Shobna’s on the sunny side of the street

Shobna Gulati

CORRIE AT 50:

We celebrate the 50th anniversary of Corrie with a series some of the show;’s favourite local stars

SUNITA Alahan has suffered her fair share of tragedy during her nine years on the street.

The 44-year-old, who went to Hulme Grammar School, joined the cast in 2001 as viewers saw Sunita flee an arranged marriage.

She has jilted prospective husband Ciaran Murphy at the altar, developed a pituitary tumour and suffered a life-threatening aneurysm, been held captive in a burning shop by a love rival, had two children, left the Street then returned to it, and much more.

But the future is rosy for Oldham actress Shobna Gulati, who plays the long-suffering character.

As well as her long-running stint on the street, Shobna has starred in many TV shows — especially as the endearingly dotty kitche worker in Victoria Wood’s “dinnerladies”.

In 2007 she was in Channel Four documentary “Empire’s Children” which featured scenes filmed around Oldham, appeared in the BAFTA-winning short film “Shadowscan” and won an award for her performance in “Dancing Within Walls” at Manchester’s Contact Theatre.

The multi-talented actress has a degree in Arabic and Middle-Eastern politics, speaks six languages and is a vocal campaigner of Asian women’s rights and various anti-racism campaigns.

She has stuck close to her Shaw roots and is a strong supporter of local theatre group Peshkar Productions.


The full version of this edited article is available with pictures in tonight’s Evening Chronicle and in the E-Chron online (subscription required).