Mahesh's interest in acting, writing and even scoring has lead him to work on numerous projects in varying roles and tasks, including short and feature films, children's puppet and live theatre, radio presenting and television commercial work.
After being attracted to its themes and imagery, Mahesh felt taking on the lead role on TAJ not only gave meaning to his years of workshops, but working on set proved to be a very rewarding and challenging experience.
After shooting Taj (and we'd like to believe the strength of his performance on Taj had something to do with it!), Mahesh was signed up for Neighbours, cast as Erinsborough's newest doctor, Doug Harris. He has signed a six month contract which may be extended if the role proves popular. he started on set in late November 2009 and will appear on screens in May this year (2010). In a neat confluence of events, when Taj is released, Mahesh will no longer be an unknown actor....Go Mahesh
Coco-Jacinta Cherian - Priyanthi
Coco-Jacinta is 11 years old at Lauriston Girls School and loves acting, musical theatre, voice and instrument studies (piano and sax). She has performed with the Children’s Performing Company of Australia since 2004. Apart from being active in Lauriston productions, in 2008 she sang as young Cosette in the Old Scotch Collegian's debut OSCA's Les Miserables, and appeared as a chorister in a Newstopia TV spoof.
The role of Priyanthi, in TAJ is a magical role for Coco. In it she explores the richness of Indian themes and the Australian identity - a fascinating and touching journey.
Sachin Joab - Harish
Sachin Joab is a Graduate in Acting and has been involved in Film, TV, Stage & Street as well as Contemporary Dance and R & B Singing from the age of seven. Here in Melbourne, he has worked with contemporary Australian Film/TV directors such as Sarah Watt (My Year without Sex), Kevin Carlin (City Homicide) and Anoar Ahmed (Tala). He has spent a significant amount of time in the U.S and studied at the Herbert Berghof Studios in New York City. His vocal diversity has enabled him to perform a wide variety of roles in many accents ranging from Standard-American to South-African to Cockney-English. Coming from an intense athletic upbringing, he studied human movement which assisted him in the physicality of stage roles such as the rough & tumble Stanley Kowalski from A Streetcar Named Desire to the twisted body of Shakespeare’s Richard the Third.
Natalie O'Donnell - Arlene
Since graduating from Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts, Natalie has appeared in many musical and theatre productions both here and in the UK.Some of her highlights are:Savoy Theatre, West End - Murderous Instinct (Lauren), Cameron Mackintosh - Les Miserables (Eponine U/study) and a 'Best Female Artist in a featured role in Musical Theatre' nomination at the 2006 Green Room Awards for her role as Olive in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Melbourne Theatre Co).Her television credits include:City Homicide, Water Rats, All Saints and the made for television movie of South Pacific starring Glenn Close.She appeared alongside Nia Vardalos and Richard Dreyfuss in the romantic comedy "My Life in Ruins", released worldwide mid to late 2009 and on stage in the Production Company's "Crazy for You" in September 2009.
Rodney Van der Wall - Akram
Since Having acted for over 25 years, Rodney van der wall is a veteran to Australian film, television and theatre. Hailing from Adelaide, South Australia, Rodney made the trek across to play the role of Akram in Taj. Rodney's feature film credits include The Resident Magician, Fever, Hey Hey it's Esther Blueberger and short films including Dead End and Reaon Lies. His TV credits include McLeod's Daughters.
Mark Mitchell - Ben
Australia's gentleman of comedy Mark Mitchell brought out the darkly comic side of Taj in his role as Ben. His most famous character is Con the Fruiterer whom he played on The Comedy Company. He has also starred in some of the most successful Australian children's programs including Round the Twist, Lift Off, Genie From Down Under and played the voice of Buck Cluck in the Walt Diney film Chicken Little. Mitchell is now also the voice of Commercial Radio's advertising campaigns. His other feature credits include The Fourth Piller, Inspector Gadget 2 and TV series credits include Blue Heelers, Farscape, The Footy Show and more.
Davini Malcolm - Jennifer
Having worked in front of the camera for 23 years, Davini's film credits include Love and Mortar, Ski Legs and Evil Angels with Director Fred Schepisi. Television credits include Blue Heelers, The Secret Life of Us, Stingers, Neighbours, Flying Doctors and many more. She has also starred in 12 major commercials for companies including Myer, Mitzubishi, Safeway and others. Davini also has a penchant for theatre with roles in a number of local theatre company productions - including a Streetcar Named Desire.
