Today, we’d like to introduce you to Saalika Khan. Saalika was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Walid Chaya.
Saalika, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was introduced to the world filmmaking through the films “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy back in 2004. I knew I wanted a job in film, specifically acting. So, I got involved with my high school theater and kept up with my pursuit throughout my time in community college and university.
I earned my degree in theatre performance but I focused more on film acting by working with the film major students and local independent films in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore area. I even joined a film and media production society at Towson University, Lambda Kappa Tau, where our goal was to make as much film as possible and provide hands-on, set production experience.
Also while in DC, I met Walid while working together on a production for the DC Fringe Festival, and now, years later, we’re both in Los Angeles and reconnected for the better.
Alright, so we’d love to learn more about your acting career. What should we know?
I feel like my acting career is still very much in its preliminary stages. So far, my work has consisted of a couple indie films and many student shorts. However, I am proud of each project I have been involved with and honored to be chosen by the people who gave me such great opportunities.
I moved to Los Angeles in 2017 because I knew that if I were to take my career seriously, I would need to be where the work was happening, especially for my specific goals: to create and seek out projects that change the narrative of Muslims and South Asians in Hollywood. I believe that telling stories from such perspectives will have an impact on the industry by showing more accurate and positive portrayals.
I have played some pretty fun roles in the past for both drama and comedy, and those are the genres I look forward to working in. I would love to act in a dramedy most of all! It was only recently in the past 4 years I have been cast as my actual ethnicity. In 2018, the first film I was cast as South Asian was for a beautiful short USC student film, by Urvashi Pathania, “Naan & Balsamic Vinaigrette”. I have been acting since 2008. Not only was that the first time acting as my ethnicity, it was my first time working with a South Asian filmmaker.
Unfortunately, back home in Maryland, I did not have exposure to any South Asians, or even Muslims, in the arts such as theatre and film. I was the only one active in those fields for a very long time. I remember my first audition in Los Angeles, it was September 2017, I was called in for an audition for a South Asian female at a USC student film.
When I arrived, I was in a sitting room with at least 10 South Asian women! I remember getting emotional because I have never been in that scenario before! I was so happy! I was talking to everyone and telling each woman, “I hope you get the part!”, even though I got strange looks. Even though I did not get the part, I was just so ecstatic that I was in a room full of fellow South Asian actors. Seeing that gave me hope and it told me that I was in the right place. I cannot wait for more opportunities.
I have met more South Asian, West Asian, North African, and Muslim filmmakers and actors since moving to LA and I am determined to get something amazing made. I want our stories to be told. I want my stories told! I am currently in rehearsal for a play for She L.A. Arts Summer Theater Festival called, “Bismillah, or In The Name of God”. It shows July 12 at 7:30pm and July 15 at 2:30pm at the Zephyr Theatre in West Hollywood. Please come out and support your local theatre arts and playwrights! It is about an Iranian Muslim family coming to terms with a homosexual family member. I have the honor of playing the lead, Bahar. I am so excited to be a part of such a unique story and wonderful cast and crew.
As for my own work, I am currently writing a script and hoping to direct a short film next year! What I love most about acting is the hands-on learning experience. I am neurodivergent and need to be physically involved with my creative work otherwise I struggle with productivity. With acting, I am working alongside other actors and the director, getting instruction right in front of me! I feel the most creatively stimulated.
So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Walid Chaya and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with Walid.
I met Walid right after I graduated with my acting degree! We were working on an original musical for D.C. Fringe Festival. He was the choreographer and I was one of the actors. I definitely felt a partnership early on because we bonded over not knowing other MENASA in our artistic fields and being children of immigrants.
I admire Walid so much, especially now more than ever because he is using his platform to uplift other actors who want to grow their careers and make a name for themselves. Walid is selfless and supportive to his community. I deeply appreciate that he uses his knowledge of the industry and his business savvy to help guide the rest of us growing artist’s find our paths, because very few people adequately teach creatives the business side of things. We are often thrown into the deep end with few or no tools to help us swim.
When I moved to LA, I only happened upon Walid’s studio by chance and it felt like it was meant to be. We were reunited and I had a feeling that I wasn’t so alone in LA anymore. I learned that Walid’s studio held not just master classes for actors but he had a unique showcase for MENASA actors! This is the kind of initiative Hollywood terribly needs!
I had the opportunity to be in the MENASA showcase twice and on the second time, I was discovered by DDO Artists Agency and they offered me representation. Through this studio’s diversity programs and Walid’s support, I was able to show what I was capable of and it worked out!
And thanks to Studio for Performing Arts LA, I have also met other talented artists that I am learning and growing from. Walid and his studio attracts such hardworking artists and that is the kind of community I want to surround myself with here in LA.
Website: https://www.saalikafilm.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saalika.khan/
Image Credits
Kara Barbes Kat Contreras Naan & Balsamic Vinaigrette (Dir. Urvashi Pathania) Holy Ground (Dir. Danielle Gibson) Effigy (Dir. Matthew Friend) Bravado Manifesto (Dir. Jon Santana)
