Abhay chats with Gayatri Chouhan, an online craft artist, as she shares her journey from a childhood hobby to a thriving online community. She emphasizes the importance of simplicity and affordability in crafting, making it accessible for everyone. Gayatri discusses the significance of storytelling in her crafts, the role of mistakes in the creative process, and how she caters to various skill levels. She also touches on the balance between crafting and managing a business, and her desire to explore new materials and share.
(0:00 - 2:01) Introduction
(2:01) Part 1 - First crafting experiences, simplicity in art, making mistakes and affordability
(11:54) Part 2 - Motion and change, crafting for all occasions
(24:15) Conclusion
Abhay shares a conversation with actor Paras Patel, best known for his standout role as Matthew in the global series "The Chosen."
They chatted about his journey from growing up in Florida to acting, emphasizing the importance of staying true to one's roots, the significance of mental hygeine, and the responsibility through his portrayals he feels as an ambassador for the neurodivergent community. Paras also reflects on the evolving landscape for Indian American artists and the importance of self-worth over external validation.
(0:00 - 2:30) Introduction
(2:30) Part 1 - the acting journey, slowly building a sense of purpose
(15:18) Part 2 - lessons learned, identity and being an Indian American actor
(27:36) Part 3 - empowerment in Hollywood, cultivating trust, staying in the moment
(38:50) Conclusion
Happy Diwali to everyone!
Abhay engages in a profound conversation with acclaimed and award-winning Indian lawyer, child rights activist, and founder of Just Rights For Children, Bhuwan Ribhu. They discuss the evolution of child protection laws in India, the challenges of child marriage and trafficking, and the importance of building trust and accountability in advocacy efforts. Bhuwan shares insights on the systemic changes needed for effective child protection and the motivation that drives his work. Their chat highlights the significance of community engagement and the role of justice in preventing child exploitation. Over two decades, Ribhu has championed major legal reforms in India to combat child labor, child marriage, trafficking, and child sexual exploitation, filing more than 60 strategic cases before the Supreme Court and High Courts. His efforts have shaped national policy, triggered landmark Supreme Court judgments, and, in 2025, earned him the Medal of Honour from the World Jurist Association—the first Indian lawyer to receive this global recognition for advancing justice and protection for children.
At the 2025 UNGA meeting in New York, Bhuwan and the Just Rights For Children team were invited to spotlight global leadership and call urgent, justice driven commitments to build a Child Marriage Free World.
(0:00 - 2:43) Introduction
(2:43) Part 1 - Evolution of child protection laws, scaling globally
(10:04) Part 2 - Building trust, securing the role of justice
(23:22) Part 3 - Lessons learned in activism, motivations for the future
(30:41) Conclusion
Learn more about this important work and how to get involved at:
https://www.justrightsforchildren.org/
https://www.justrights.international/
Abhay is joined by Aditi Kinkhabwala, an NFL on CBS sideline reporter, sharing her journey into sports journalism, discussing her unique experiences, the importance of authenticity, and the challenges faced in the industry. She emphasizes the significance and evolution of preparation, and the impact of her identity as an Indian American woman. Aditi also reflects on the role of parenting in her career and the importance of representation in sports media. For you QB's out there, "Kem Cho" or "Chalo Chalo" may be the new "Omaha" or "Here We Go".
(0:00 - 1:43) Introduction
(1:43) Part 1 - First NFL memories, preparation on the sidelines
(13:48) Part 2 - NFL Pundit, controversial takes, halftime interview
(28:00) Part 3 - Parenting and cultivating relationships, representation
(41:25) Conclusion
Shout out to anyone who may be facing an upswing of Indian American hate right now - you’re not alone and check out some of the resources here:
https://stopaapihate.org/
Abhay is joined in conversation with Rich Verma, the former US Ambassador to India, former deputy Secretary of State, and current Chief Administrative Officer at MasterCard. They explore Rich's journey from being a son of Indian immigrants to a prominent leader in both the public and private sectors. They chatted about leadership, the importance of listening and empathy, the complexities of US-India relations, and the evolving definition of American identity in the context of immigration. He even touched on music and his dad coming to America with a few dollars in your pocket. Rich emphasizes the need for continuous learning and the value of diverse perspectives for a strong United States in a global context.
