The Kapoor family

[Mirjam]

Too bad they are going, I really liked the Kapoor family. Am curious whether Rani will leave now too or that she will stay at the Kennedy's now that Tash and Summer will leave and have left.

[LostVoodoo]

I've found Priya to be a really annoying character, so glad that she's leaving, can't her whinging on and on and also her excessive eyeshadow! Rani is the best out of all of them, so yes, hoping she stays in the great Kennedy foster home ;)

[alan45]

The actress, who appeared on screen as schoolgirl Rani Kapoor from early 2012, had her final day on set yesterday (April 30).

After saying goodbye to cast and crew, Cherian tweeted: "Just got so spoilt by the most incredible bunch of people in the world! I love you all so very much and miss you already."

Neighbours' executive producer Richard Jasek told Digital Spy: "It's very special when someone joins the Neighbours family as a youngster and then to have the privilege of watching them grow into an extraordinary young adult.

"We have all adored working with Coco and like all our characters, we hope there will be an opportunity with our stories for Rani to make a return visit to Ramsay Street.

"In the meantime, we wish her all the best in the future."

Menik Gooneratne, who played Rani's mother Priya, also left Neighbours earlier this year as her character was killed off in Toadie and Sonya's wedding day explosion.

Additionally, the departure of Sachin Joab - who played Rani's father Ajay - was confirmed in March.

[alan45]

The actress, who appeared on screen as schoolgirl Rani Kapoor from early 2012, had her final day on set yesterday (April 30).

After saying goodbye to cast and crew, Cherian tweeted: "Just got so spoilt by the most incredible bunch of people in the world! I love you all so very much and miss you already."

Neighbours' executive producer Richard Jasek told Digital Spy: "It's very special when someone joins the Neighbours family as a youngster and then to have the privilege of watching them grow into an extraordinary young adult.

"We have all adored working with Coco and like all our characters, we hope there will be an opportunity with our stories for Rani to make a return visit to Ramsay Street.

"In the meantime, we wish her all the best in the future."

Menik Gooneratne, who played Rani's mother Priya, also left Neighbours earlier this year as her character was killed off in Toadie and Sonya's wedding day explosion.

Additionally, the departure of Sachin Joab - who played Rani's father Ajay - was confirmed in March.

[Perdita]

This is the moment that Ajay and Rani Kapoor bow out from Neighbours as they depart Ramsay Street for an emergency trip to India.

The father and daughter duo are already organising a holiday there when some devastating news forces them to bring their plans forward.

Phoning his relatives in India to arrange the break, Ajay (Sachin Joab) is shocked when his grandmother admits that she's dying. It turns out that she has been keeping the news from him for quite a while, feeling that he'd already suffered enough by losing his wife Priya.

A concerned Ajay immediately makes plans to fly out to India to be with his gran, arranging for Rani (Coco-Jacinta Cherian) to stay with the Kennedys in his absence.

However, when Rani strongly protests that they should deal with this crisis together as a family, Ajay agrees that Rani can come with him after all.

With little time to waste, Rani says a bittersweet goodbye to boyfriend Bailey Turner (Calen Mackenzie) before leaving the Street with her father in a taxi. After everything they've been through together, how will Bailey cope without Rani?

Bailey and Rani say goodbye
© Channel 5



Bailey and Rani say goodbye
© Channel 5


Ajay and Rani leave in a taxi
© Channel 5


Neighbours airs these scenes on Friday, August 9 at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5.

[Perdita]

Former Neighbours star Menik Gooneratne has given birth to a baby boy.

The married actress, who played Priya Kapoor in the Australian soap, welcomed her first child last week.

She shared the news with fans on Twitter earlier today after confirming her pregnancy in March.

Priya was killed off in Toadie and Sonya Rebecchi's wedding day explosion earlier this year.

The character has since made a handful of appearances as a vision.

[Perdita]

Neighbours star Menik Gooneratne has spoken out about some of the racist comments she received during her time on the show.

The actress played Ramsay Street's Priya Kapoor from 2011 to 2013 when her character was killed off.

Gooneratne told The Equity Magazine: "Two years ago, I had the immense pleasure of joining the main cast of Neighbours.

"But instead of being a time to celebrate this progressive step, the announcement of my casting and the subsequent months led to a barrage of racial abuse and outrage that brown people were 'invading' Ramsay Street and 'stealing jobs' from hard-working Australians.

"Unfortunately, no amount of telling myself this was just a vocal minority made their comments any less hurtful."

Gooneratne continued: "For me the push for diversity on our screens goes a lot further than just opening doors for a host of exceptionally talented Australian actors.

"Our industry has a social and moral responsibility to help break the stereotypes and fear-mongering that are contributing to the community's increased hostility towards anyone who appears 'different'."

Gooneratne has joined Equity's Casting Diversity Committee and was speaking out in their magazine. The committee promotes more equality and aims to bring the issues associated with casting diversity to the forefront.

Sachin Joab, who played Priya's on-screen husband Ajay, has previously spoken to Digital Spy about diversity on screen. He is also a member of the committee.