India on precipice of amazing, undeniable global soft power: Comedian Vir Das
"I think something that the diaspora does really well is protect culture," Das said here during a special interaction hosted at Asia Society.
Das, who won the 2023 International Emmy for Best Comedy for his comedy special Landing, said amid applause and laughter from the audience at the event that what he finds "lovely" about the Indian diaspora is that while they have an American accent and American values, but "at your shaadi, you (dance) to Mehendi laga ke rakhna".
The Asia Society event on Thursday was presented in collaboration with global media platform, community and agency South Asian Trailblazers and was held on the eve of the premiere of Das's latest comedy special Vir Das: Fool Volume.
"India is on the precipice of an amazing, undeniable global soft power, and it only translates when the bridge happens from me to you. So we are both ends carrying that soft power," Das said, a message for the Indian diaspora settled across the world.
"We are both guardians of India's soft power at an equal level."
Citing the example of Indian actor and singer Diljit Dosanjh, who became the first Punjabi singer to perform at the popular Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California in 2023, Das said, "When Diljit performs at Coachella, that is an amazing, undeniable thing. The diaspora has to show up to pack Coachella. When he shows up in India, we'll pack it for him. But when he comes to Coachella, show up, for modern Indian culture".
your child would be better served by creating that mindset," Das said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
22 minutes ago
- NDTV
"Shilpa Shirodkar Was Shot Dead": Actor Recalls Film Shoot
New Delhi: Shilpa Shirodkar was once rumoured to have been shot dead during the shoot of the film Raghuveer (1995). Later, the producer revealed that it was a promotional stunt. However, there was an ambience of panic at Shilpa's house as soon as the rumour was spread. What's Happening In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Shilpa Shirodkar shared what actually happened on a film set and how the rumour that she was shot dead became a truth back in the day. "I was in Kullu Manali. My dad was trying to call the hotel because we didn't have mobile phones at that time. I was shooting with Suniel Shetty there. Everyone who was watching the shoot there kept thinking if this is Shilpa or someone else because they knew the news," she said. Shilpa added, "When I came back to the room, there were around 20-25 missed calls. My parents were worried, there was a headline in a newspaper that Shilpa Shirodkar was shot dead." Later, the producer of the film revealed to her that it was a promotional strategy. "When he told me, I was like 'Okay'. Yes, thoda zyada hogaya. There was no PR activity or anything at that time. Kuch pata hi nahi tha na. I was the last one to know that something like this was going to happen. No one used to take permission at that time. The film worked well, so I wasn't really angry," the actor shared. The film had a stellar cast including Suniel Shetty as the main lead, alongside Shilpa Shirodkar, Suresh Oberoi, Sudha Chandran, Mohnish Bahl, Aruna Irani, Gulshan Grover, and Prem Chopra. Shilpa Shirodkar will next be seen in the pan-Indian film Jatadhara. About Shilpa Shirodkar Shilpa Shirodkar is the sister of actor Namrata Shirodkar and the sister-in-law of Mahesh Babu. In recent times, she had participated in the reality show Bigg Boss 18 against the wishes of her sister and family. Later, Shilpa reunited with her family. In A Nutshell
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
22 minutes ago
- First Post
‘Public ke saamne yeh dikhate ho...': Former Pakistan cricketer exposes Indian players' double standard after WCL boycott
Former Pakistan pacer has slammed Indian players like Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Shikhar Dhawan for double standards after the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions clash was cancelled in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) due to public outrage over political tensions. read more Former Pakistan pacer Abdur Rauf Khan has slammed Indian players for what he believes are double standards after the India Champions vs Pakistan Champions match was cancelled in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) in Birmingham on Sunday. The much-anticipated clash was scrapped following social media outrage and Indian players pulling out of the contest due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan after the recent Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. But Rauf criticised the behaviour of some Indian players, including Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, and Shikhar Dhawan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read: 'My heart was shattered and I was on verge of tears': Harbhajan Singh reveals heartbreaking words from Sreesanth's daughter on IPL slapgate Rauf slams Indian players These players initially had no problems playing Pakistan in the WCL 2025, but as soon as a section of the public started criticising them, their stance changed. As a result, the organisers had to cancel the Indo-Pak clash. 