iojojo

One of my favorite books is The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, and I really enjoyed the film adaptation you starred in. Do you experience that feeling of "otherness" in two cultures as a first-generation American, and does that feeling persist through your careers in Hollywood and politics, as well as coming out later in life?

Jhumpa Lahiri is so incredible - I love how she explores identity and relationships. I'd love to see more of her work brought to the screen. And Mira is just incredible, and Tabu and Irfan Khan. Seriously, what a great project all around, I can easily see why it would be a favorite. Was it intimidating to be working with all these legends? Did you get any good advice that you've carried forward in your life and career?

I grew up in NJ, too, in that very same area (over in Howell...) so I grew up in that same relatively diverse-ish area. I love that sentiment that you felt just as American as everyone else you grew up around because of that diversity and glad that was your experience. I really admire your grit and sticking to what you wanted to do despite all the pushback you got from your community.