(0:00 - 1:54) Introduction
(1:54) Part 1 - Music, navigating public/private sector transitions
(15:00) Part 2 - Leading upwards, new challenges for the Indian immigrant experience
(27:08) Part 3 - Indian American-ness, new challenges for the US-India relations, cultivating trust
(38:38) Conclusions
Shout out to everyone for a Happy Navratri and to Suman and Preethi at the Indo American Arts Council.
Summary
In this SPOTLIGHT episode, Abhay shares a conversation with Abhijit Bansod, an award-winning designer, discusses his journey as a cultural designer, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, the influence of Indian culture on design, and the continuous evolution of a designer's mindset. He explores the complexities of defining Indian design, the balance between nostalgia and innovation, and the impact of design on identity and confidence in cultural narratives.
Learn more about Abhijit's work here:
Studio ABD
Tigoona
MUBHI
Introduction:
We talk a lot these days about the soft power of India and the effect it has on a global stage. It seems more and more like that cultural power has had a profound impact on hearts, minds, memories, and markets throughout the world. I often have wondered about how this all has been designed, about the vision it takes to create the ideas, and about the execution required to bring tradition to life in a way that both feels new and has lasting impact. Thankfully, to help guide us, I shared a conversation with Abhijit Bansod, a visionary designer who has been orchestrating a beautiful harmony between so many elements of everyday Indian life with thoughtful, modern design. Growing up in Nagpur in India, he drew inspiration from daily sights and stories, eventually shaping his path through the National Institute of Design and a decade at Titan Industries, where he helped bring Indian storytelling into watchmaking. After launching Studio ABD in Bangalore, Abhijit committed to creating products that aren’t just functional but tell rich, poetic stories—whether it’s a lamp inspired by street culture or accessories that celebrate Indian craft or offering mobility solutions to local street entrepreneurs. His studio’s philosophy is to blend humor, emotion, and local culture with innovation, making even the simplest objects reminders of Indian tradition and joy. With many honors and accolades, Abhijit is widely respected for work that connects deeply with users and he also serves as a decorated ambassador of contemporary Indian design. He believes that products aren’t just consumable but that they’re animated anecdotes to help connect everyone to a holistic design experience. As we caught up to chat about everything from trends and nostalgia to thinking like a designer and optimism, I was curious to know how he, as a designer, approaches something as simple as how he first introduces himself to people?
Shout out to Deepa Prahalad Abhyankar for the spark!
Abhay is joined by Shefali Razdan Duggal, the recently retired United States Ambassador to the Netherlands. They explore Shefali's journey as a diplomat, her experiences from Ohio to serving on political campaigns, and her unwavering commitment to authenticity and kindness. Shefali shares insights on breaking cultural norms, the importance of staying true to oneself, and her perspectives on American patriotism in today's global arena.
(0:00 - 3:04) Introduction
(3:04) Part 1 - kinship as Ambassadors, diplomatic service as a "love story"
(19:47) Part 2 - combating tribalism, Indian Americanism and patriotism
(40:46) Part 3 - staying true to values, "Tulipa Shefali"
(51:57) Conclusion
Learn more at about Ambassador Razdan Duggal's work here - https://www.shefalirazdanduggal.com/
Shout outs to everyone back in school, to Rajeev Ram and Yuki Bhambri at the US Open, and to my San Francisco girl Kirtee Mehta for being such a good fraindt!
Abhay shares a conversation with virtuoso tabla artist Ojas Adhiya, who shares insights into his life as a musician, discussing the importance of routine, the balance between music and life, and the connection he feels during performances. He reflects on the evolution of his listening skills, the impact of AI on music, and the delicate balance between tradition and innovation in tabla. Ojas also shares personal anecdotes, including his experiences on stage and his fond memories of the late Zakir Hussain, emphasizing the importance of relationship building and openness in music.
