TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I'm DOING

Abhay (00:00.098)
Hey friends, this is Abhay Dandekar. Before we get started, don't forget to subscribe to Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing on YouTube, Amazon, Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen or watch. That way you never miss our show celebrating the vibrant Indian and South Asian global experience. Thanks.

Hey, I'm Paras Patel. I'm an actor and this is Trust Me. I know what I'm doing.

My name is Abhay Dandekar and I share conversations with talented and interesting individuals linked to the global Indian and South Asian community. It's informal and informative, adding insights to our evolving cultural expressions, where each person can proudly say, trust me, I know what I'm doing.

Hi everyone, on this episode of Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing, we share a conversation with actor Paras Patel. Stay tuned.

Abhay (01:00.962)
Welcome everybody to this episode of Trust Me, I Know What I'm Doing. So in a way, I think honestly that acting and truly any expression by Indian Americans is such a great way to share a window into the sheer diversity of our community and who we are. But it's also a close look into that kind of collective mirror to see the talent and skills of so many emerging artists out there. And that's why I'm so pleased to welcome Paras Patel on

Trust me, I know what I'm doing. Paras is best known for his role as Matthew on the Amazon Prime series, The Chosen. And he's appeared in a number of other film and television projects over the past decade. And most importantly, he is now the 10th Patel to be on our show. And it is so terrific to share some time with him. Paras, thank you so much for joining me this morning.

Paras
glad to be in the tenth percentile of Patels or the top ten that you had so far.

You're the 10th, the latest, and the most important as of today. And I'm actually, honestly, out of almost 300 plus guests now, only having 10 Patels, I'm a little shocked that that number's so low.

I know that everyone's just like, that the only her name out of India and everything like that. So you got to up your Patel game, my friend.

Abhay (02:19.594)
I think that's a great way to put it. have to up my Patel game. That's true. Listen, you're someone who's had, you know, such a global level of interest and following, but we were just chatting briefly about like sort of our origins and whatnot, and at least in the US, but you know, in your head, are you still just a kid who's living out his dream from Florida?

Paras
Yeah, truthfully, think that's kind of the best way to operate and to be genuine and to kind of show the world who you really are is to never stray away from your humble beginning. You know, for me, moving out to LA about 12 years ago to pursue this dream I had, I had a lot of obstacles in my way. know, plenty of people around here saying like, you know, there's not a space for people like me or we won't make it or there's no rules and things like that. So it was a welcome challenge.

that I kind of thought through and booking the chosen kind of at the moment we were such a small show and it kind of just blew up on its own. So from those experiences, just kind of, think when you've been through something and been through your low lows, it's hard to let your successes or your highs change you because those moments that break you have also been to build you as well and lead you to where you are.

And I kind of just utilize that. So yeah, I'm still that Florida boy, loves to watch Bollywood films, to do the Bollywood dancing and all that stuff. And I think that's kind of what anyone's essence should be is, you know, a lot of times in acting class, they're like, you know, find your inner child to bring out that emotion or to like react and be spontaneous. And so I kind of hold my inner child's hand now in my roles and things that I do.

Also just you want, I think people are attracted to someone that you can see as genuinely having fun. And I think the world needs to see that too. And that's great.

Abhay (04:19.138)
Yeah, no, no, no, that's so important. love that. I'm holding my inner child's hand as you walk through this. And, you know, this idea that like, you know, we have that sort of safe space, that comforting space, that, you know, kind of nostalgia for the idea of us being children. And I imagine that being in Hollywood, in the acting, in the arts environment, it can be both super invigorating and it can feel sort of lonely at times as well.

In order to get through that sort of safely, is that where that inner child, I mean, not just to be your best self on, on camera, but also kind of deal with the, you know, not get too seduced by those highs and not get too down by those lows. that the best vehicle to kind of accelerate balance so far? I mean, do you have to keep reminding yourself of like, you know, Hey, these are my roots. These are, this is who I am. These are my people. This is my tribe, you know, that kind of stuff.

