Rushi Kota – Never Have I Ever

By: Alejandra Gil M

Q) You play Prashant in the series created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher about the complicated life of a modern-day first generation Indian American girl. Was there anything in particular about the character or the show that made you want to be a part of “Never Have I Ever?”

A) I am so very grateful that they would have me. There’s nothing like this show on American television. Indian Americans having the opportunities to be portrayed in such a positive light. That’s what got me really excited about “Never Have I Ever” and the character I am getting to play. I think this is the first time that an Indian American men and women are getting a chance to be portrayed as romantic leads with fully baked arcs, and that too with accents. You know, for as long as I know, Indian accents on American TV and film have always been used as a comedic vehicle. It’s the accent that walks in the room and gets the laugh and that’s not okay because the characters have literally zero backstory to ground their choices. It’s really refreshing for me to walk in the who, what, where, when and why first and then deal with real world problems. To having a point of view but then to also to be able mask it for the sake of maintaining a relationship.

Q) Prashant was first introduced in Season 1. Were there certain aspects or layers of him that you were most looking forward to portraying?

A) Yes, he was. Honestly, I just wanted to an opportunity to be able to walk in his shoes a bit longer. And as the show progressed in Season 2, I got a chance to dig deeper into another complex layer, and that is something Indian men are born and breed into. Something we would never we ever see on TV because no one has ever given us a chance to explore that systemic issue and it’s a big fucking issue! “Put your head down, don’t make a fuss and get through it.” “Don’t stir the pot.” “What will people say?” “What will people think?” And that was something that was very fun to play. The dichotomy in mindset between Prashant and Kamala (Richa Moorjani).

Q) Season Two of “Never Have I Ever” allows fans to dive deeper into your character and the relationship. What are you excited for the fans to see this season?

A) I’m really excited for the audience to see fully baked individuals exploring workplace injustices and dating and the difference in opinion even when you have so much in common.

Q) I really like the relationship between Prashant and Kamala there is unbelievable chemistry there. It must have been wonderful to have that naturally. Do you have a favorite memory while filming with her on set?

A) Playing pretend with Richa is so very easy because she’s just so available and present. I feel it, she feels it, we all feel it and that’s a really nice quality to have in someone that I’m supposed to take a dance with. I think it was in episode 4, right before Prashant kisses Kamala, I remember it was the first day back to set during the pandemic. It was a long day, and my adrenaline was getting the best of me because in the back of my mind, I wanted it to be “right” both as the actor and the character, and trying to do something “right” should never be the reason we do something as actors. So, right before the kiss, I would bumble my words “but maybe before we ripped them open” and that happen multiple takes which got me even more in my head. And I remember Richa saying, “Don’t put so much weight on it. It’s NBD.” That was very helpful.

Q) One of my favorite scenes is one of Prashant and Devi, when he attempts to give her some relationship advice. What was your favorite scene?

A) My favorite scene is when Nalini (Poorna Jagannathan) goes home to India, and she has to deal with her high-brow socialite mother who is so very busy with up keeping status than to worry about the well-being of her daughter. I just love how an Indian woman was portrayed in such a high position of power. It just breaks the norm of Indian woman having to play the role of subservience. The kids are grown, and the parents are allowed to live their lives any which way they choose, and they should be judged for that. Anyway, that’s something that stood out to me.

Q) The show has very important conversations about race that it manages to handle very well and on top of that to include comedy around it. What do you think it does differently from other comedies?

A) I think the show goes beyond race, honestly. Yes, it deals with a lot of issues that people of color are going through, but I think it transcends all norms. I mean, the show gives every marginalized group out there a chance to be on screen and deal with real issues that end up having comedic results. What other comedies do that? To have a melting pot that is America, encapsulated at a high school in Sherman Oaks. There’s gay, lesbian, trans, black, white, Asian, South Asian, Latin X, weird, cool, robots… I think this show stands as a beacon to Hollywood and to the rest of the world that it’s not just black and white out there. That there are so many marginalized people of all backgrounds who deserve a chance to shine.

Q) You played Dr. Vik Roy on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Grey’s Anatomy B-Team,” nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding short form Drama/Comedy this past year. What was your time like while on the show?

A) Thank you! It was absolutely amazing to get a chance to go play every single day. To be on set and try new things and if something didn’t come out as planned, having the option to let it go and try something different the next day – I miss that. And working with the OG’s has taught me so much about acting and about set life; how to channel my energy on long days so I don’t get burnt out

Q) Some of your other roles also include released thriller anthology indie film “Phobias” as Billy McNerny, a sci-fi alien comedy “Useless Humans” where you play the Louis and “iCarly” in the guest star role of Luke Tyler. Has there been any feedback that has stood out the most?

A) I wouldn’t say I have any particular feedback that stood out to me except feedback to myself and that is to not put so much weight on things and to just relax into it. It’s certainly easier said than done. I think that just comes with experience

Q) Do you have any other upcoming projects you would like to let your fans know about?

A) Oh man! It has certainly been a very busy year. All my recent projects came out this year, so very cool! I got to play so many different characters and grow so much from each one. You know, as an actor we are just constantly looking for what’s next because that’s how we measure our self-worth, instead of taking time to appreciate where we have been and what we’ve done. I mean, I just leveled up! So, I am navigating this new level and trying to figure out what new skills I need to add to my utility belt and where I see myself in the next five years.

Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and your work?

A) To my fans and supporters, I love you all. You keep us and the industry going because without you, TV and film wouldn’t exist! But I also would like to remind you not to forget that we are just actors playing pretend. I know you get very invested in the characters and stories and sometimes take it so personal that you have to express your opinions in a comment or a tweet and don’t think anyone reads it. But people do. I take everything with a grain of salt, but there are others out there who don’t feel the same as you. Take a second to check yourself, re-read what you are typing and see if anyone else said that you, whether you’d be hurt by it or not. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect, but a little compassion goes a long way.