Anil Kumar Bhardwaj

When I was a younger man, trying to forge a career in NYC, I had recently played Septimus Hodge in Arcadia, just seen The Real Thing on Broadway and was newly baptised in the wild wonder of Tom Stoppard’s words and wisdom. But his greatest gift to me was to put me on stage for the first time in my life with other actors of Indian descent. It was Indian Ink at ACT in SF directed by Carey Perloff. He was just about to win the Oscar for Shakespeare In Love and would sit in the back of the theater literally doing re-writes on the fly while we rehearsed his beautiful albeit slightly problematic play. Art Malik, Dileep Rao, and Firdous Bamji were amongst the cast along with Susan Gibney, Cathrine Crosby (Bing’s wife) and Jean Stapleton. I remember feeling such awe, wonder and joy that first, I was surrounded by other brown people that were doing what I was doing—feeling my aloneness shrink, and also that I had the privledge to utter his words and actually give HIM notes. He was so humble, gentle and kind. As a cast and company we were the toast of SF, riding in limos, keeping bars open past their curfew and dancing on tables. He gave me the greatest compliment I’ve ever received as an actor. With his characteristic side-mouthed slobbery Sylvester the cat British accented lisp, he told me he never really understood the character he wrote until he saw me do it. I should have stopped acting that day and walked away. lol. I wept last night when I read the news. Thank you Tom Stoppard for the words you wrote, the stages you set and the connection you forged in the hearts of all the humans who heard your voice.

Sometimes you eat something and it makes you want to cry, stomp your feet, jump out of your skin and call your mother. I couldn’t be snobbier when it comes to Indian food. This truck is elevating, inspiring and heart exploding. That doesn’t even come close to what it’ll do for you taste buds. Deepak and #desipdx #modernindian are telling a culinary tale that bends the knee to tradition, nails it and then slaps it on the ass. I cried tears of joy and wonder as I ate this mans food. For fucks sake this is what it feels like to be alive and in the moment. Thank you thank you thank you for giving your heart and soul to us. It’s my intent to pay you back a thousand fold. @dsaxena.pdx

The villains you loved to hate — back 25 years later. 🎬🔥 All week on The Bridge, @sammychand is celebrating the 25th anniversary of American Desi — and today, he’s joined by the film’s unforgettable antagonists: @monkeymankumar , @thatsunil , and @sanjitdesilva . These actors brought to life the iconic “ABCD” frat boys — sharp, arrogant, and all too familiar — adding tension, humor, and cultural nuance to a story about identity and belonging. Beyond American Desi, they’ve each built impressive careers across film, television, and theatre — with Sanjit De Silva notably appearing in projects like Billions and Broadway productions, while Sunil Malhotra and Anil Kumar have contributed to a range of screen and stage performances within the diaspora space. 🎭 Get ready for behind-the-scenes stories, reflections, and a look back at the characters that made this cult classic unforgettable. 🎧 Tune in tonight at 9 PM PST — only on Rukus Avenue Radio #AmericanDesi #TheBridge #SammyChand #SouthAsianCinema #RukusAvenueRadio

🎬✨ Celebrating 25 Years of the cult classic American Desi! This morning on The Bridge with Sammy Chand, we continue our special anniversary celebration featuring the cast of the iconic film that helped redefine South Asian storytelling in America. Today’s featured guest: Anil Kumar, who played Rakesh Patel— the proud, culturally rooted roommate whose confidence in his heritage helped challenge stereotypes and inspired audiences to embrace their identity with pride. 🌎🧡 Directed by Piyush Pandya and produced by Gitesh Pandya, American Desi became a groundbreaking cult classic that captured the balance between tradition, identity, family, and belonging for a generation of South Asians growing up in America. 🎧 Join Sammy Chand as he interviews cast members every day this week, celebrating the unforgettable moments and lasting impact of this beloved film 25 years later. 📍 Listen on Rukus Avenue Radio via the iHeartRadio app 🕘 Airing this morning at 9 AM / 9 PM PST

