Anna Khaja – Quantico

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects you are working on?

A) Last month I worked on a movie called Breakable You with Holly Hunter and Tony Shalhoub. And I have a one-woman show called Shaheed (which ran Off-Broadway) that I’ll be taking to Europe next year!

Q) We saw you as Alex Parrish’s mother recently on “Quantico.” Does she truly think Alex is guilty or is merely trying to pacify Liam O’Connor?

A) I like to believe the best about every character I play so that I can humanize them. I’d like to think Sita believes that she is helping Alex (Priyanka Chopra) by going public about things. You’ll have to keep watching to find out if I’m right.

Q) Alex and her mother share a dark experience from their past. Is Sita aware that Alex tells people Alex shot her father? If so, why does Sita allow Alex to take the blame?

A) I don’t think Sita knows that Alex has been divulging secrets about her past. I think she is in protective mamma bear mode.

Q) We have also seen you on new s how “Stitchers.” How was your character Getti originally described to you? Was there anything you added to your role that wasn’t originally scripted for you? 

A) It all starts with the writing!  When I first read the scenes from “Stitchers,” I could tell that Getti is a very special lady. I think she’s got a little crystal ball in her pocket. She’s a loving mother who knows her son…maybe better than he knows himself. But she doesn’t try to control him – not too much anyway!

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming “Stitchers?”

A) Shooting the scene when Linus (Ritesh Rajan) brings Camille (Allison Scagliotti) home for dinner was such a treat. Ritesh, Allison and Ronobir [Lahiri] (who plays my husband) are fantastic actors and we all hit it off in real life. I think our connection came through on screen.

Q) What makes ABC Family such a good for the show?

A) I love ABC Family because it depicts everyday heroes who make us laugh and cry. Stitchers is no exception. On Stitchers, the characters do incredible, almost super human things. But, at the end of the day, they are funny, lovable and very human.

Q) You are a part of social media. Have you enjoyed the instant fan feedback you have been receiving when “Stitchers” and “Quantico” have aired?

A) On Quanitco, people are dying to know what Sita’s deal is…fans are so angry at her for turning on Alex. All I can say is…sorry. [laughs] On Stitchers, the writers tweeted that we should have a spin off series called Meet The Ahluwalias!

Q) What do you think it is about “Stitchers” that has made it a fast fan favorite?

A) That’s easy. It’s the acting and the writing. The writers bring heart, humor and suspense to the scripts. And the lead actors are so good and relatable. We all know some one like “Linus” or “Kirsten” or the others. People can’t help rooting for each of them. I know I’ll be sitting in front of my TV cheering them on!