It’s tough to transition from the Indian film industry to Hollywood due to several reasons. The language and culture, for one, and the nature of the narratives being shot is another. However, some actors like Mindy Kaling and Priyanka Chopra have built a space for themselves, but actor Sweta Keswani believes that one of them has done more for South Asian actors than the other. Keswani argued that Kaling does more for other South Asians, whereas Chopra has always just looked out for herself.
Keswani, who has starred in shows like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and Law and Order, sat down to talk with India Today. She argued that Priyanka is definitely a trailblazer, but her career and actions have only helped her.
She said, “I think it’s incredible what she’s (Priyanka) accomplished; there’s no two ways about that. But she’s not Mindy Kaling. She’s not helping other South Asians. She’s only helping herself, to be very honest. She’s all about herself. What Mindy Kaling does is amazing because she’s actually writing, producing and helping other South Asians to break through in the business, which is so hard as it is for women of colour.”
Sweta Keswani also said that certain cliques in Hollywood control everything, but she has never been a part of it because of her duties as a mother. “I feel that there are cliques just like everywhere. So certain people like certain people, will call certain people, and they’ll be cliques. Unfortunately, I’m not in any South Asian cliques. Now my child is older; she’s almost 12. It’s getting a little easier for me to do stuff. But yeah, so there are cliques; everybody has cliques,” said Keswani.
