Kal Penn keen to do a commercial masala Hindi film

Kal Penn

After acting in Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain, American-born actor Kal Penn does not mind doing a commercial, masala Hindi film. “Why not?,” says the actor when we queried if he would be receptive to acting in mainstream Hindi cinema and in television serials.
Penn, whose parents had migrated to the US was christened Kalpesh Suresh Modi, had to adopt a working professional name in order to fit into the American milieu. He would often visit his grandparents and cousins in India as a child. “It’s wonderful to have the chance to come to India to work as well – there is such a vibrant film scene here, I love the opportunity to work here and balance family time with some professional endeavours,” says the actor. But back in the US, Penn is busy wrapping up the shoot of a new TV drama series called Battle Creek, created by Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad) and David Shore (House). The series will be aired on CBS in the States in 2015.
“I am also be working on an animated version of Harold and Kumar, and a few independent films I shot last year (Sisterhood of Night, Dementemania) are releasing this year. I’m also hosting a documentary series for National Geographic, which is set to air worldwide in 2015,” says Penn.
Juggling several roles, this American-born actor, producer and civil servant has also earned the distinction of holding the office of the Associate Director of the office of Public Engagement in the Barack Obama government.