GUESS WHERE THIS TELEVISION STAR WILL BE ON VALENTINE’S DAY

Praneet Akilla stars as Gil Bobbsey, one half of the modern-day version of the Bobbsey Twins in The CW’s hit television series Nancy Drew in the new season that premiered on January 20.

The Bobbsey Twins, Gil and his sister Amanda, are the principal characters of what was, for many years, the longest-running series of American children’s novels. First appearing in 1904, they appeared in more than 100 books until 1992, solving mysteries in order to survive.

Praneet is most well known for his breakout role as Philip Mishra in the 2020 Netflix Original fantasy/horror series October Faction. Born in Mumbai and raised in Calgary, Praneet discovered his love for storytelling and performance art at a young age after years of training in Indian classical music, watching movies, and making short films with his neighbourhood friends. He was cast as Aladdin in his middle school musical and then  in other musical theatre shows and plays throughout high school. Although  Praneet went on to pursue a Chemical Engineering degree at McGill University, he always had one foot in the arts. While working as an engineering intern in the summers, he would act in community theatre productions or be the lead actor in features from local producers. One of those films, Jewel Fools, premiered at the 2014 at the Calgary International Film Festival with screenings in Toronto/Vancouver to rave reviews. Praneet then decided to follow his passion and pursue acting full-time.

As a writer and producer, his mandate is to create dark comedies with BIPOC protagonists and a humanistic perspective with sometimes a supernatural or sci-fi twist.

He will be performing in the ancient Indian mythology epic Mahabharata at the Shaw Theatre Festival in 2022.

Outside of acting, Praneet enjoys recreational sports such as ice/ball hockey, is an avid reader and writer and has a love for musical theatre and singing.

He supports causes close to his heart including his local food banks and Plan International’s Because I am a Girl program.

Desi News readers first met Praneet in May 2020. This includes excerpts from that feature.

Name: Praneet Akilla. Loosely translated from Sanskrit, Praneet means Pure.

Currently: I’m a former chemical engineer turned actor and producer.

Favourite colour: Green.

Favourite outfit/designer:  I like to be comfortably stylish, so typically, jean joggers with a sweater and New Balance sneakers. I love UniQlo and Calvin Klein.

Favourite Bollywood star:  Ranveer Singh.

Favourite Hollywood star:  Jake Gyllenhaal.

Favourite movie: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Favourite singers: Sonu Nigam and John Mayer.

Favourite songs:  Yesterday by the Beatles and Nahin Samne from Taal.

Favourite TV show: Breaking Bad.

Favourite ice-cream flavour:  Vanilla.

Favourite cuisine: Indian or Italian.

Favourite restaurant:  Nobu in L.A.

Favourite sports: Ice hockey and football.

Favourite sportsperson: Roger Federer.

Favourite book:  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (a classic).

Favourite activities:  Reading, writing and storytelling. I make lots of web series and short films with my friends who work as producers/directors in the film industry.

I hang out:  With my cast mates, friends, and family. Usually we somehow end up playing charades. Every. Single. Time.

I’m freaked out by: The unknown unknowns? I like to control everything but I’m learning to just surrender to the universe sometimes.

I need: To tell stories that have social outreach and impact. I will. That’s the goal in the next few years. 

I want to be:  A person who loves endlessly and can be counted on to help those who need it.

My role models: My parents and peers. Their courage, persistence, and positivity despite consistent hardship is inspiring.

Tips to save the planet: Invest in technology and engineers who are removing plastics from our oceans. Invest in renewable energy with a creative, responsible transition from our dependency on fossil fuels.

In a perfect world: There would be no animosity. Only understanding and the ability to argue without leading to violence.

For Valentine’s day: I will be staying indoors with my girlfriend due to the lockdown and doing my part in keeping the case count as low as possible. I’ll cook dinner and we will snuggle up afterwards and have a Lord of the Rings marathon with all sorts of snacks and my guilty pleasure, Oreo ice cream.