(0:00 - 2:35) Introduction
(2:35) Part 1 - routines and practice, missing tabla
(17:55) Part 2 - stage fright, working with other artists, motivations and digital music
(34:19) Part 3 - Gharanas and evolution, preparing for the spontaneous, optimism as a tabla artist
(48:50) Conclusion
Learn more about Ojas at https://ojasadhiya.in/
A couple of quick shout outs in this episode: first to Ganapati Bappa, next to one of the nicest listeners ever in Mrs. Madhuri Kolhatkar and her husband Kaustubh, and last to all you fantasy football people out there as a new season begins and my own team, the Chaddi Patrol sets out to win it all.
Abhay is joined by Chef Vijay Kumar, who shares his journey as the executive chef of SEMMA in New York City, discussing the importance of authenticity in Indian cuisine, the balance between tradition and innovation, and the emotional connections that food creates. Vijay reflects on the challenges and responsibilities that come with recognition in the culinary world, emphasizing the significance of community, family heritage, authenticity, and the need to remain true to one's roots while navigating the expectations of a diverse audience.
(0:00 - 2:40) Introduction
(2:40) Part 1 - morning routine, personalizing experiences, nostalgia
(14:45) Part 2 - recreating tradition, awards and kitchen culture
(26:05) Part 3 - food and judgment, perfectionism, expectations
(40:42) Conclusion
Big shout outs this week to Tommy C for turning 50, Neerav for turning 52, Rajeev Ram for winning the Cincy open, and to the up and coming Harpal Khambay who is a TV freelancer, blogger, and presenter in London.
Abhay shares a compelling discussion with Milan Vaishnav, director of the South Asia program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. They chatted about the intriguing shifts in political allegiances among the Indian Americans, the concept of "Modi Democrats," the broader implications of US- India relations, and the optimism he has for continuing to study the global Indian diaspora.
(0:00 - 2:41) Introduction
(2:41) Part 1 - questions to ask today as an Indian American, affirming political movements
(16:40) Part 2 - reform and faith in institutions, personal journey to pursue scholarship, praise and continued blind spots for the Modi government
(36:22) Part 3 - India as a global power, academic roundtables to kitchen tables, optimism
(50:07) Conclusion
Catch Milan on the Grand Tamasha podcast
Abhay delves into the transformative journey of Shweta Katti, the Director of Education at KRANTI. Discover how KRANTI empowers daughters of sex workers from India's red light districts, turning adversity into strength and resilience. Shweta shares her inspiring journey from growing up in a red light district to empowering girls from similar backgrounds. She discusses the contrasts of love and trauma within her community, the importance of building trust and safety, and the evolution of self-trust. Shweta shares her personal story of enduring generational trauma and abuse to become the first woman from an Indian red-light area to study abroad. She emphasizes the need to challenge toxic masculinity and highlights the role of community in healing and support, and also shares insights on Kranti's mission to create agents of social change - a testament to the power of community, empathy, and unwavering hope.
(0:00 - 3:17) Introduction
(3:17) Part 1 - responsibility, contrasts and difficulties
(18:23) Part 2 - empathy to build empowerment, evolving reflections, changing stereotypes
(37:24) Part 3 - building allyship and stopping toxic masculinity, therapy, building trust
(49:27 Conclusion
KRANTI is an organization in India dedicated to empowering girls from red-light districts to become agents of social change. Kranti currently supports 50+ girls & young women who are survivors of trafficking or daughters of sex workers.
Read a recent blog post titled "The Brothel is My Temple" written by Shweta here.
Please consider supporting KRANTI through volunteering or donating in kind, at kranti-india.org/join
Periodically on TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I’m DOING , we share a SPOTLIGHT conversation and feature brief chats with an individual or a group from the community about a special topic or a unique endeavor.