Pay attention kids. If you want to know how to do 60 right. Ask @kimberlyvalenzuelabhardwaj Happy Birthday #MinkleFest6.0

We are so excited to announce that we have started our casting process with Amber Wakefield! We want to leave every stone unturned, so please share our notice to friends/colleagues - LA local-hires only filming the week of 7/18-24. Union and Non-Union may apply. $249/day SAG-deferred rate for student film agreements. Click through the slides to learn more. #share #repost

Looking for ways to help? We're in search of the perfect location to film COMFORT FOOD. If you have ideas, DM us with an address and contact info if you have it! Thank you. - Must be within LA's 30-mile Zone - - Feels like an old home that a family once lived in - - Overgrown yard that needs some TLC - - Filming in Kitchen and Living Room only - THANK YOU!!!

Executive Producing DREAM TEAM alert!!! These folx have been working their bums off since February to strategize, do outreach, make calls - anything and everything they could to make our funding a reality. THEY. DID. IT. Thank you to @seawolffilms @kirstenspalding @monkeymankumar @gardnergrout and Penelope Wong for all your belief in me, this project, and your overwhelming support throughout this process. Follow our film at @comfortfoodmovie and stay tuned over the next couple weeks for thank yous to so many more donors and our *special donor* who swooped in to close the gap. So much love for you all!!!

Another mouthful of appreciation for all these folx getting us closer to the goooooooooaaaaaaallll!!!! #comfortfoodmovie #crowdfunding #goteamgo #afidww * @abazabba221 is amazing. She has been supporting me online since her incredibly talented daughter @sophiereidalter acted up a storm in my show at calarts – THANK YOU for your continued support!!! * Devin Scott is one of my dear friends from New York days now in the beautiful and calm Santa Barbara. What a kind soul, brilliant actor, and lovely director who directed my very first self-written piece. *@ktalwalk is a powerhouse, hilarious, smart, and fabulous actor that I have had the pleasure to chat with…and someday…SOMEDAY…I’ll get the chance to work with him. * Lee Mikeska Gardner is a brilliant mind, a generous soul…I had the honor of working in her house at @centralsqtheater and wow, what a leader she is. I’m so grateful to be in her company. * @labhac is a spunky, smart AF, and lovely writer and actor…and I cannot say enough wonderful things about working with Lily! She rocks my world. * @captain_lisa_dring What can I NOT say. I adore this human to pieces…and she’s a recent NYC convert…but you gotta go see her work. Brilliant mind, loving soul. * @logicink Is a collaborator of dear Lisa Dring…and I his brain is powerful beyond control. Master at virtual experiences, and masterful director. * @nandiniminocha is a wonderful human, and a lovely actor. So grateful for her support and looking forward to supporting whatever she does next. She’s got it going on! * @stevencalcote is a squishy writer, director, producer, talented as all hell, and throws the BEST weddings ever. I love dinos. * Zoey Siwek Sidwell is a talented creator…I’ve known her for many years and she continues to do amazing things. So impressed with her mind and spirit! Thank you everyone for getting us so much closer to the goal! This means so much to me and the whole team. THANK YOU… Less than 25% left to go!!! Let’s DO this!!!

Gettin’ close!!! Thanks to everyone who has supported @comfortfoodmovie so far!!! #comfortfoodmovie #afidww #femalefilmmaker

Immensely happy to welcome one of the most supportive dudes in the industry @va5un who is joining us as our Editor. *** VARUN VISWANATH (ACE) is an Emmy and Eddie nominated Film & TV editor whose recent credits include "Deli Boys"(Hulu), "Reservation Dogs"(FX), "Based On A True Story"(Peacock), and "What We Do In The Shadows"(FX). Varun was born and raised in Bangalore (India), spent his formative years juggling corporate and filmmaking careers in Singapore, before moving to Los Angeles in 2010 for film school. Varun is both alumni of and teacher at the American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory. He is a member of the ACE Education Committee, and an Associate Mentor in the ACE Diversity program. #femalefilmmaker #comfortfoodmovie #biteme #thefutureisfemale #comfortfood #AFIDWW2026