Entertainment /
The Rise Of South Asians On TV
Have South Asians on North American TV shows become something of a norm? With Mindy in The Mindy Project, Dr. Raj Koothrappali in The Big Bang Theory and even Ravi Ross in Jessie, you'd think that having a Desi as part of a show is a must!
If you're currently missing your fix of Desis on TV, you'll be excited to know that a number of new characters were introduced to our screens this past season.
TV Show: Mr. Robinson
Character: Samir Panj
Actor: Asif Ali
Season: 1
Network: ABC
Character: Samir Panj
Actor: Asif Ali
Season: 1
Network: ABC
Photo Credit: www.indiawest.com
Mr. Robinson was created by Owen Ellickson and developed by Robb Cullen and Mark Cullen. The series is based on Craig Robinson. A musician looking to earn some extra cash takes a job as the new substitute music teacher in an effort to win the affections of a former high school girlfriend, Victoria. Asif Ali plays the role of a math and physics teacher, Samir Panj. Samir lives under the shadow of his older brother, Vikram, and so is alwyas trying to find a way to beat his brother.
TV Show: Project Runway
Starring: Swapnil Shinde
Season: 14
Network: Lifetime
Starring: Swapnil Shinde
Season: 14
Network: Lifetime
Photo Credit: www.previously.tv
Project Runway focuses on finding the next best fashion designer. It's hosted by model Heidi Klum. Each season, selected competitors are progressively eliminated based on judges' scores until only a few contestants remain. These finalists prepare a complete fashion collection for New York Fashion Week, and judges pick a winner from the group. No stranger to provocative fashion, Indian designer Swapnil Shinde has been impressing the Project Runway judges week after week with his designs. Always rocking his signiture kurta and leather jacket, Shinde is definitely entertaining to watch with his witty commentary and unique personality.
TV Show: Blunt Talk
Character: Martin Bassi
Actor: Karan Soni
Season: 1
Network: Starz
Character: Martin Bassi
Actor: Karan Soni
Season: 1
Network: Starz
Photo Credit: www.youtube.com
Blunt Talk stars Patrick Stewart and it was created by Jonathan Ames and produced by Seth MacFarlane. Walter Blunt, played by the Star Trek actor, attempts to piece his life together in time for his nightly broadcast. You may have seen Karan Soni in supporting roles alongside Parks and Recreation actress Aubrey Plaza in Safety Not Guaranteed in 2012 and Amazon’s first original series, Betas, in 2013. Soni is now starring in Other Space as Stewart Lipinski, which is streaming on Yahoo, in addition to his role in Blunt Talk. Theatregoers can also catch Soni later this year as Mr. Rooney in Goosebumps, set to release on October 16.
Main Image Photo Credit: www.theguardian.com
Vallisa Chauhan
Author
Vallisa Chauhan (@vallisachauhan) presents the Flagship breakfast show on Lyca Radio 1458. She has scripted and produced a full feature film called "Those 4 Walls" and is currently working on other projects. She loves travel and movies and tries to fit in both as much as she can.
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