That's such a great question and such an important thing to ask, I feel, because I think a lot of people can resonate how other people deal with things. To answer your question, as this show got more more popular, I found that my public, my private life, it was just hard to kind of protect that. so in an interesting way, I was kind of forced to brick on myself because, you know, it just being in the public eye a lot and then the pressures that come with it and then also just

you know, wanting to stay true to yourself and things like that. Like different things happen. So it's like, I always remember like, you know, all these actors that are established and, on their way, like, you know, I want to be there. I always like put that on my vision boards as a goal to aspire to. And in a way, like I don't really recognize where I am. I think I'm just kind of keeping myself like, I just feel like everything is timed for you. So I just, don't want to be in the present of

I'm at this level. want to keep working towards that. So I kind of live in the dark a little bit about that. knowing how popular the show is and kind of getting recognized and things like that, you do realize like, this is becoming more and more well known. have to be protective of my privacy and my friends and my family who I hang out with. So, you know, the loneliness factor did start to build up a little bit and it was kind of hard for me to handle at first. But that taught me to really work on myself, seek help if I needed it or when I needed it.

Paras (06:46.476)
And also just find things that really make me happy. know, I, in the past year and a half, I really learned just the concept of being by yourself. I know that might sound odd, but there was a moment where I didn't know how to be by myself. Like I didn't know what to do. Like, and I felt depressed. And, and so I, I've been on this journey of just kind of finding what Paras likes and, just, you know, doing things that interest me outside of acting because

Those things will fuel your acting and will help you open up new perspectives. So it's been this cool journey that I guess I'm on right now and I'm kind of living it to the fullest because I want to better myself and I think everyone should have that goal in them and I hope this inspires other people. But it's been very interesting and I think that all has to do with the global success of this show because I was not expecting it to be to the level it's at.

Yeah, no, mean, you all of a sudden there's a sort of microscopic lens on you from every possible angle and you want to embrace it, but you also want to shelter yourself from it. And at the same time, work on yourself as, you kind of grow through that. these kind of natural? I mean, with people that you know, in the industry and like, you know, as having, finding the success of this show, are these kind of like natural quantum levels that you just have to go through in this career and really figure it out?

And like you said, you know, almost have to take a step away from yourself so you can, can work on that. But at, with each successful project, is there an element of this that you have to sort of practice and, the next time you're on a project that may, you know, gain popularity, this becomes perhaps maybe a little bit easier or how do you, how do you navigate those little leaps that you have to make sometimes in this journey?

It's been one those moments of you're discovering it as you move along. know, like I mentioned earlier, The Chosen just started out of the web series and there was little, very minimal funding to it. And, you know, we kind of filmed our first four episodes, not knowing if we'll even finish telling our first season, because it was an eight episode season one show. And so we finally got the money to finish that next, the last four episodes towards the end of the following summer.

Paras (09:01.838)
It just kind of blew up after that, especially during the COVID times. And I think it taught us all to kind of just, I don't believe in an overnight success. I think the world sees someone just arriving in media and they're like, oh, this is an overnight success, but you're working towards that goal. So that's not what to say this was, but this was just an overnight, just, just people started discovering the show. I'm lucky that I'm not a cast, a huge ensemble cast of like 20 people.

And we kind of are living this experience together. And so a lot of our big decisions or big moments in our lives are all coinciding together. So we have each other to kind of lean on and be like, so how are you navigating this space for, know, say you unintentionally get fan mail to your personal residence. How do you deal with that? So, so we're kind of learning the day to day lessons together. And I think it's just making this whole experiment experience experiment, this experience that much more enriching and,

memorable for me. so what I, you know, to answer that briefly, it's just, we're kind of just going through it, navigating the waters together, you know, all of us, but I think that's where you learn the most.

great. Yeah. And it's nice to have a sort of professional family that you go through, you know, this together and, right. mean, like, and, there, there are surprise questions about like, you know, how do you deal with some of these things that are not necessarily everyday phenomenon for anyone else, but others, you know, in that space can totally relate to it. Certainly in thinking about the chosen, I've read where you shared that playing Matthew portraying a character who's

Yeah, yeah.

Abhay (10:39.672)
got, you know, is on the autism spectrum has given you this kind of sense of purpose. And I just wonder, is that something that caught you by surprise at all? Were you sort of prepared to sort of discover this sense of purpose? Or do you think that was more of a sort of slow build over time?

No, I would genuinely say it was a slow build. As far as like what I was always been this empathetic person and you know, I have this deep care for animals, but also this deep care for people that shy, misunderstood, or just often navigate just briefly below the limelight or like the light, you know, if you follow what I'm saying. Cause I was that kid.

