Who is Otis Dhanji?
Like everyone, it depends who you ask! But right now, I’m an actor who is lucky to be playing the role of Peter in the Australian production of Peter and the Starcatcher – a prequel to the well-known story of Peter Pan. I’ve also had the privilege of performing in several feature films and a few television productions in between studying a double degree in Maths and English at Sydney Uni.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I would like to write more. Just creatively writing. Find a way to fit it into my life as a discipline. It’s daunting and maybe a bit harder than it needs to be as I am so particular with how I want each sentence to sound. Even writing this is taking me a while. But the laboriousness is a good thing, it just turns you off sometimes. Taking an hour to describe a nearby tree in writing has got to be the antidote to taking in fifty different videos in the span of five minutes while scrolling Instagram or Tik Tok.
Who inspires you and why?
Novak Djokovic for his mental fortitude. Keith Richards for snorting his dad’s ashes. Eratosthenes of Cyrene for calculating the circumference of the earth in 240 BC. David Foster Wallace for his descriptive powers. And my younger brother inspires me every day for never getting into heavy metal.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I would love to volunteer overseas to at least slightly offset the immeasurable lottery I’ve won by being born in Australia in this time of human history.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
My friends and I spent a magical night in Porto, Portugal. We’d flown there from Paris and were to embark on a road trip down the Portuguese coast the very next day. Winding cobblestone streets, a massive bridge under renovations which we explored, and all the houses glowing golden in the fading light. Magical. We also shared our hostel room with a lunatic. He wouldn’t stop talking about conspiracy theories or his opinions on why his version of mathematics was the only true one until I played the “bruh” noise from my phone a few bunk beds over from him. Shout-out Karl, I hope you repaired your marriage.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Aside from the obvious tourist spots I’d take them to little India in Harris Park. It’s a street of classic old weatherboard houses converted into restaurants along a strip strung with an array of fantastic multi-coloured lights, street stalls and crowds of people, mostly families. You can see the Parramatta skyscrapers right around the corner, but you aren’t in the city at all, which somehow adds to the village atmosphere. Narendra Modi even certified it on his most recent visit by installing a plaque (although what you make of his endorsement is a matter of personal choice).
What are you currently reading?
The Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector. I’ve only just started today but I’m totally in. Colm Tóibín was right when he said that “Lispector had an ability to write as though no one had ever written before.” I’ve just finished Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad, which I can’t recommend. I know its Conrad and all, but I can’t help thinking he needed a more assertive editor on that one. I’m also currently in the middle of Staring at the Sun by Irvin D. Yalom which is a guide to confronting the fear of death that we all live with.
What are you currently listening to?
I approach music seriously, but I hope without taking the fun out if. With music and novels it can sometimes take work to get into them, but then it pays off massively. I’m currently working my way through each album from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Pixies and Talking Heads. Two albums I have been obsessed with over the summer are Bandwagonesque by Teenage Fanclub and Sweeter Than the Radio by Icecream Hands. They have paid me out bigtime. As for current bands? Two of my favourites are Geese and Black Country, New Road. Give them a listen if you want to hear some current innovators.
Happiness is?
Jamming with my band. Finding the perfect word. Peeling parsnip (oddly satisfying – try it). Serving up a meal for friends. A post-run swim. Finally cracking a maths problem. Acing my little bro in tennis. Family time. Bowing at the end of a show.
What does the future hold for you?
After I finish touring with Peter and the Starcatcher, I’m planning a trip to Mexico for the middle of the year. I’ve been learning Spanish for two years and I’ve been wanting to flip my life upside down for a while now. Once I’m back the focus will be the next job while working with my band (Brag – on insta as @bragtheband) – we are working towards and releasing a couple of songs towards the end of 2025. But honestly the best part of the future is all the things that are going to take me by surprise. Most of the great things that happen are just one of many improbable events that could occur. I’m looking forward to being shown what my life has never known before.
Otis stars as Peter in Peter and the Starcatcher – which plays at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from 31 January 2025. For more information, visit: www.peterandthestarcatcher.com.au for details.
Image: Otis Dhanji (supplied)