Nisha Madhan

Nisha Madhan first fell in love with drama at Auckland's Northcote College, after her family immigrated to New Zealand when she was 13. She studied Performing Arts at Unitec and worked prolifically in theatre, before making her screen debut on 'dramedy' Rude Awakenings. That year Madhan joined Shortland Street for a three year stint as Nurse Shanti — the first Indian character to be a core cast member on the soap. She has also guested on The Gulf, Filthy Rich and The Blue Rose. Madhan juggles screen roles with theatre, where she produces, directs and performs — including acting with the esteemed Indian Ink Theatre Company. 

I was away when she died [on TV] so I didn't see any of the hysteria about it. I heard little bits about the message boards going crazy. And there was a lovely person who wrote in to the TV Guide saying they should bring me back as her ghost because they thought the whole show would go downhill from there. Nisha Madhan on the death of her Shortland Street character Shanti Kumari, Thhe NZ Herald, 11 June 2010