Priya Kapoor
| Priya Kapoor | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Neighbours character | |||||
| Portrayed by | Menik Gooneratne | ||||
| Duration | 2011–13 | ||||
| First appearance | 1 September 2011 | ||||
| Last appearance | 10 June 2013 | ||||
| Introduced by | Susan Bower | ||||
| Classification | Former; regular | ||||
| Profile | |||||
| Occupation | Principal of Erinsborough High (2012–13) | ||||
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| Husband | Ajay Kapoor (until 2013) |
|---|---|
| Daughters | Rani Kapoor |
Priya Kapoor (née Gupta) is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Menik Gooneratne. The actress, who made a guest appearance in Neighbours in 2000, was given the role of Priya in July 2011. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 1 September 2011. Three months later, it was announced Gooneratne had been promoted to the regular cast along with Sachin Joab and Coco Cherian, who play Priya's husband and daughter respectively. The Kapoor's arrival marked the show's first family with Indian and Sri Lankan heritage. They also became the first family to be introduced since 2010. Gooneratne's departure from Neighbours was announced on 12 March 2013 and she made her final screen appearance on 10 June.
Priya is a school principal, who is married to local lawyer, Ajay Kapoor (Joab). The couple married when they were young because they were expecting their daughter, Rani (Cherian). Both Priya and Ajay unintentionally put their careers before their marriage. Priya has been described as being both feisty and determined, while Gooneratne called her a high achiever and uptight. In late 2012, Priya began an affair with Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis), a man who she initially struggled to get along with. Priya enjoyed the time she spent with Paul, because it made her feel alive again. Though she felt guilty, as she loved her husband. After Ajay found out about the affair, Priya tried to fix their relationship. However, it was not until she was harassed by a member of the school board, that she and Ajay were reunited. Priya died as a result of injuries sustained in an explosion, but she reappeared to Rani as a ghost.
In July 2011, it was announced Gooneratne had joined the cast of Neighbours in the guest role of Priya Kapoor. The actress previously appeared in the show as Shanti Pandya in 2000. Gooneratne revealed that she did not have to audition for the role. She had tested for other characters months before and the producers saved her for Priya. Gooneratne made her debut screen appearance as Priya during the episode broadcast on 1 September 2011. Three months later, Daniel Kilkelly from Digital Spy reported that Gooneratne and Sachin Joab, who portrays Ajay Kapoor, would be promoted to regular cast members in early 2012. He also revealed that Coco Cherian had joined the cast as Priya and Ajay's on-screen daughter Rani.
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