Kal Penn: “I look back at my career so far with lots of gratitude”

Indian-American Entertainer Kal Penn who  recently came out  with his  memoirs, speaks to Subhash K Jha

Kal Penn,  I’ve known you for years. At  44, how do  you look back at your career and life  and career?

Kal Penn: I look back at my career so far with lots of gratitude for those who have supported me, and other desi artists. The early chapters of my book detail the typecasting, stereotyping, and racism that many performers of color go through, and in looking back I’m so thankful that while there’s still plenty of work left to be done, we now have so many more diverse shows out there. So many wonderful South Asian writers, performers, studio executives, directors, producers – who have of course created so much more opportunity. I’m very thankful.

When you started  in the West , Indian actors either played  Indians or Pakistanis, and always caricatural. Of course  things have  changed drastically and for the better for Indian actors. How difficult was it for you, and do you think an entertainer like you  paved  the  way for  Dev Patel and Priyanka Chopra?

Kal Penn: I think often of entertainers who paved the way for me – people like Sarita Chaudhury and Ajay Naidu, but also scores of performers who are wonderful, who work regularly in theater and on television, but whose names aren’t as known because of the lack of opportunity they faced in the generations before ours. I decided to open up about the specifics of typecasting in Hollywood with some very clear examples in my book (like racism on the sets of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Son of the Mask) because I want to point out the not-so-distant past, celebrate the present, and learn from both as we look toward a brighter future – that’s how systems can change for the better.

A refreshing  ‘colour blindness’  has crept into American cinema: a brown actor can now  play Charles Dickens. Was  this  possible   earlier?

Kal Penn: I have to tell you I am loving that a brown actor can play Dickens, or a musician in Danny  Boyle’s Yesterday, or any number of color blind roles today that just would have been totally unfathomable to me less than a decade ago. It’s refreshing, and a real testament to how the industry is changing, and how many fantastic actors there are in the community.

On the  other hand, there are  sections who feel only blind  actors can play blind, and  gay actors should play gay characters?

Kal Penn: I respect that question, and as such really feel those conversations should be had on a case by case basis – there’s so much nuance and passion surrounding art, representation, identity, and storytelling.

How do you  look back  on  your stint  in  the White House?  Do you  feel from Trump to Biden, America has fallen from the frying  pan  to the  fire?

Kal Penn: I’m obviously an American progressive, and I’ve had the privilege of working in the Obama White House. In any democracy, you’ll see things move forward, then slip back a bit, then move again – it’s a constant reminder that the beautiful mess of the democratic process requires us to constantly stay involved. I look back at my White House stint with lots of pride – I was so proud to help plan the first ever Diwali celebration held by a sitting president (in person). We made some real progress on climate change, health care, and human rights. Politics will always fluctuate but as my grandparents – who marched with Gandhiji – would tell us, you always need to do the right thing, and stand up for what you believe.

You  created a  stir  by coming  out  this week, congratulations  to you. How difficult was it for you  to take this very difficult  decision? And  what  prompted this decision?

Kal Penn: Thanks, Subhash! We’ve known each other for some time, so I know you know some of the stories I tell in my memoir and maybe not some of the others. I’m so excited to share all of the stories, from tough experiences dealing with racism in Hollywood to working in perhaps the most diverse place I’ve ever worked – in the White House for the first Black President of the United States, to my 11-year relationship with Josh, to my parents’ struggles as they came to America and built a life for themselves. My partner Josh, like my parents, doesn’t love the limelight. So I’ve always tried to be respectful of their wishes.

How did you convince them  to be  part  of the  book?

Kal Penn: As I started putting the book together, I called my parents and said, “Hey, I think it would be really interesting to share some stories about what brought you to America and what the community was like when we were kids,” and they were alright with that. I said to Josh, “The way we met is so funny, how we connected on – of all things – a NASCAR race on tv, I think that would be a fun story to tell,” and like my parents, he agreed. So I’m really excited to share stories that are such a blessed part of my life that I hope readers will also connect with in nice ways. I hope the stories make you smile.

