New Indian family to regular cast in ‘Neighbours’

The Kapoor family is being added to the ‘Neighbours’ regular cast from next year, despite fans saying it is “un-Australian” to cast them.

Local councillor Ajay Kapoor (Sachin Joab) has been appearing as a guest on the show since the summer, while his wife Priya (Menik Gooneratne) has also featured in the show.

The couple will become regular fixtures in early 2012 along with their teenage daughter Rani, who will be played by newcomer Coco-Jacinta Cherian.

Joab thought has hit out at a minority of ‘Neighbours’ fans who have said it is “un-Australian” to cast the new family.

‘Neighbours’ staff have since deleted several racist posts from their website, and have said ���that racism and small-mindedness won�۪t be tolerated”.

The Australian-born actor told the Herald Sun, “There is various pockets that will say it is un-Australian to have an Indian or an Indian family on Ramsay St.

“Those Aussies who are saying it is un-Australian will be the same ones who pretty much supported the White Australia policy back in the day, you are never going to get away from that kind of stuff.”