Getaway that gets out of hand

THE local comedy The Honeymoon, starring Kajal Bagwandeen, Tumi Morake and Minnie Dlamini, will be released on March 31 in cinemas nationwide.

The movie premiered to a select audience last week at Nu-Metro cinema at the Cornubia Mall, where the cast walked the red carpet. Among them was Durban-born Bianca Isaac, the film’s writer and director.

Bagwandeen stars as Katya ‘Kat’ Kapoor.

She jets off to Zanzibar after her fiancé cancels their wedding the night before they were scheduled to tie the knot.

What is meant to be her honeymoon turns into a fun girls getaway to an exotic island and a series of misadventures. These expose the rifts among the once-close besties, who drift away from each other by the end of their island trip.

“My character Kat is a talented fashion designer who is in love with her long-term boyfriend and partner Vivaan,” said Bagwandeen.

“There comes a point where Vivaan decides not to marry her and her world falls apart. But with the support of her friends, Kat goes on a journey of self-discovery, which helps her see things clearer.”

Bagwandeen did not only star in the movie, but was also a producer and casting director.

“This is the second film my company (Imagine Worx) is working on with Fig Jam Entertainment. It was a great experience for me.”

She runs Imagine Worx, a casting and production company, with her sisters.

Bagwandeen, who also worked with Isaac on the movie 3 Days to Go, praised her.

“As an actress, I really value Bianca’s appreciation for the art, her understanding of character and story. Aside from that, I also value her integrity, tenacity and passion as a director, producer and an entrepreneur.”

On her co-stars, Morake and Dlamini, she said: “During this shoot, we spent so much time together. We got along incredibly well, just like old friends and the chemistry translated beautifully onscreen. We have mutual respect for each other as women, as mothers and as actors and that played a big role in making things work.”

She said she was still learning to be a working mom.

“Balancing work and family is not easy. But so far, the biggest lesson is surrendering to where I am in this season of life. Since my son was born, I decided to dedicate most of my time to him and homemaking, and I’ve become more selective of my work. For now, I’ve chosen to work on projects that are my own. It is still, however, a juggling act.

Morake plays Nokuthula “Noks” Dlamini, who is struggling to find her place in media and TV.

“She finds social media tricky because she sees that no talent is needed to stay in the industry. Noks is a party girl who needs to grow up. She is what we call ‘an eternal 21-year-old’ but she is a good friend and very loyal,” said Morake.

Dlamini said: “My character Luis is a typical mom of two boys and has a loving husband. She is a very caring and unassuming character but with the help of her friends, she goes on a beautiful journey of change and relaxation. Her character has many surprises in store.”

Prev Reddy, a content creator and stand-up comedian, plays Frankie, Kat's friend and co-worker.

In a social media post, he said: “When I was in Grade 1, I did the school play. The teacher put me in the back of the stage because I had two left feet. My gran walked onto stage and pulled me to the front.

“After that night and everyday after, she would tell me ‘The only thing I want is to one day see you on the big screen. Twenty-five years later and my gran walked the red carpet with me to watch me on the big screen.

”I want to thank my friends and family for being at the Durban premiere of The Honeymoon. And most importantly to my parents, who even though they had their doubts, supported my dreams from the time I could articulate what they were. Thank you to everyone who follows me online and supports what I do.”

◆ The Honeymoon is screening in cinemas nationwide.