Jaipur, Feb 2 (PTI) – Hollywood actor Kal Penn, one of the first Indian-origin stars to make a mark in the U.S. film industry, reminisces about his childhood summers in Mumbai, where he would be captivated by hand-painted Bollywood posters. Now, at 47, he cherishes a lifelong admiration for Indian cinema, with Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic "Don" poster adorning his office wall in the U.S.
“‘Don’ is such a classic, and I have a massive original poster of it in my office. It's huge,” Penn shared in an interview at the Jaipur Literature Festival 2024, where he was a guest.
The actor, known for his versatile roles—from the introspective Gogol in The Namesake to the carefree Kumar Patel in the Harold & Kumar franchise—expressed his desire to collaborate with Indian filmmakers.
A Hollywood ‘Don’ Remake?
During a session at the festival on January 31, Penn revealed his dream project: a Hollywood remake of "Don" set in Ohio, with himself in the lead role. While the idea remains aspirational, his enthusiasm for Indian cinema is undeniable.“I grew up watching these incredible films and admiring the artistry behind them. I would love to work with Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, and filmmaker Karan Johar,” he said. He also praised filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, whom he met on The Daily Show last year, and recalled working with Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga in The Ashram (2018).
Open to Bollywood, But Needs a Heads-Up for Hindi
Penn, whose Indian-American identity has shaped his career choices, remains open to working in Bollywood but has one request: “Just give me a two-month heads-up so I can brush up on my Hindi!”A Surprise Visit to ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’
A self-proclaimed fan of Indian TV dramas, Penn has an amusing Bollywood-meets-Hollywood story from his recent visit to India.Having once expressed his love for the Indian soap opera Saath Nibhana Saathiya, he was thrilled when Asit Modi, creator of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, personally invited him to the show's set.
“I was like, ‘Oh man!’ And he said, ‘I would love to have you visit the set sometime.’ I replied, ‘I 100 percent would love to stop by!’” Penn recounted, laughing.
What amazed him most was the longevity of the show, which has been on air for 17 years with daily episodes—a stark contrast to the 24-episode seasons typical in Hollywood.
“I told him, ‘I would love that kind of job stability because in the U.S., you’re lucky if you get a full season!’” he quipped.
Ready for More Global Collaborations
With his diverse filmography and love for storytelling, Penn remains open to projects across genres and borders. “I love the cross-section of art and would absolutely love to continue working in India.”For now, Bollywood filmmakers, take note—Kal Penn is ready, scripts welcome!