There was a time when an  actor  like Rock  Hudson  suffocated   in the closet. How  liberal and accepting of  alternative  sexuality do you find the entertainment  business  of today?

Kal Penn: I think there’s some overlap with conversations about race – things are definitely much better today than they were 20 years ago, but we certainly have a long way to go. But I’m hopeful on all fronts. The real game changer I think, is streaming platforms like Neflix and Amazon and Hulu. They tell such diverse stories and their shows have such diverse characters in ways that make all audiences connect. I remember when we shot Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, the general thinking in Hollywood was, “We don’t think two Asian guys can sell a movie” and the reason we proved them wrong was because the fans showed up – they just wanted to laugh with us, and experience a road trip movie about friendship. It was universal. The streaming platforms offer that on a global scale now, and it’s so refreshing. Speaking of, when’s the next season of Made in Heaven dropping?!

What are  your forthcoming projects?

Kal Penn: Lots of upcoming projects I’m excited about! First, I hope the book does well enough that we can sell the rights and make a series out of it (so I hope you enjoy the book!). I’m producing Comedy Central’s first-ever Diwali movie called “Hot Mess Holiday” that airs on December 11th – it’s a really fun story about two women named Surina and Mel (based on characters created by Surina Jindal, Melanie Chandra, and Sameer Gardezi). I’m doing a couple of horror films this winter, and developing some television. I also launched a Food Network show over the winter, and we’re waiting to see if that gets a season two pickup. So thankful for all the opportunities.

Are you and partner  planning a baby?

Kal Penn: Which Auntie put you up to asking me this question?! Haha. We’re focused on keeping everyone safe through the pandemic, so haven’t fully thought through a family just yet. I appreciate all the love and good wishes and will keep you posted!

You  are ready with your memoir. Isn’t 44  too early for  the luxury of looking back on your life.  What  prompted you to take the plunge so early in your life?

Kal Penn: I decided to write this book for the 20 year old version of me – someone who had lots of hopes and dreams and knew there wasn’t quite a book out there to guide you or share stories. I also wrote it for anyone out there who has ever been told that the thing they want to do – maybe it’s a new hobby, a new passion, a career change, a class they want to take – is crazy. I don’t view the world as binary, we have so many opportunities and it’s okay to take the plunge, change your mind, do all sorts of things with your life and career. So this book is for anyone who has ever toyed with that. I wanted to write it in a way that makes you feel like we’re having a beer together, like we’re in the journey together. I hope it makes people laugh and smile.

Indian  entertainers   are  notoriously   famous for lying in their memoirs. How   difficult  was  it to tell the truth about yourself? And  do you  think  you  were you able to  recall all the  details  from your past  the way they happened?

Kal Penn: I appreciate this question so much because I put in all the work! One of the reasons this book took more than four years to write is because I fact-checked everything. I spent months on zooms and calls and in meetings and over emails with people who were in the room for all the stories I tell. Some people had additional color to add to the stories (like the Van Wilder casting director and my friend Lauren Grey who was the casting assistant on the film I did with Ashton Kutcher and Megan Markle). It was important to me that I get things right, and that what I recollect could be confirmed by other people. It also just makes for a better, more honest story, I think.

What according to you is  the  most relevant part  of  your memoir, and why?

Kal Penn: One of my favourite chapters is about how I got my job at the White House. I won’t spoil it for the reader, but it’s a hilarious, ridiculous true story that involves both getting hazed by Mrs. Obama and my Dad stalking Tiger Woods in a backstage tent before the Obama inauguration concert. I love that section because it’s a fun story, but it also talks about the realities of the job market, our own human insecurities, my parents’ immigration story, and how we can all make the world a better place. My book is a story about hope and possibility. And I think that chapter especially encompasses that.