That's how I grew up. I grew up, know, I, you know, I told you earlier, I, I, I hold my inner child hand. I didn't do that growing up. I was always just, especially assimilating into the country. You know, I was born here, but I guess I grew up trying to not really value my inner child. And I think now I'm in this era of saying, no, you, you made me who I am today. And so, you know, when I think of Matthew and my portrayal of Matthew, that's kind of how I see him. And just to see.

not only the autistic community, just the neurodivergent community as a whole and seeing many people relate to him and just see that through his journeys and obstacles and how he's really grown into himself. They feel like they can do that to themselves or they can apply that and learn from it. It's just really rare to have a role that's really impacting people, not only in the States, but globally. You know, I've been through different countries for premieres and I really, you get the same comments and the same love and the same just...

encouragement and so you know it's really helping people and I think that that's where I started to realize this is what I was meant here to do and and kind of really just you know show people the version of themselves maybe through Matthew.

Abhay (12:35.35)
And it's kind of fun when that kind of merging happens, right? That like, you have this very unique background and you have your own personal experiences that are specific to you. And then you're put into this place where unexpectedly now you find yourself being sort of a champion of this particular character, but then also what that represents. And I imagine that that must actually feel great, you know, when it has it, but also carries some responsibilities if you take on that mantle as well. And is that something that you've found?

with the purpose that you speak of, that there is that sense of responsibility to ensure that that gets portrayed in the right way and that people who are in that neurodiversion space have a voice and ambassador, if you will.

Yeah, you know, that's that kind of how I've coined myself as the ambassador to the neurodiversion community. You know, when the show first cast, it's while it's series regulars, this was about seven, seven, eight years ago. And so the push towards authentic roles wasn't as growing as it is now and as strong as it is now. And so I remember when the show did do its successful, you know, just started blowing up. I kind of felt guilty to take a space from someone that

Might have been on the spectrum and an actor and I know that might have been a rare fool to find especially if you're portraying someone from you know, the Middle East and so I remember just thinking to myself like I This is where I should really show my support and and show that I see them I I am with them and I will do everything I can to raise their platform and raise their life and there's also a degree of just feeling passionate I feel

passionate about this and I want to genuinely help this community. You know, there things happening in the new cycle right now and I just feel like raising more awareness will help educate people and I think, and I'm doing that and I'm going to continue to do that. I actually call it the Matthew Legisky after this series ends next year. I'm working with some organizations that do provide sensory inclusivity and I'm going to keep building that and I think this is what my journey is moving outside of this.

Abhay (14:46.222)
it's great. And on top of that, it's a feeling of service, right? That you're providing certainly the joy of acting and fulfilling in your career, but that fulfillment actually is so deeply enriched by giving and how much there is in service with that. You're listening to Trust Me, I Know What I'm Doing. After a quick break, let's rejoin our chat with actor Badus Patel. Stay tuned.

Abhay (15:18.446)
Conversation. It's the antidote to apathy and the catalyst for relationships. I'm Abhay Dandekar and I share conversations with global Indians and South Asians so everyone can say, trust me, I know what I'm doing. New episodes weekly wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Abhay (15:42.818)
Hi, I'm Vivek Murthy. I'm the 21st Surgeon General of the United States, and you're listening to Trust Me, I Know What

doing.

Paras (15:59.512)
Hi, I'm Karan Soni. Hello everyone, my name is Tan France. Hi, I'm Lilly Singh

Hi, I'm Sanjeev Bhaskar. I'm an actor and a writer. You're listening to Trust.

me. I know what I'm doing.

Abhay (16:18.232)
Welcome back to Trust Me, I Know What I'm Doing. Let's rejoin our conversation now with actor, Badus Patel. I'm curious as you speak of like, again, holding your inner child's hand and going through the journey as an actor in Hollywood, also recognizing that there's a purpose about this. What have you actually, in a way, had to unlearn about yourself in order to find your place?

Because it's, uh, know, still, uh, unlearning some stuff too. I, but I think that's the journey of being human. And I think if we lean into those things, it just makes things easier and don't put too much pressure on yourself. I think that's a big thing. A lot of things I felt like I've had to unlearn is just, um, one of them is like, you know, I think this has to do with technology, but just like expecting a response immediately. And I'm realizing with myself, that's what I do to others.

