Don McKellar
Michael: THE CHEF

Don McKellar has had a truly varied career as an actor, a film and theatre director, and screenwriter and playwright. Recently he acted in BLINDNESS, and also adapted Jose Saramago’s Nobel Prize-­-winning novel of the same title, for director Fernando Mereilles. He and Bob Martin wrote the book for the hit Broadway musical THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, for which they won a 2006 Tony Award. He has directed two feature films: LAST NIGHT and CHILDSTAR, both of which he wrote and acted in. He was the screenwriter of ROADKILL and HIGHWAY 61, and the co-­-writer of DANCE ME OUTSIDE, all directed by Bruce McDonald. He co-­-wrote and acted in THIRTY TWO SHORT FILMS ABOUT GLENN GOULD and THE RED VIOLIN, director François Girard. Other film and TV roles include WHERE THE TRUTH LIES, director Atom Egoyan, and EXISTENZ, director David Cronenberg, and the wonderfully funny television series SLINGS AND ARROWS..

Seema Biswas
Stella: THE COOK

Seema Biswas is one of India’s most versatile actors. Her work encompasses Bollywood blockbusters as well as award-­-winning roles in serious films: most notably as the astonishingly radiant Shakuntula in Deepa Mehta’s WATER, and the riveting Phoolan Devi in BANDIT QUEEN, director Shekhar Kapoor. Both of these movies were international successes and both were surrounded by controversy. Seema won the 2007 Best Actress Genie Award for her role in WATER, and numerous international prizes for her role in BANDIT QUEEN. She recently appeared in AMAL, director Richie Mehta. She is an acclaimed theatre actor, and has won two awards for her contribution to Indian theatre. She speaks five languages, and has also appeared in Tamil movies, refusing, in her words, “to be typecast.” Her most recent movies are AASMA, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT and RED ALERT -­ THE ENEMY WITHIN.

Lisa Ray
Maya: THE DIPLOMAT

Like her character in COOKING WITH STELLA Lisa Ray is a product of mixed cultures; just like Maya, she is from an Indian-­-Polish family. Lisa grew up in Toronto and was “discovered” in India, while on vacation. She rapidly became a top model and was voted by the Times of India poll as one of the “Top Ten Most Beautiful Women of India”. One of her first film roles was in Deepa Mehta’s comedy BOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD. She spent time in London and studied at the Central Drama School and has subsequently appeared in many Canadian and international films, including WORLD UNSEEN, ALL HAT, KILL KILL FASTER FASTER, SEEKING FEAR and I CAN’T THINK STRAIGHT. Her long friendship and professional collaboration with Deepa Mehta led to her portrayal of the heartbreaking young widow Kalyani in WATER. Her role as Maya in COOKING WITH STELLA reunites Lisa with the Hamilton Mehta Productions team for the third time.

Shriya Saran
Tannu: THE NANNY

Shriya Saran began her career in music videos and as a dancer and model; her first major movie hit was in SANTHOSHAM (2002). Since then she has appeared in numerous Bollywood films. Her most famous role is alongside Rajinikanth in SHIVAJI: THE BOSS, which is the most expensive Indian movie ever made -­ after DASAVATHARAM. Shriya’s other well-­-known films are TAGORE and CHATRAPATI. Like her character Tannu in COOKING WITH STELLA Shriya was born in Haridwar. In January 2008 a fundamentalist Hindu group complained about an outfit she was wearing to promote one of her films, and she was compelled to apologize for “wearing inappropriate skimpy attire”. She is the fourth Bollywood actress to be attacked publicly, in this way.

Vansh Bhardwaj
Anthony: THE BOYFRIEND

This is the second project with Hamilton Mehta Productions for Vansh Bhardwaj. His first movie role was the volatile husband in Deepa Mehta’s 2008 film HEAVEN ON EARTH – a role that is light years away from the charming rogue Anthony in COOKING WITH STELLA. Vansh is from Punjab and has been a dedicated theatre actor, since he was 11. He has often worked with renowned thespian Neelam Mansingh Chowdry, and recently performed in a multilingual, multicultural project in Japan, directed by Chowdry.

Maury Chaykin
Canadian High Commissioner: THE AMBASSADOR

Multi Genie-­- and Gemini Award-­-winning and magnificently talented, Maury Chaykin has a vast resume of television, radio and film projects. He was born in Brooklyn, raised in New York, and has lived in Canada for most of his life. His film credits range from indie classics to mainstream Hollywood, with memorable roles in DANCES WITH WOLVES, MRS. SOFFEL, MY COUSIN VINNIE, THE SWEET HEREAFTER, and many more. He is the lead in A&E's long running, internationally successful NERO WOLFE series, and he recently appeared, alongside Don McKellar, in Fernando Mereilles’ BLINDNESS. He is also well known for his hilarious recurring role (a send-­-up of Harvey Weinstein) in the ENTOURAGE television series.

Alexiane Perreault
Zara: THE BABY

This is Alexiane’s debut role as a professional film actor. Her previous appearances (all noteworthy) have been in home movies and family videos. At the time of filming, she lived in the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi, where her mother Myriam Morin Dupras was a diplomat. She was a wonderfully cooperative, enormously insightful, and easygoing cast member. Admired and appreciated – by everyone.