'Public ke saamne yeh dikhate ho ki hum nahi khelenge, aur saath mein ghumoge and shopping karoge, yeh unfair hai [You show the public that you won't play each other, but behind the scenes you travel Shahid Afridi and Yuvraj Singh together and go shopping - that's unfair],' Abdur Rauf Khan was quoted as saying in the Times of India. 'They hang around together, eat together, party together then when it comes to playing a match, why do they portray a different picture in front of the public? It's not just Pakistani players - even Indian players feel it. We've played together, shared dressing rooms, eaten together, gone shopping on tours, stayed in each other's hotel rooms - we're friends off the field. To then portray such a hard divide to the public like 'we won't play them' - that creates unnecessary hype,' Rauf said. 'Behind the scenes, the reality is very different. The fans, who come with so much excitement and emotion, are left disappointed. It's not a good look for cricket. We owe better to the game and its fans,' he added. Also Read: Rauf urges ICC to intervene India-Pakistan ties have been strained since the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir in April. After the attack was confirmed to have come from Pakistani soil, India launched an operation to target terror camps inside Pakistan. Since then, there have been calls to boycott Pakistan across all sectors, including sports. Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan was the first to publicly announce that he would not play against Pakistan Champions in the WCL, citing the current situation. The sponsors also pulled out due to pressure from the public and the match had to be called off. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'My consistent view has been to keep politics and cricket separate. A year or two of tension may halt cricket, but once relations normalize, matches resume anyway. So why stop in the first place?… So yes, both governments should sit down and sign an agreement that cricket and sports will continue regardless of external conditions. Political tensions may come and go, but sports should not suffer,' Rauf said. 'You can't permanently shut this down. Tensions might last for a year or two, but ultimately the countries reconnect. So why halt sports in the first place?… That's why I believe there should be a clear framework or agreement ensuring continuity. Political issues will persist due to geographical realities - but let sports breathe. Let it flourish,' he added. 'The issues between India and Pakistan have been long-standing. Sometimes they escalate, sometimes relations improve. When relations are good, cricket resumes. When tensions rise, everything is shut down. Unfortunately, the fans are the ones who suffer the most… I believe there should be a formal agreement that regardless of political tensions, ICC-sanctioned events or bilateral tournaments should continue uninterrupted,' Rauf concluded. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Kalki Koechlin says was harassed as a student by big-shot Indian producer at Cannes; recalls casting couch experience in Mumbai: ‘Felt disgust'
Many actors have faced casting couch experiences in their careers and have spoken openly about the same. Recently, Kalki Koechlin talked about facing harassment twice — once when she was just a student, by a big shot Indian producer at Cannes. She shared how she got out of the situation and how she still feels 'disgust' looking back at the incident. Speaking to Zoom, Kalki opened up about facing harassment at Cannes years ago when she was working as a promo girl for a mobile brand at the festival. She revealed that she was a student at that time, studying in London. She said, 'I have been into incidences where I have been in uncomfortable situations. One such incidence wasn't in this industry. It was at Cannes. I was not even an actor, I was a student in London at that time and I had gone to Cannes as a promo girl for Nokia phones. There was an Indian producer, I'm not going to say the name. He knew somebody who knew my mother and they put me in touch with him saying, 'Meet him, he is a big guy.' So, I met him and went to see his screening at Cannes. He then asked me out for dinner in London, and when I asked him about any leads in work at that point, he made it very clear that I have to be with him in order for that to happen. I, obviously, said no, thank you, and that was the end of that.' Kalki faced harassment again in Mumbai, where a producer directly approached her. Recalling the incident, she said, 'The other time it happened was when I went for an audition here in Mumbai for a film and the producer said, 'Oh you want to do this film, but I need to get to know you because it's a big launch.' He was basically saying the same thing, but I said, 'I'm sorry. I don't want to waste your time or mine.'' Kalki admitted that although she felt rage in those moments, her first instinct as a woman was to leave the vicinity of the producers for her own safety. Sharing her thoughts, she said, 'I have a raging fury inside me. I want to punch that person in the face but like any other woman, I tell myself to keep it in and just get out of the situation, cause it is also out of safety and other reasons. It's kind of disgust, kind of experience.'