I expect that in return, but also I've learned that that's not the healthiest way sometimes because it's usually an emotional response if you reply immediately to certain things. And so I've really taken that time to unlearn that habit of mine of, I get this email. I have to do this right away. The workaholic mentality or maybe the Indian boy working, I don't know, just the school child and me just always getting those straight A's is still alive. But that's kind of something I've had to unlearn it and realize that you need to take a

You need to just take a moment and slow down. I think that's a big thing is slowing down. think we wait for the immediate response, the immediate now, even auditioning or just working towards your career. It takes time. All the best things take time. And so that's something I really had to unlearn. And I think in a way that means patience as well. yeah, there's probably one example I can think of right on the top of my head. I've probably got plenty. I'll email you.

There you go. I may not respond right away, but sure.

Paras (18:17.326)
I'll take a minute to get past the emotional response, but I'll definitely give you a few more learning mechanisms I've had to adjust to.

It's so funny, I remember speaking with an actor who's on Broadway named Adi Roy, and he was saying that auditioning is really the job, but the byproduct of that is what you celebrate. And so the roles that you get, and you speak of this like, you know, sort of patience and building these pauses automatically, that that's not something that always comes so naturally to people either. you know, for you, I mean, in kind of learning to let go of some of that,

fast Twitch responding, you know, over, over time, at least has it allowed you to actually be a better auditioner, if you will, or someone who's now a little bit, you know, prepared differently for some of the roles that you have to think about, you know, whether that's current or in the future.

Yeah, definitely. think, you know, anytime you find things to help yourself unlearn habits that aren't really helping you, that all comes useful into the workspace for, you know, the auditioning space for me. And so I've definitely utilized that. You know, sometimes when I read a script or look at, you know, the scenes I have to do, I'll do something called marinating, which I'll just, look at it, but then put it away. And then I'll be thinking about it, but I'll still move on my day.

kind of do things to relax my mind and not get into stress mode. So for me, it's like going to the gym or being outside or something like that. So it's definitely helped with that. I think as the show has just done what it's done, it's really, that's also helped me and aided me and to try and not hold expectations and then instant things can change, the better or for the worse.

Paras (20:09.792)
Of course you want every role you audition for, but you that's not always the way and you just gotta tell yourself I gave it my all and on to the next.

You you think about the fast Twitch, sort of responding and developing that patience and also, you know, giving yourself the grace to move on from the things that you do on a day-to-day basis. But I'm just so curious if your background in finance actually somehow bleeds into the acting work this way where, you've, you've, know, what that, that world potentially is like.

You know, 100 % you know, my background in finance, 100 % helped me budget my first almost six years out in LA. It's expensive. And I came out with savings. And you know, I did things from like day trading to just genuinely like, you know, putting my money into good places so I can have some residual income because you know, when you audition out here, you were going into all the studios and all the spaces like you need to have a free day.

And so it was really hard to kind of find the timing for a job and I didn't work out for me. So I just, I really utilized my background in finance to really just teach me the value of the dollar. Even more. think I grew up knowing the value of the dollar, but also just, yeah, it really helped me. It also helped me with my accounting because I did, I did learn how to, how to save pretty well. And then just also I was doing my own taxes for a while until I was like, this is, I don't have the time. And then.

A lot of my friends started coming to me for our financial fund. So that was great. But, know, I've retired. Not yet, but you yeah.

Abhay (21:45.73)
Well, mean, like it allows you to win in adulting, right? That's probably the first victory that anyone can have as a young adult in America as well.

Yeah, well, I just needed to tell my parents, hey, look, this degree I got is put to you some way. There you go. Right. So, you know.

Well, mean, speaking of which, I other than your name, mean, like our names are what identify us first and foremost as, you know, kind of who we are, but our background, our heritage, our culture, et cetera. But other than your name, are there elements of being Indian American, Gujarati American, Hindu American, South Asian American, like all the tags that we put on ourselves, are there any of those elements that kind of speak to you on a day-to-day basis and like are ingrained in your sort of everyday

practice, so to speak.

First and foremost, when I'm working out, my playlist is Bollywood music, 90s Bollywood to be specific. I'm getting into an emotional space, 90s Bollywood, that's where I grew up with my mom. know, every Friday night would go to our local Indian store and bring home the newest movie. And we would eat like Pani Puri, pale and just have, and pizza and just have a good Friday night. And that's kind of how I grew up every summer as a kid up until I want to say like early high school.

