vandanapu Indian American Actress | Tollywood to Hollywood". The Global Indian. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  10. ^ ""Mahesh Babu is down to earth, great actor": Avantika Vandanapu". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  11. ^ "Spin movie review: Avantika Vandanapu, Abhay Deol film is a welcome deviation from typical high school flicks". www.msn.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  12. ^ "Spin movie review: Avantika Vandanapu, Abhay Deol film is a welcome deviation from typical high school flicks". Firstpost. August 16, 2021. Archived from the original on August 19, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  13. ^ Jackson, Angelique (July 16, 2021). "Jade Bender, Michael Cimino, Jeremy Ray Taylor and Avantika Join Paramount Players' 'Senior Year'(EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Grobar, Matt (February 8, 2023). "'Mean Girls': Avantika, Christopher Briney & Bebe Wood Board Paramount Film Based On Tony-Nominated Musical Adaptation". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023.
  15. ^ Ray, Chandreyee (April 8, 2024). ""It's a shock for any brown parent": 'Mean Girls' actress Avantika Vandanapu on the driving forces behind her rise to stardom". Vogue Singapore. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  16. ^ Edwards, Chris (January 12, 2024). "'Mean Girls' musical reboot described as "snappy" yet "culturally irrelevant" in mixed reviews". NME. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  17. ^ Kulkarni, Bhargavi (February 4, 2024). "The Desi Mean Girl: A Conversation With Avantika Vandanapu Who Breaks Stereotypes in the New Version of Iconic Film". American Kahani. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  18. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (January 10, 2024). "Mean Girls review – high-school sadism comedy as sugar-rush movie musical". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  19. ^ "From child actor to global star: Avantika Vandanapu is on a roll". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  20. ^ "School Series BGDC To Release On OTT On THIS Date. Watch". TimesNow. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  21. ^ @iamavantika (January 24, 2021). "literally could not come up with an innovative caption to communicate that i have aged one more year! but enjoy the unnecessary life update :))". Retrieved July 10, 2022 – via Instagram.
  22. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (June 28, 2022). "Jacob Batalon, Alana Boden, Adain Bradley and Avantika To Star In Screen Gems' 'Horrorscope'". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  23. ^ Morrow, Brendan. "Avantika talks 'Tarot' and that racist 'Tangled' backlash: 'Media literacy is a dying art'". USA Today. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  24. ^ "Tarot". Metacritic. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  25. ^ Kiely, Emma (May 2, 2024). "'Tarot' Review: A Surprisingly Scary But Ultimately Forgettable PG-13 Horror". Collider. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  26. ^ Lammers, Tim. "'Tarot' Movie Makes Debut On Digital Streaming". Forbes. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  27. ^ Gomez, Dessi (August 28, 2024). "Everything We Know About 'Ballerina Overdrive' So Far". Deadline. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  28. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 3, 2022). "Avantika To Headline 'A Crown Of Wishes' Fantasy Series In Works At Disney Branded TV For Disney+". Deadline. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  29. ^ a b c "From 'Brahmotsavam' to 'Mean Girls': Avantika Vandanapu is the talk of the town". The Hindu. January 17, 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  30. ^ "Amazing that Indian women are able to shine their light in Hollywood: 'Mean Girls' actor Avantika". The New Indian Express. March 4, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  31. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Avantika Vandanapu on her Disney movie SPIN & why her Desi family covers the remote with plastic". Pinkvilla. August 14, 2021. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  32. ^ "Aishwarya Rajesh starrer Boomika promises to be a gripping horror movie". The Indian Express. August 10, 2021. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  33. ^ Bruce, Amanda (September 17, 2024). "Avantika: 10 Best Movies & TV Shows". ScreenRant. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  34. ^ "Girl on fire: Telugu ammayi from LA Avantika Vandanapu hailed as breakout star of Disney's 'Spin'". The New Indian Express. August 21, 2021. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  35. ^ Maddie Ziegler & Avantika Cast In ‘Ballerina Overdrive’ From 87North & Gulfstream Pictures
  36. ^ "Watch The Talent Show S1:E4 Final Group Auditions". therokuchannel.roku.com. August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  37. ^ "Watch the trailer of 'Big Girls Don't Cry,' Prime Video's upcoming Original series". IN About Amazon. March 6, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  38. ^ Gomez, Dessi (March 8, 2024). "'Mean Girls' 2024 Cast and Character Guide: Who Plays Who?". thewarp.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
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