I grew up in a Marathi American household and even as a born and raised Californian, there was a lot of attention at my house to Marathi film and cinema. So much that the idea of watching Tukaram, Ram Shastri, Simhasan, or Umbartha were not foreign to me as a 12 year old. Marathi cinema is the oldest film industry in India and from Dadasaheb Phalke making the first full feature length movie more than 100 years ago to Prabhat films all the way to 2016’s Sairat,, you can directly connect the dots from this rich legacy to every corner of India’s film industry today.
So on this SPOTLIGHT episode of Trust Me, I Know What I’m Doing, and yes, I’m aware of the mild irony of this, नमस्कार आणि आपल्य सर्वांचा स्वागत करतो. आणि नेहमीप्रमाणे, आज आपण या मुलाखतीत अंग्रेजित बोलणार आहोत! So, let’s focus on how this Marathi film legacy is undergoing a contemporary revival at the intersection of art, business, and community, through the North American Film Association (NAFA) and its founder, Abhi Gholap.
As a serial entrepreneur, investor, and passionate Marathi film enthusiast, Abhi has personified that bridging of tradition and today’s film landscape, and is the convener of the upcoming 2025 North American Film Festival in San Jose. Notably, he is the producer of the acclaimed award-winning 2011 film Deool, a movie that not only achieved commercial and critical success but also underscored the social impact and artistic power of Marathi storytelling. His experience with Deool shaped his unique approach to filmmaking, blending an entrepreneurial drive with a keen sensitivity to meaningful, community-centered stories. And now with the non-profit NAFA, and the focused lens of the upcoming 2025 North American Film Festival, it was great to explore how Abhi and NAFA are creating new opportunities—connecting local voices with international platforms and using film as a common language of inclusion and growth. The mission of NAFA is pretty simple - to advance the Marathi film ecosystem through collaborative efforts in production, distribution, and film festivals, and I’ve personally found that for any group, a spirit of inclusion and priority to strong storytelling is one that builds sustainable connection and emotional endurance.
So, as we sat for a conversation, and after a brief Marathi introduction that you can see on the Youtube version of the podcast, I was actually thinking of how people get introduced to movies when they’re young and so I asked Abhi if he could reflect on some of his own first Marathi movie experiences and memories…
Please learn more about the 2025 NAFA Film Festival (July 25-27, 2025 in San Jose).
Abhay is joined by the singular and superb actor, writer, and presenter, Sanjeev Bhaskar, as he shares his artistic journey and navigation through the complexities of identity, success, and creativity with humility, engagement in the present, and humor.
No chuddies were harmed, kissed, or soiled in the making of this episode.
(0:00 - 2:53) Introduction
(2:53) Part 1 - Dinner party intros, confidence and risk taking, planning and prep
(21:18) Part 2 - Goodness Gracious Me, Kumars at No. 42, nostalgia, labels, representation, parenting
(42:02) Part 3 - Serving as a global ambassador, heroes and reverance, legacy, introductions
(58:20) Conclusion
Sanjeev Bhaskar is a pioneering British actor, writer, and comedian best known for co-creating and starring in the groundbreaking sketch comedy series "Goodness Gracious Me," which redefined British comedy by spotlighting British-Asian experiences and challenging cultural stereotypes. He followed this success with "The Kumars at No. 42," an international hit that blended sitcom and talk show formats, earning widespread acclaim and a BAFTA award. Bhaskar has also demonstrated his dramatic range in leading roles such as Dr. Prem Sharma in "The Indian Doctor" and DI Sunny Khan in the acclaimed series "Unforgotten". His contributions to the arts have been recognized with an OBE, and he continues to influence both comedy and drama in the UK
Abhay is joined by award winning filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir, as she discusses her journey in making documentary films, the importance of empathy in storytelling, and the challenges faced by marginalized voices in the industry. She reflects on her personal experiences, the influence of her mentors, and the need for representation and trust. Geeta also shares insights on her latest project, 'The Perfect Neighbor,' which explores the complexities of community and violence. She is currently directing a series for Netflix with Spike Lee and Samantha Knowles, which is a retrospective on post-Katrina New Orleans. Gratefully, we also talked about Star Wars and Amar Chitra Katha.
