Former Neighbours actor’s anger over ‘back to India’ exit

Ex-Neighbours actor Sachin Joab says he was confused after he was told his Aussie-born character would be written out and “sent back to India”.

Former Neighbours actor Sachin Joab claims he was written out of the show by an executive producer who said his character was “being sent back to India.”

Joab played Ajay Kapoor on the popular soap, alongside Menik Gooneratne, as his wife Priya, and Coco-Jacinta Cherin as their daughter Rani.

However, Joab says the producers who hired him, Gooneratne and Cherin left the show, and the Kapoors were written out soon after.

“I don’t think I’ll unfortunately ever forget (an) executive producer telling me, ‘We’re sending Ajay & Rani back to India’,” Joab said.

“It was a double-hit for me because not only was I confused at finding out that we, as the only remaining actors of colour on the show are being written out, but ... our characters were not from India. Our characters were both born and raised in Australia.”

Sachin Joab was confused about his character’s exit from Neighbours

Joab added: “It made me wonder why they didn’t send the characters of Paul Robinson, or Toadie, or Dr Karl, or Susan ‘back’ to England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales?”

Fremantle, the show’s producer, had no comment when contacted on Sunday about Joab’s claim.

His comments follow bombshell claims of racism and homophobia levelled at the show by actors Shareena Clanton and Meyne Wyatt.

Indigenous actor Shareena Clanton alleged inappropriate behaviour on Neighbours set. Picture: Supplied

Indigenous actor Meyne Wyatt also voiced bombshell claims.

Fremantle Asia Pacific chief executive Chris Oliver-Taylor last week announced an independent review of the show to investigate the claims.

Joab said he felt “sympathy and compassion” for Clanton and Wyatt, and said their alleged experiences on the show would have been “distressing.”

Joab said Mr Oliver-Taylor “genuinely does what he can to openly discuss and create real traction to combat racism and other forms of discrimination within our screen industry.”

Fremantle said it is “committed to providing an environment where employees and others in the workplace are treated fairly and with respect, and are free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and bullying.”

Joab said he “never had an issue with Fremantle; only the executive producer who terminated the only four actors of colour on the show within our one year contracts.”