Bridge the Culture

Why did the chicken cross the bridge? To meet with Jas on the other side! Joining him is Rahul Chaturvedi, the writer/director of a new short film called "Forbidden Tikka Masala." It is available to view now on Omeleto's YouTube channel. Make sure to check it out and leave comments (Rahul reads every single one). The film tackles what happens when an older South Asian woman and devout vegetarian accidentally eats chicken for the first time at her retirement party. It's a coming of old age flick unlike one you've ever seen. Rahul walks us through the making, from the idea's genesis and the casting of actress Baljinder Johal ("Beeba Boys," "Heaven on Earth"), to its successful festival run and now online release. We also discuss the process of discovering the comedy past the concept, and finding our artistic voices while doing so. In these quarantined times, it was great to be in the room together and talk shop with a fellow filmmaker. And if you're looking for more content like this, hit up B-Raja TV, your home for South Asian American entertainment!

In these quarantined times, aren't we all just looking for a BIFL of our own? Not sure what a BIFL is? Well I got just the podcast (and web series) for you! On the bridge this week we have Anisha Adusumilli, an actor out of LA who over the years has had appearances on NBC's "Outsourced," Fox's "New Girl," and CBS' "How I Met Your Mother" and "NCIS: Los Angeles," among many others. Anisha talks to Jas about growing up in Ohio expressing herself through dancing and singing, to eventually discovering acting at UCLA (and finally becoming a California girl), to balancing the pursuit of Theater and Business Economics. She is the lead of a new web series called "BIFL," who's entire first season can be binged now on RevryTV! It's a LGBTQIA+ comedy/drama that deals with those identities, expectations, different shades of intimacy, and what it really means to love someone. Tune in to be a part of #TeamBIFL and support them as well as B-RajaTV, your home for South Asian American entertainment!

Swipe right on the bridge! Jas talks to Kabir Chopra, the writer/director/actor of a phenomenal new web series called "Swiped to Death." It explores the messy realities of online dating, told from the perspective of two recently single South Asians in New York as they try their luck on a new dating app. Taking inspiration from his own and friends' numerous stories, Kabir's crafted a show in which each episode is based on a real-life date that went terribly wrong. You can binge watch the entire first season now at www.swipedtodeath.com. Kabir talks about his origins into filmmaking out of New York, the concept of creating the show, and the five year journey to finally bring it to the screen. Tune in to find out why even Ernest Hemingway was quoted as saying, "This is some CW shit!" If you haven't already, find more content like this at B-Raja TV, your home for South Asian American home entertainment!

Music always finds a way, and that couldn't be more true of our guest on the bridge this week. From singing karaoke as a kid, to the stages of "American Idol," to finally finding a place on the Chicago scene, singer/songwriter Shubha Vedula has carried a tune at every age and opportunity. We talk her start in music, the experience of making the Top 20 Females on "American Idol," and how she continues to create content and work on her craft during this quarantine. Tune in to discover Shubha's once favorite Indian soap opera, why Nicki Minaj doesn't hold a candle to Indian aunty judges, and there's also a special appearance by a wild turkey! Never a dull moment on the bridge, so check us out on B-RajaTV, your home for South Asian American home entertainment!

Quarantine can't stop the bridge (despite it taking a month to do another of these). Holed up in an apartment with Jas is writer/director/actor, Nardeep Khumri, with not just one, but two short films for your viewing pleasure: "Monogamish" and "Pagg." You can watch both now on B-RajaTV, your home for South Asian American home entertainment! The two talk about Nardeep's career out in LA, from writing and directing, to starring in multiple projects, most recently Disney Junior's animated "Mira, Royal Detective." They also get into South Asian representation in Hollywood, why an Indian Marty McFly would probably not work, and the merits of a soggy samosa. Confused? Don't be. Listen to what they're calling the new Tinder. At least that's what it was for this bromance.

Jas talks to the brains behind the webseries Bad Indians: Shawn Parikh (co-creator/writer/star) and Faroukh Virani (director/editor). They talk about their Texas origins, California dreams, and things get oddly therapeutic while discussing how our parents feel about our professions. Find out where you rank on the Bad Indians scale, and this holiday season, finally come out creatively to your loved ones! If you need help, Jas makes house calls.