(0:00 - 2:50) Introduction
(2:50) Part 1 - empowerment and practice
(16:47) Part 2 - highlighting the African American experience, making 'The Perfect Neighbor', empathy as a vehicle, activism
(33:49) Part 3 - legacy and mentorship, cultivating trust
(48:42) Conclusion
SHOUT OUT: There are major headwinds that are making it harder and harder to freely share stories and news especially from communities of color, so please check out URL media and EpicenterNYC, both the brainchildren of my friend and veteran journalist, Mitra Kalita.
Abhay chats with Pramod Varma, the visionary technologist who helped architect India’s digital transformation, enabling over a billion people to access digital identity, banking, payments, and verifiable credentials, fundamentally reshaping India’s social and economic landscape.
(0:00 - 3:41) Introduction
(3:41) Part 1 - Describing what he does, transforming India into the transaction economy
(20:34) Part 2 - Verbs not nouns, connecting tech to everyone, lessons in equity, personal learning
(42:28) Part 3 - leading for magnitude and scale, art and aesthetics, prioritizing equity
(1:00:59) Conclusion
Pramod is currently the Co-Founder and Chief Architect of FIDE.org leading global efforts such as BECKN Protocol and FINTERNET.
He has been the chief architect of most of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) efforts starting with Aadhaar - India’s unique ID system that covers 1.4 Billion people; eSign - an interoperable digital signature protocol; DigiLocker - digital credentialing and wallet system having over 9 billion verifiable credentials and over 400 million users; and UPI - the unified instant payment system that was launched in 2016 currently doing over 18 Billion transactions a month.
He also played a key role in designing and architecting India’s indirect tax (GST) system, national toll collection system, digital health infrastructure, digital agri infrastructure, and digital education infrastructure.
Intro:
The world needs more heroes, so let me thank you first for your heroism in an effort to engage here and choose TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I’m DOING as a part of your day and even a small part of your life. I appreciate you watching and subscribing on YouTube, listening on all of the podcast platforms, rating and writing reviews, following on those good old social media places, and sharing this with all your friends and family.
Now if I really think about heroic feats in this digital age we live in, I can’t think of a better person who effectively embodies it than Pramod Varma. Pramod is a computer scientist and for over the past decade and a half, he has been the driving designer of tech inclusion, equity, and connectivity to India’s entire population. He is the chief architect behind many of India’s digital public infrastructure initiatives like Aadhar - the digital identity system covering 1.4 billion people that enabled banking access from almost nothing to above 80% in just a decade, and similarly e-sign, account aggregator for open finance, and of course the UPI or Unified Payments Interface that is now processing over 18 billion transactions in India every month. Staggering is a word that comes to my mind, but still doesn’t do justice to the scale and scope of work that Pramod has designed and is continuing to lead. He grew up in a small town in Kerala, earned his PhD in computer science and a masters in applied mathematics. Pramod is highly driven by curiosity and equipped with an insatiable thirst for broadly understanding humanity through art and knowledge. After journeying successfully through the early days of the internet in a variety of entrepreneurial and tech leadership roles, Pramod made a deep pivot in 2009 to volunteer on a national digital identity project, and the rest is as they say history. And for those keeping score at home, Pramod’s initial success in harnessing a team to do this at scale and at the cost of about 70 rupees per person, was all open sourced and unbundled, so that you could build iterative and supplemental layers on this important foundation for years to come. He is currently the co-founder and chief architect of “Networks for Humanity” creating universal technology infrastructure for the AI driven digital economy and for the tokenization and exchange of all forms of assets across geographies and sectors. A few of the visions that he has co-created are the Finternet, an initiative to build infrastructure that empowers individuals and businesses to unify, verify, and transact their assets seamlessly, enabling billions of people to actively participate in the global digital economy, and also the Beckn Protocol, a vision for peer-to-peer, agentic native, open networks that enable exchange across the global value chains. As you can guess, while most are playing checkers, I feel like Pramod is playing 4-dimensional chess… while keeping a grounded lens on disciplined equity, education, and inclusion. We caught up to chat about it all, but with so many descriptors of his work and accomplishments, especially for people who are getting to know him, I wanted to first simply hear how Pramod tends to describe himself.