Paras (23:04.418)
was in India for two months with my mom and spending time there. felt, I didn't feel like I was such a fish out of water when I was in India, even though the whole, they can tell that we're NRIs and this and that, but growing up, it was such a different experience for me than how life was here and how, cause it was hard for me to make friends and keep them honestly out here. And in India, it was just a different, it was just different. And so I just loved being there. And my first interest in the arts was through a Bollywood film.

specifically a Govinda movie, know, and Ajay Kumar and all those actors and veterans that I see now. So that kind of made me interested in this space. That's the Indianess in me. Gujarati at heart, Celebration of Ra 3, loves Garba Ras and all that stuff. I performed in my college teams competitively. So my roots have always been in me. And I think that's what I've used to build who I am today. And what's great is that I can tell everyone about it and kind of...

make people more aware of my background. And it's just been, it's been pretty cool to get a platform like that because like I said, raising more awareness creates safer spaces. And I think our community needs that.

Yeah, no, it's all about those windows and mirrors. And on top of that, you say a lot of that with such pride and both nostalgia and also sort of living it on a day-to-day basis. I'm wondering now that as someone who has been through that kind of game of being an actor in Hollywood and finding some success with The Chosen and in the endeavors that you have had, what's it like today in 2025 to be an Indian American?

artist or actor, do you think that the landscape had, obviously it's changed over the last decade, but are there significant leaps that the community has made beyond just the visibility part, but like now even being in positions of power or in influence to be able to kind of like shape storytelling and narratives. And from an actor's perspective, do you think that there is sufficiently

Abhay (25:12.364)
work been done or are we far away from where we need to be?

It takes a slow build. takes time to get to where we want to be. Do I feel like we are there? Have I felt that way? I don't think I've ever felt like it's happening. It's a slow change. You know, it's been great to see roles out there that specifically call for someone that's Indian or from the Indian continent. And, you know, they are actively seeking that. And there's some great movies coming out from experiences I went through as as a American or an Indian.

That kind of stuff is happening, but I just feel like there's such a push to make it happen. think the obstacles are greater. And I think that, you if there's anything I know about our community is that we're resilient and people will champion stories being told. I'm always hopeful that it'll just be more and, you know, we'll get the platform that we deserve. you know, that comes also from behind the scenes. It comes from, you know, producers, directors, even casting directors, recognizing

Indian talent and also recognizing that we in India is so diverse, know, everyone looks different. so just kind of opening up that compass and opening up that world for the world to see that and say, you know, cause I don't know, I don't know how I'm segueing into this, but I'm just going to say, cause on my mind, like growing up, I was always told that I wasn't Indian or Indian enough. And I was like, are you kidding? Like I'm listening to like, hum, bill, the trick is an arm right now. Like, I'm just like, like,

you know, and like, you know, I go to the temple and all that stuff. And so it was just interesting to get that kind of feedback. And so I think right now when it comes to work, kind of feel that a little bit. And I just hope that changes with just productions and things like that. And they really see that there's a wide array of talent out there. But again, to go back to your question, like I said, all good things take time, but I do think we're in a forward movement. And I think right now.

Paras (27:11.352)
There's a lot happening in the country where voices like ours are going to be stomped on a little bit, but I think that we still have a fight in us and a resilience that we're going to make sure they get hold

You're listening to Trust Me, I Know What I'm Doing. After a quick break, let's rejoin our conversation with actor Bharath Patel. Stay tuned.

Abhay (27:38.582)
Every story told is a lesson learned and every lesson learned is a story waiting to be told. I'm Abhay Dandekar and I share conversations with global Indians and South Asians so everyone can say, me, I know what I'm doing. New episodes weekly wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Hi this is Madhuri Dixit and you're listening to Trust Me I Know What I'm Doing with Abhay Dandekar

Abhay (28:17.378)
Hi, this is Farhan Akhtar.

Hi guys, I'm Ananya Pandey. I'm Kani Kusruti. I'm Vidya Balan and you're listening to I Know What I'm Doing.

Hi, this is Vidya.

Abhay (28:33.548)
Hi there, I'm Abhay Dandekar and you're listening to Trust Me, I Know What I'm Doing. Let's come back now to our conversation with actor Paras Patel.

You know, something you said kind of just struck me for a second, which is, you know, being told you are or aren't someone and this idea that like, you know, you're just sort of thinking to yourself like, okay, on the one hand, I got to be myself and I'm going to work on being authentic and this is just who I am. And on the other hand, there's sort of like this build and this fight constantly to prove yourself and, and demonstrate like, do I have to prove my identity to you? Do I have to like show it more or does it really matter?

