At Last, Real American Indians

American television is casting Indian actors in roles that go beyond stereotypes

A recent girl crush on Cecilia ‘Cece’ Meyers, played by Hannah Simone, in the comedy New Girl helped one stumble over a heart-warming discovery. Simone is half Indian, and plays a full-blooded one in the show as well. But instead of acting like a confused American desi who talks about ‘traditions’ and oils her hair every other day, Hannah as Cece is the gorgeous, unattainable supermodel. You felt like screaming ‘Hallelujah!’ Finally, there is an Indian female character on an American sitcom who doesn’t talk in an Indian accent or wants to be a virgin till her marriage. Cece is sexy, wants to experiment in bed, but also takes her boyfriend to meet her dadi in an old-age home. It’s easy to digest that small, yet sentimental Indian touch. The best part? The umpteen references made in the show to the ‘Indian hottie’.

It’s been a long wait to see an Indian hottie on American popular television. Usually, Indians are typecast as nerdy or conservative, never hot. But, American TV seems to be catching up. In the fourth season of The Big Bang Theory, we meet Priya Koothrappali, played by Aarti Mann, the sister of Raj, who dates one of the main characters, Leonard. She is a lawyer, stunningly beautiful and seen as a catch for Leonard. She quotes Shakespeare, has sex in the shower and wears smart yet sexy pant suits.

Where were these women until now? And when Sheldon, the scientist who wouldn’t date a girl even if his life depended on it, describes one of Raj’s Indian dates as a princess, well, you were glad. Instead of the awkward, ugly Indian, it’s now the turn of the exotic yet modern and intelligent Indian woman to take centrestage.

And then there is the sassy Noureen DeWulf, who stars opposite Charlie Sheen in his new show Anger Management. Thank God she decided to ditch roles like the accented secretary she played in Matthew McConaughey’s Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. She now plays Lacey, a spoilt rich girl sentenced to join a therapy group after shooting her boyfriend when he cheats on her. Now even if she doesn’t play an Indian on the show, having a desi girl who believes in using the gun when she gets angry is a step forward. Does it get more American than that?

About The Author

Aastha Atray Banan