Durban actress TeKayha Sukuram is enjoying a career-defining moment after landing on both the small screen and the big screen within weeks of each other.
Sukuram currently stars in the e.tv drama series “eGagasini: Waves of Change”, while also appearing in the feature film “Sugar Cane Boy”, giving South African audiences the rare opportunity to watch her in two major productions simultaneously.
Reflecting on the milestone, the actress described the experience as both surreal and deeply rewarding.
“It’s been an incredibly surreal and rewarding moment. Acting is a career that requires a lot of patience because you often wait months, or even years, for projects to be released,” she said.
“To suddenly have audiences able to watch me on both television and in cinemas at the same time is something I never imagined. I am extremely grateful.”
While both productions showcase her talent, Sukuram said working on a television series and a feature film required different approaches.
“’eGagasini’, being a TV show, moves at a much faster pace, so you need to think quickly and be adaptable because you’re filming a large volume of scenes in a short amount of time,” she explained.
“A feature film allows a little more time to explore your character and pay attention to the finer emotional details. Experiencing both has helped me grow as an actress because each format challenges you in different ways.”
In “eGagasini: Waves of Change”, Sukuram shares the screen with seasoned performers, including Gugu Gumede and Meshack Mavuso.
She said working alongside such accomplished actors was an invaluable learning experience.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of professionalism and preparation. Watching actors with so much experience remain humble and fully committed to every scene was incredibly inspiring,” she said.
Her latest film, “Sugar Cane Boy”, is based on Rubendra Govender’s acclaimed novel, which is studied in South African schools.
Sukuram admitted that adapting such a well-loved story came with a strong sense of responsibility.
“Knowing that so many people already have a connection to the story made me want to honour the character and the novel as authentically as possible.
“I saw it as a responsibility rather than pressure because you want readers and audiences to feel that the story they’ve come to love has been treated with care and respect.”
Interestingly, Sukuram’s characters in both productions share similar backgrounds.
In “eGagasini”, she portrays Jess, a wealthy young woman accustomed to getting what she wants, while in “Sugar Cane Boy” she plays the adult Seyuri Murugappa, who also comes from an affluent family.
The actress revealed that “Sugar Cane Boy” was one of the first projects she filmed several years ago, making it rewarding to look back at her performance and recognise how much she has grown.
One of the most significant challenges during the filming of “eGagasini” was performing in an environment where much of the dialogue was spoken in isiZulu.
Although Sukuram’s character speaks English, many of her co-stars respond in isiZulu, requiring her to rely less on dialogue and more on emotional cues.
“I had to become much more aware of body language, emotion and the natural rhythm of a scene. It really challenged me to listen and react on a deeper level, and I believe it helped me grow as an actress,” she said.
The experience wasn’t entirely new. Sukuram previously travelled to Mumbai, where she appeared in two Zee TV productions filmed in Hindi.
“Working on productions in languages that aren’t your first language can certainly feel intimidating at first, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. It pushes you outside your comfort zone, strengthens your craft and reminds you that authentic storytelling goes far beyond words. At the end of the day, emotions are universal.”
As a Durban-born actress, Sukuram said seeing her work reach audiences nationwide fills her with pride.
“It’s a special feeling to know that audiences across South Africa can see my work on two significant platforms at the same time,” she said.
“I also hope my journey reminds other young people that your dreams don’t have to be limited by where you come from. If my story encourages even one aspiring actor to believe that their goals are possible, then that’s something I’m incredibly grateful for.”
Looking ahead, Sukuram hopes to continue taking on meaningful roles while expanding her career internationally.
“My goal has never been simply to build a successful career – it’s to be part of projects that leave a lasting impact and inspire others to pursue their own dreams with confidence,” she said.