And so in that way, like, do you find that the real levers of being able to prove yourself as a community lie? I mean, it lies everywhere, but does it really need volume or does it need the strength of just really good storytelling? Or do we really need, mean, like, do you have designs on being a director or producer yourself at some point so that you're in better control of that?

No, I hope to do that. I don't think it's in me to direct right now, but there's definitely some stories that I've come across that are just so interesting about our culture and things that I didn't know. And so, you know, I have ideas written down, but again, I'm not an expert mixture writer as well. but you know, I hope to do that. And if a great story comes my way, yeah, I would love to get into producing at some point. But you know, I, I just feel like,

Having a platform where you can openly speak like this is where people will get listening and will open up or will kind of resonate with what you're saying. And many might not, many might not understand that they haven't been through my experience or other experiences people from our community go through, but there's going to be one person listening out there. And if at least one person can really take that message to heart, then that's effective enough.

Abhay (30:33.504)
On this show, there's about nine people listening right now, but it's better than one. That's right.

Nine people in ten Patels have been... All ten Patels will listen to another Patel.

There you go, there you go. mean, you know, and so does it change in a way like how you measure success for yourself? I mean, the success for yourself, of course, mean being cast and being parts of productions that find, you know, that monetary success, that visual success, like, you know, hey, we've got this many viewers or our audiences are global and whatnot. But do you do also have a parallel kind of measurement of success?

which is how much awareness you're building, whether that's being an Indian American or how much your awareness you're building as a champion for the neurodivergent community. mean, those kinds of milestones of success now for you, how do you know that, know, kind of like you're on the right path, if you will.

You know, when it comes to the word success, authentically, I'll say that I think I'm still chasing it. And I think that's where it lights a fire in me and keeps my drive going. But something that's also come up that I've measured is my worth. I think I've realized my own self-worth. And I think that's such an important tool to recognize as an individual and know that about yourself because from that is confidence, from that grows your own power.

Paras (31:59.32)
say there's no ego with that, you find out yourself, you find out this is what I can do, this is what I can give, this is how I want to help and serve others. And that's how I realized that and that's through the arts for me and that's through playing the role of Matthew and inspiring the world and showing a world and raising awareness to people that never knew of autism and things like that. And so that's kind of how I am measuring my growth, not my success, I think.

No, I like that a lot. Yeah. I think that you're right. That like, you know, it's sort of this idea of, you know, success being an external measure, but self-worth being something that you're, you're really sort of cognizant of on an ongoing basis that really matters, you know, most importantly to you. when you think about, when you think about this idea of kind of building confidence in yourself, and then also developing, that sense of confidence, you know, for others around you.

Have the roles that you've had in the past, whether that be on Teen Spirit or Fresh Off the Boat or on The Chosen, have they all been sort of additive for you in building more and more trust with teams or with peers or audiences or for that matter, even yourself? mean, have all of these been sort of rungs on a ladder to keep going in that sort of trust building experience?

Yes, 100%. Great question again. You Teenspare was my very first project and my very first audition ever. So I was still learning the ropes. You know, I just done four month intensive acting course, and this was the first thing that I got. And so I was still learning things. it was a bit, it was a bit rough, I would say, because you realize quickly that some people might

treat you differently than what you would be used to. And so that kind of helped build that. really formed the whole you need to have a thick skin mentality. And that's something that I probably did struggle with growing up, but I think I've become way better at it because it's just like, yeah, you can't let things get to you. But definitely they are rungs on the ladder. What The Chosen has given me

Paras (34:11.052)
Like I said, it is a form of my worth and confidence, especially in my work. And I just feel so comfortable kind of being so vulnerable in different moments. you know, our director, showrunner, Dallas Jenkins really creates that safe space. And I'm just able to try things that, you know, just different risks in a scene and that kind of makes it alive. It's always great when you see something and people are like, I didn't think of it this way, but I loved it. So it's like, you're really creating art.

together and that show has really brought that out in me.

You think about taking risks and the ability and the freedom, almost the liberation to take those risks on camera. And then when I think about sort of like the zoom out a little bit and think about the macro, do you have to sometimes catch yourself to not be too much of a futurist in like what could be? and if, because of course, if you do constantly think about like, you know, the next role, the next role after that, that you're certainly not necessarily staying present and engaged in the moment.