Cheers to INDIASPORA for the spark!
Abhay shares a conversation with Kiran Gandhi, also known as the award-winning world stage performer Madame Gandhi, as they discuss her journey of personal growth, the creative process behind her latest album 'Let Me Be Water', and the balance between power and stillness in her life. She reflects on the importance of learning, the challenges of being a multi-faceted artist, and the significance of sincerity in her music. The discussion also touches on identity, ego, and the role of trust in artistic expression.
(0:00 - 3:16) introduction
(3:16) Part 1 - roles and titles, life-long learning, the birth of 'Let Me Be Water'
(14:29) Part 2 - musical curriculum, stillness vs. motion
(27:41) Part 3 - creative energy, ego, cultivating trust
(38:57) Conclusion
Periodically on TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I’m DOING , we share a SPOTLIGHT conversation and feature brief chats with an individual from the community about a special topic or a unique endeavor.
Now while we truly should strive for mental wellness all the time, May is mental health awareness month, and there’s no more obvious place to focus our energy than on something we too often take for granted… our breathing. So I’m going to take a yogic approach, drawing from the teachings of both my parents who are yoga instructors and remembering some of the daily habits of my grandparents. Breathing is essentially the most outward demonstration of our “prana”, the Sanskrit word that refers to our innate universal life force, and through “ayama” the Sanskrit word which means to regulate or control or lengthen, we can therefore use the practice of "pranayama" to not just consciously understand our breathing, but also optimize and even increase that life force and harmonize our mind, body, and spirit. Now whether it's deeply practicing this living science of pranayama or simply pausing briefly to become more conscious of our breathing, the benefits can be quite extensive for so many physical and mental concerns. So it was especially terrific to have a conversation about…well… breathing with Dr. Amit Anand, who is a pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine specialist AND a master yoga teacher - truly a breathing superhero. With an academic medicine background, training in both Mumbai at KEM and in Boston at Harvard, Amit has been a rigorous practitioner, clinical teacher, and researcher. Fortunately for many patients and students alike, he has taken his experience and integrated this evidence based medical approach with an expertise in yoga training, meditation, breathwork, and pranayama. Amit is the founder of Pranayamarx, leading live and online yoga workshops and pranayama courses. He is also the co-founder of Breathonance, a science-based breathwork experience that integrates the yogic teachings of Pranayama with resonant musical rhythms. I actually caught a live demo this year and I was struck by a few things: the importance of creating space for this, how little time was actually required vs the perception of what was required, and the beautiful convergence of music, meditation, and breathing. Now, I know that all of you know this, but the content and conversation here should not be taken as medical advice, and is for informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your own healthcare professional team for any medical questions.
And so as Amit and I caught up to chat, we started with the very basic question that was in front of both of us particularly as doctors, in why we all tend to be so painfully unaware of our own breathing?
And you can visit breathonance.com to learn more about Amit's vision and the musical expertise of co-founder Clint Valladares
Abhay welcomes Sanjay Sharma, founder and CEO of Marginal Media Works, for a candid and thought-provoking conversation about the power of the margins in shaping culture, creativity, and identity.
Sanjay shares his journey from growing up immersed in subcultures like skateboarding, heavy metal, and hip hop, to building a media company dedicated to amplifying voices and stories that exist at the intersections—across race, gender, sexuality, and more. Together, Abhay and Sanjay explore how “the coolest shit happens in the margins,” why authenticity matters in an era of rapid commercialization, and how intersectionality and fluid identity are transforming both the business and art of storytelling.