Nicholas Bell - Tony
Nicholas Bell is a British Actor who has worked in Australia for more than 20 years.He has a host of film credits (including most recently, Prey) Noise, Charlotte’s web, The Caterpillar Wish, Opal Dream, Ned Kelly, The Dish, Mission: Impossible II, Shine and the list continues.His TV series credits include Stingers, Satisfaction, Newstopia, Tripping Over and The Games for which he was nominated for an AFI Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Television Drama Series.
Melanie Beddie - Jane
Playing a role opposite Mark Mitchell is one Melanie Beddie slips into easily. It's no wonder with Melanie's experience as a Director, Dramaturg and Actor. Melanie graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts - School of Drama (Acting) in 1987. Her theatre highlights include Macbeth and Hedda Gabler (MTC Education) and her televsision work includes Blue Heelers, MDA, various short independent films,and most recently the feature films Balibo (2008) and Blessed (2008).
Alison Gallagher - Melanie
Alison was in a number of theatre and musical productions at High School and during her 3 years at The University of Queensland as a Drama student. She moved to Sydney soon after graduating, and continued studying at The Actor's Centre, Sceenwise and is currently completing a 6 month Screen Acting course at NIDA and a TV Presenting course at SAFTV. In the 6 years Alison has lived in Sydney she has been involved with features "Accidents Happen" (starring Geena Davis), and "West", as well as 9 short films, 9 commercials, various forms of presenting and voice over work, several music clips, and taught afterschool drama for ages 6-9 for 3 semesters at Clovelly Public. With a variety of experience up her sleeve, Alison showed great dedication in flying from Sydney to Melbourne on multiple shoot days for her role.
Since Having acted for over 25 years, Rodney van der wall is a veteran to Australian film, television and theatre. Hailing from Adelaide, South Australia, Rodney made the trek across to play the role of Akram in Taj. Rodney's feature film credits include The Resident Magician, Fever, Hey Hey it's Esther Blueberger and short films including Dead End and Reaon Lies. His TV credits include McLeod's Daughters. 
Australia's gentleman of comedy Mark Mitchell brought out the darkly comic side of Taj in his role as Ben. His most famous character is Con the Fruiterer whom he played on The Comedy Company. He has also starred in some of the most successful Australian children's programs including Round the Twist, Lift Off, Genie From Down Under and played the voice of Buck Cluck in the Walt Diney film Chicken Little. Mitchell is now also the voice of Commercial Radio's advertising campaigns. His other feature credits include The Fourth Piller, Inspector Gadget 2 and TV series credits include Blue Heelers, Farscape, The Footy Show and more.
Having worked in front of the camera for 23 years, Davini's film credits include Love and Mortar, Ski Legs and Evil Angels with Director Fred Schepisi. Television credits include Blue Heelers, The Secret Life of Us, Stingers, Neighbours, Flying Doctors and many more. She has also starred in 12 major commercials for companies including Myer, Mitzubishi, Safeway and others. Davini also has a penchant for theatre with roles in a number of local theatre company productions - including a Streetcar Named Desire.
Playing a role opposite Mark Mitchell is one Melanie Beddie slips into easily. It's no wonder with Melanie's experience as a Director, Dramaturg and Actor. Melanie graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts - School of Drama (Acting) in 1987. Her theatre highlights include Macbeth and Hedda Gabler (MTC Education) and her televsision work includes Blue Heelers, MDA, various short independent films,and most recently the feature films Balibo (2008) and Blessed (2008).
Alison was in a number of theatre and musical productions at High School and during her 3 years at The University of Queensland as a Drama student. She moved to Sydney soon after graduating, and continued studying at The Actor's Centre, Sceenwise and is currently completing a 6 month Screen Acting course at NIDA and a TV Presenting course at SAFTV. In the 6 years Alison has lived in Sydney she has been involved with features "Accidents Happen" (starring Geena Davis), and "West", as well as 9 short films, 9 commercials, various forms of presenting and voice over work, several music clips, and taught afterschool drama for ages 6-9 for 3 semesters at Clovelly Public. With a variety of experience up her sleeve, Alison showed great dedication in flying from Sydney to Melbourne on multiple shoot days for her role. 