Kal Penn - Impact on Indian-American Society

Real Name: Kalpen Modi DOB: April 23, 1977 Birthplace: Montclair, New Jersey

It was his acting in Where's the Party Yaar and American Desi, that put Kal Penn on the map within the Indian American community. But his roles in National Lampoon's Van Wilder, Malibu's Most Wanted, and Harold and Kumar is what burst him into American cinema popularity.

Kal is a graduate of UCLA like the authors of this website and gets many many props for his success.

Destroying the Indian-American Stereotype

Indian-Americans have been known in American cinema as 7-11 owners, gas station owners, hotel owners and were almost always portrayed as balding, pot-bellied buffoons with accents. That was until Kal Penn showed that Indian-Americans were just like every other American.

After the expected releases of Harold and Kumar Go to Amsterdam, and Van Wilder 2: Rise of the Taj, Kal Penn will sure to be a household name. For now he still isn't. When mentioning his name, I have usually gotten the "WHO?" response. But saying "The Indian from Harold and Kumar" is all it takes to get a "Oh yeah".

Unchartered Territory

Kal Penn is walking where no other Indian-American has gone. His success in popular American blockbuster hits is a first for all Indians.

Good Guy / Bad Guy

Kal plays one of the bad guys in Superman Returns. He smokes pot in Harold and Kumar. Not your typical Asian, is he?

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