And therefore, if you're not necessarily in the moment, you won't be liberated enough to take those risks in the first place. So how have you found kind of getting through that kind of balancing act?

I'm laughing because I was like, maybe you just talked to my agent because that's kind of been, that's kind of been my worry, you know, just to get off something going to be eight years long and just really, for lack of a better term, not, seeing what could have, what should happen with the quote unquote global show, not really translating, but I'm using that as a lesson to continue to work harder. But one of my biggest things through my self journey, like I mentioned to you that I've been going through in the year and a half is to live in the present and not.

Paras (35:54.248)
in the future. Because when you keep thinking in the future, you're going to forget the moments that are building you towards that. And you're not going to wreck it. You're not going to operate in that way of being in the present moment. And that might affect something for your future. And I think that's an Eckhart Tolle thing. I don't know. I fall. fall to all these self-help people on Instagram. Yeah, it's so important to live in the present because you don't know what you're going to miss. And, know, a fun activity I like to do if I'm taking a walk or something, if I find my futuristic mind going to

Other things, there's this thing of the state president. just look and pick at six things around you and call it out. And I've been using, I've been doing that to kind of ground myself again. And then, and I just get myself out of that head space of like, forest, like, okay, just relax. But yeah, yeah. Or yeah, yeah, literally just call it out right now. And then that will be like, wait, I'm here and I shouldn't be thinking about X, Y, and Z that

Get those six things right now.

Paras (36:49.294)
I have no idea how that might go about things can change in an instant, you know, and you're going to regret not living in the moment. I do that with this show. Like, you sometimes I'm not enjoying the fruits of my labor, I guess, sometimes because I'm always thinking of the future. So that's why it was so important for me personally and professionally to kind of really call myself out on that. And I think a lot of people should just kind of do that because we worry and

we're missing what the essence of life should be, think. I just, you know, you want to enjoy the moment. You don't want to regret it later in life, you know.

Yeah. Yeah. No, so true. Right. Like, I mean, and I love that, that idea of, know, you have to have like anchors in front of you. If you can just pick out those six things and keep reminding yourself, okay. if that's what it takes, then that's what we need to sort of like, you know, stay grounded and focused, in the moment. Let me get you out of here on this, because this, sort of speaks to that where you think about past, present and future, but at the same time, it is still an engagement of.

the person who's watching you on screen or the person who's meeting you for the first time. And so, you know, I'm curious, how do you introduce yourself to people who've maybe never met you before and they're just learning about your work and what do you hope they take away?

All right interesting, you know, I just I'm like when was the last time I introduced myself to someone? how did I what do I normally do? Usually I take those questions as like where are you from? What's your background and stuff like that? So, you know, I introduce myself as bar as Patel, know, yeah I am Someone that actively dreamed as a kid

Paras (38:40.898)
to be somewhere and do something with my life that people rarely in my community saw or understood or knew. And I did everything I could to make it work. And if there's anything that I want to speak to for anyone out there, but more specifically, the South Asian community is that you can also do it too. Find your calling, find your purpose. Don't give into societal pressures or what is expected of you.

because you will just burn yourself out, really find what you feel like you're meant to do and go with that. And that it's okay to make mistakes. It's okay to not to realize like, maybe this thing I wanted to do isn't what I want to do. But live in that nobody's perfect. And that's kind of what I would look at me and look at my path.

Well, it's an ongoing journey. It's one that is never perfect completely for anyone, but doing so with purpose and such great introspection is something that I know that audiences everywhere are hopefully appreciating and are gonna continue to appreciate for a long, long time. Vadas, this was great. Really enjoyed connecting and what a treat to have a conversation. I hope we can visit with you again in the future.

I would love that Abhay and you know, I know you mentioned that you're a pediatrician. So I just want to say thank you for what you do. You know, my parents would have loved for me to be a pediatrician, but appreciate, appreciate all you're doing and really love that you're, you're kind of creating this platform for us to get to know each other and, talk and raise awareness, like I was mentioning and, and educate and you're doing some good stuff. So it's an honor to be on it.

Thanks so much, Paras, for taking the time to chat. And as I like to say once again, conversation is the true antidote for apathy. Shout out to everyone for a happy and healthy Diwali filled with love and light. Don't forget to subscribe on YouTube and share, trust me, I know what I'm doing with all your friends and family, and any kind rating or review is truly appreciated. Till next time, I'm Abhay Dandekar.