The discussion touches on reimagining classic genres through new perspectives, the evolving landscape of representation in Hollywood, and the challenges and opportunities of navigating today’s shifting sociopolitical climate. Sanjay also reflects on the importance of pattern recognition, staying connected to emerging trends, and the ongoing need to redefine what it means to belong—both on screen and off.
(0:00 - 3:13) Introduction
(3:13) Part 1 - prioritizing margins, politics and the moving margins
(20:45) Part 2 - centers of capital and power, intersections of tech and media
(34:10) Part 3 - labels and identity, optimism
Don't forget to subscribe, review, follow along, and share!
Abhay is joined by comedian Amit Tandon for a broad conversation sharing insights into his journey in comedy, discussing the importance of relatability, the art of writing jokes, and the challenges of maintaining relevance in a rapidly changing industry. He reflects on the evolution of his craft, the significance of audience observation, and the balance between content creation and innovation. Amit also talks about the guardrails he sets for himself in comedy, the anatomy of a good performance, and the importance of continuous improvement in his work. Try and catch his show Halwa which he he showcasing currently on tour across the globe.
(0:00- 2:33) Introduction
(2:33) Part 1 - keywords, being relatable, being a better listener/observer
(12:30) Part 2 - storytelling and timelines, pushing boundaries, anatomy of a good show
(30:55) Part 3 - delivering intelligent comedy consistently, life before and after stand-up comedy, satisfaction vs ambition
(42:56) Conclusion
Intro:
So if I were on stage delivering stand up comedy, I’d likely be petrified both as a performer and also in trying to create material that someone other than me would find funny. But as an audience member, maybe the best characteristic that I seek out in a comic artist would be honesty, manifesting in such a way that it builds connection through laughter and shared experiences. Now recently, I was able to catch up with comedian Amit Tandon, who is currently touring across the world with his latest show called Halwa. Amit is a veteran performer who is known for his clean, relatable, and honest content - which allows him to constantly evolve and hone his well-crafted art. He went from life as a successful engineer and entrepreneur, to being the first to have a Hindi solo stand up show on Netflix appropriately called “Family Tandoncies”. Amit’s writing and observational style of humor have drawn audience and critic praise alike, especially with relating personal experiences of marriage, family relationships, and the sometimes awkward and surprising truths that govern our own internal reflections. His style is definitely friendly, intelligent, sharp, and in a way bonding- and not just because of the relatability factor with Amit, but also the compelling and connected joy that you’re left to seamlessly realize with the people in your own orbit. So when we caught up, we chatted about the nuances of his comedy and storytelling craft, balancing guardrails and pushing boundaries, AI (of course), and even straddling ambition and satisfaction as an artist. But of course, as I was searching through some of his work, the recurring popups on YouTube were showing online orders for chaat and food snacks, and real estate in Pleasanton, which is heavily populated with Indian families here in the Bay Area - a clear sign I guess that the algorithmic key words and cookies are working well. So… I asked him to reflect a bit on what he thinks those Amit Tandon key words… might be?
Actor, director, and producer, Karan Soni joins Abhay to talk about his latest film A Nice Indian Boy (directed by Roshan Sethi), share lessons from his journey, and some of the cultural nuances of being an Indian American in Hollywood. He reflects on the importance of versatility in acting, the duality of creative roles, and the significance of downtime for personal growth. Soni emphasizes the need for authentic representation in media and the power of storytelling to foster empathy and understanding. He also touches on the challenges and rewards of navigating the entertainment industry, ultimately expressing a desire to create work that uplifts and resonates with diverse audiences. Of note: proper name pronunciation was celebrated, and no blood tests were ordered.
(0:00 - 2:50) Introduction
(2:50) Part 1 - being an endearing artist, life on both sides of the camera, learning and un-learning
(19:50) Part 2 - letting go from each role, craft and practice, downtime and privacy, from Delhi to LA
(40:24) Part 3 - empowerment from A Nice Indian Boy, working with Roshan Sethi, labels, audience take aways
(52:51) Conclusion
