Bridge the Culture

Why did the chicken cross the bridge? To meet with Jas on the other side! Joining him is Rahul Chaturvedi, the writer/director of a new short film called "Forbidden Tikka Masala." It is available to view now on Omeleto's YouTube channel. Make sure to check it out and leave comments (Rahul reads every single one). The film tackles what happens when an older South Asian woman and devout vegetarian accidentally eats chicken for the first time at her retirement party. It's a coming of old age flick unlike one you've ever seen. Rahul walks us through the making, from the idea's genesis and the casting of actress Baljinder Johal ("Beeba Boys," "Heaven on Earth"), to its successful festival run and now online release. We also discuss the process of discovering the comedy past the concept, and finding our artistic voices while doing so. In these quarantined times, it was great to be in the room together and talk shop with a fellow filmmaker. And if you're looking for more content like this, hit up B-Raja TV, your home for South Asian American entertainment! Watch the Film Outro

In these quarantined times, aren't we all just looking for a BIFL of our own? Not sure what a BIFL is? Well I got just the podcast (and web series) for you! On the bridge this week we have Anisha Adusumilli, an actor out of LA who over the years has had appearances on NBC's "Outsourced," Fox's "New Girl," and CBS' "How I Met Your Mother" and "NCIS: Los Angeles," among many others. Anisha talks to Jas about growing up in Ohio expressing herself through dancing and singing, to eventually discovering acting at UCLA (and finally becoming a California girl), to balancing the pursuit of Theater and Business Economics. She is the lead of a new web series called "BIFL," who's entire first season can be binged now on RevryTV! It's a LGBTQIA+ comedy/drama that deals with those identities, expectations, different shades of intimacy, and what it really means to love someone. Tune in to be a part of #TeamBIFL and support them as well as B-RajaTV, your home for South Asian American entertainment! Intro Outro Watch the Series

Swipe right on the bridge! Jas talks to Kabir Chopra, the writer/director/actor of a phenomenal new web series called "Swiped to Death." It explores the messy realities of online dating, told from the perspective of two recently single South Asians in New York as they try their luck on a new dating app. Taking inspiration from his own and friends' numerous stories, Kabir's crafted a show in which each episode is based on a real-life date that went terribly wrong. You can binge watch the entire first season now at www.swipedtodeath.com. Kabir talks about his origins into filmmaking out of New York, the concept of creating the show, and the five year journey to finally bring it to the screen. Tune in to find out why even Ernest Hemingway was quoted as saying, "This is some CW shit!" If you haven't already, find more content like this at B-Raja TV, your home for South Asian American home entertainment! Intro Outro Season 1

Things get inspirational on the bridge this week as Jas sits down with actor-producers Raja Deka and Sabrina Percario to discuss "The Venom Brothers," an intense short film about estranged foster brothers dealing with a dark family past. You can watch it now on B-RajaTV (the home for South Asian American content, don't ya know?). Things however, quickly turn to talk of finding our purpose and the role our parents play in our life's journeys. Raja went from working with NASA and globetrotting for the CIA to pursuing his real passion for acting on such Emmy award-winning shows as "Homeland," "Black-ish," "Speechless," and "Arrested Development." Likewise, Sabrina's road from Brazil to Hollywood made her a multi-award winning actress and producer known for "Julia," "Be(lie)f," and "Open Mic." Together, they founded Touch A Life Productions, and Global Human Services, a nonprofit organization that focuses on building free medical clinics in regions of the world who have the highest maternal and infant mortality rates. To learn more about all their endeavors, visit www.touchalifeproductions.com. Intro Outro

Music always finds a way, and that couldn't be more true of our guest on the bridge this week. From singing karaoke as a kid, to the stages of "American Idol," to finally finding a place on the Chicago scene, singer/songwriter Shubha Vedula has carried a tune at every age and opportunity. We talk her start in music, the experience of making the Top 20 Females on "American Idol," and how she continues to create content and work on her craft during this quarantine. Tune in to discover Shubha's once favorite Indian soap opera, why Nicki Minaj doesn't hold a candle to Indian aunty judges, and there's also a special appearance by a wild turkey! Never a dull moment on the bridge, so check us out on B-RajaTV, your home for South Asian American home entertainment! Intro Outro