Comments on: Raza Jaffrey Stars in NBC’s “Smash”

By: FuerzaDulce

FuerzaDulce — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:15:10 +0000

So.. can’t say how I know, but there will actually be a Bollywood scene/episode. Spoiler alert, but not really, because you knew that was coming.

By: Shefali D

Shefali D — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:00:34 +0000

Enjoyed the reading and thank you for sharing the knowledge. .

By: Lakshmi

Lakshmi — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:13:18 +0000

I vaguely remember hearing about a South Asian intern character on Grey's Anatomy (according to IMDB she was played by Amrapali Ambegaokar ), and there was that random Dr. Raj (so original!) that used to hang out in the background during the early years. But, yes, I don't think they've ever had a major South Asian character or storyline.

By: Lakshmi

Lakshmi — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:57:09 +0000

Yup, Kunal Nayyar (the actor who plays Raj on BBT) was raised in Delhi and came to the States for undergrad. Though sometimes it sounds like he's exaggerating his accent on BBT.

By: SKG

SKG — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:30:16 +0000

Also, I’ve seen interviews with the actor who plays Raj on BBT, and his accent on the show is his accent in real life. It wasn’t put on, and they managed to weave it into his backstory, so I don’t think it’s that big of an issue.

By: KXB

KXB — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:54:29 +0000

Well, to be fair, “regular” people do not make for interesting television. Networks are filled with reality shows that have “regular” people doing forgettable things. As for the shows you cite, on “Rules of Engagement”, all the men are messed up. One frequents escorts, one is dumb as a doornail, and one plays the inconsiderate husband to a T. The non-Indian guys on Big Bang Theory are not going to be in an Esquire spread anytime soon or win the Manliest Man contest.

By: Indian American Mom

Indian American Mom — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:52:25 +0000

Let's just hope he doesn't play the role of the emasculated Asian male that many shows are bent on assigning to Indian characters (see: Maulik Pancholi on 30 Rock, that Teemir character on Rules of Engagement, and more that I can't think of). That, and I am glad that he won't have an accent (that guy on Big Bang Theory).

I like that there are more South Asian actors on TV, but why can't they just be regular people rather than caricatures?

By: Realist

Realist — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:42:32 +0000

Kal Penn is the go-to Indian-American actor for all things Hollywood. He was on “House” if I remember right. Though I wouldn’t classify him as “hot” .

By: Masala Chicago

Masala Chicago — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:59:31 +0000

I am a big fan of more Indians being cast on television. I don’t know what it is about NBC, but tell me why the heck there isn’t an Indian doctor on grey’s anatomy. Where is Dr. McGupta when you need him? I asked this question on my blog and was told its just not a popular idea. What the hell is that supposed to mean? If its about attractiveness, don’t tell me you can’t find a hot indian actor out there – that I refuse to believe. I haven’t watched the show but will try to catch it for sure.

By: KXB

KXB — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:45:33 +0000

I did watch it, since my family enjoys musicals. I’m no theater critic, but the show benefits from not having a song every five minutes. The “show about making a show” concept works pretty well. Plus, instead of just singing songs everyone is likely to know, they do make an effort to write some original songs. The relationship between Dev and Karen (Katharine McPhee) is sweet, and does not shy away from their more private moments. For a change of pace, Karen’s parents are the ones pressuring her to marry Dev because they think he is a catch. But, since this is a night-time soap, we can probably expect that their relationship will either become strained or will not last. As for the songs, the strongest is the final one “Let Me Be Your Star.” One the negative side, Debra Messing is a one note actress who is extremely boring to watch, and Angelica Huston was under-utilized.