Chattogram’s Arka Das making a mark in Australia
Arka Das, a native of Chattogram, is making significant strides in Australia's entertainment industry.
With over a decade of experience as a writer, director, and actor in Australian television and film, he has cultivated an impressive career. From working alongside Dev Patel in "Lion" to sharing the screen with Brett Lee in "UNindian", he consistently showcases his talent both in front of and behind the camera.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Although his family moved to Australia when he was in the second grade, Arka Das maintains a deep connection to his Bangladeshi roots. His admiration for legendary Bengali writers and filmmakers like Satyajit Ray and Humayun Ahmed keeps him firmly tied to his heritage.
"My fondest memories of Bangladesh are from my early childhood. Growing up in Chittagong, I still vividly remember my neighborhood and walking home from school with my grandmother. I hold those memories close to my heart. I always strive to incorporate my heritage in as many ways as possible, wherever it feels creatively fitting. Primarily, I do this through language and characters in my projects," the actor shared.
When asked what ignited his passion for acting, he enthusiastically revealed that performing and expressing himself creatively had always brought him immense joy.
"Back in school, I was involved in bands and theater productions. However, the real inspiration struck when I saw an Indian actor in an Australian TV role—we're good friends now. That moment made me realize that acting could be a viable career path. My first film role was a small part in an Australian indie feature called "Down Under", and I recall simply auditioning for it," he said.
For South Asian actors, the struggle to prove their talent, particularly in showbiz, is often a lifelong journey. They are frequently subjected to stereotypical roles, which can limit their creative potential.
Addressing this challenge, Arka noted, "It has been, and continues to be, a challenge in many ways. Being typecast is common, but as an actor, you must find creative ways to break those molds and shift perceptions. I believe it's our responsibility to take what's on the page and build something more dynamic and engaging. That's always my goal with every role I take on. The obstacles evolve, but for me, it's about consistently pushing boundaries."
In "Lion", Das played Sami, the college friend of Dev Patel's character, while in "UNindian", he portrayed TK.
Working with Dev Patel and Brett Lee provided Das with some of his most cherished memories. As a lifelong cricket fan, he couldn't help but express his excitement about his experience with the legendary cricketer.
"I loved working with Dev on 'Lion'—it was a truly special experience. And working with Brett Lee was incredible because I'm a huge cricket enthusiast. He was a childhood hero for many of us in Australia, so getting to spend time with him and hear his stories was amazing. One of my favorite moments from that film was having my parents visit the set on a big shoot day. They got to meet Brett Lee and take pictures with him—it was a fantastic day."
Although Arka has appeared in numerous films, he has also established a strong presence in television, with roles in "Shantaram", "Bite Club", "Top of the Lake: China Girl", and "Safe Home", among others. However, he considers his role in the Australian drama "Pulse" to be one of the most demanding.
"My first significant TV role in Australia was in 'Pulse', a medical drama. It was challenging because it was my first supporting lead role, and I had to conduct extensive medical research to ensure the drama felt authentic on screen," he explained.
Arka also appeared in Disney's live-action remake of "Mulan", playing Red Fez, a character possessed by the powerful witch Xianniang (Gong Li) to infiltrate a palace taken over by Böri Khan (Jason Scott).
Beyond film, Arka has made a name for himself in theatre. His performance in "Animals Out of Paper" at Ensemble Theatre earned him a nomination for Best Newcomer at the Sydney Theatre Awards.
"Yes, I started my acting journey on stage, and I've always loved it. Theatre offers a completely different and more visceral experience compared to film and TV. I'd say the stage is where I honed the core of my skills. In fact, after eight years away, I returned to theatre in 2023 with the Sydney Theatre Company, which was incredibly exciting," he shared.
In the same year, Arka was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at Australia's Logie Awards for his role in ABC's feature film "Here Out West".
"'Here Out West' is one of the most special projects I've worked on because I was involved from the very beginning of its development and even wrote one of the film's chapters. My character, Robi, is deeply personal—he's inspired by me and my friends growing up in Western Sydney. He's a Bengali man struggling to balance family responsibilities, cultural expectations, and the challenges of growing up in a tough neighborhood. Ultimately, he becomes a savior to a dying Bengali man and his daughter," Arka explained.
Arka's anthology film "My Melbourne" was recently released in theaters across Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. In the film, he portrays Indranil, a character navigating the experiences of Australian immigrants. Directed by renowned Indian filmmakers Imtiaz Ali, Kabir Khan, Rima Das, and Onir, the movie premiered last year at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.
Currently, Arka is focused on refining the latest draft of his feature film Khana, an expansion of his award-winning short "Khana Khazana", which earned accolades at multiple film festivals.
"My short film stemmed from real-life cases of immigrant worker exploitation in Sydney, as well as stories shared by friends who had firsthand experience. I've just completed the latest draft, and we're assembling a fantastic team. Securing financing is always a challenge—especially for a debut feature—but I'm learning a lot through the process. The indie film landscape in Australia (and globally) is tough, but I firmly believe that with a strong story and the right team, it's possible to make it happen," he said.
"I'm grateful that 'Khana' has received support from Screen Australia and Screen NSW. Being invited to the Indian Film Bazaar in Goa was also an incredible opportunity—we met some amazing people there. I'm truly excited for this journey ahead," he concluded.
Comments