TV QUEEN: POORNA JAGANNATHAN
Best known for her portrayal of a sassy journalist in the 2011 comedy Delhi Belly, Poorna Jagannathan is building a thriving career in America’s red-hot television market, with supporting roles in the Emmy-nominated HBO crime series The Night Of and the Netflix original series Gypsy. She currently features in an episode of the Mark and Jay Duplass-created anthology series Room 104.
Did you think The Night Of would get such a great response?
When I read the script, I knew it was one of the best pieces of writing I’ve ever come across. But I had no idea it would be received the way it was. That said, whenever I was with Riz [Ahmed], Peyman [Moaadi] or any actor in that show, I always knew the calibre of acting in the room was higher than I’ve ever come across.
How much do you think the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and Islamophobia contributed to the show resonating with audiences?
The ironic thing is that the show was slated to release in 2013. But when The Night Of released in 2016, it was into a very charged political and social climate. Maybe people also appreciated that it was an authentic and humanising portrayal of a Muslim family at a time when the community is being thoroughly vilified.
Filmmaker Jane Campion [Top
of the Lake] recently said that “the really clever people do television”. Do you concur that TV is now showcasing more interesting and diverse stories than film?
Really clever people do multiple things at the same time. I consider people like Donald Glover (who created Atlanta), Aziz Ansari (who created Master of None) and Mindy Kaling super clever people. Stereotypes are way too fat, bloated and comfortable to go anywhere with.
Tell us about your episode in Room 104?
It is called ‘The Internet’. Facing a looming deadline, Anish (played by
“Really clever people do multiple things at the same time—Donald Glover, Aziz Ansari and Mindy Kaling”
Karan Soni), a young aspiring novelist, realises he has left his laptop at his mother’s and calls her to walk her through how to email the document to him. Except, this is set in 1997. His mother has no idea how to use a computer, let alone the internet. It’s mind-bogglingly frustrating and comical because everything that can go wrong, does.
Any offers from Bollywood that are enticing enough for you to come back?
I haven’t been offered a script better written than Akshat Verma’s Delhi Belly. When I do, I’ll nosedive back into Bollywood.