The CW's new fall comedy Aliens in America puts an exchange student from Pakistan in the heartland of America for comedy hijinks. Adhir Kalyan plays Raja. In real life he speaks with a South African accent and he is not even Muslim. Acting!
Adhir Kalyan on Aliens in America
"I'm not Muslim and I don't think it makes a different at all," said Kalyan. "I like to believe I've been fairly diligent in researching Islam, about trying to find out as much about Pakistan as I could. The script is so rich in material and descriptions and insight into the character where I think that is first and foremost. Raja is a character who happens to be from Pakistan and who practices Islam in his life. Of course, I do feel I have a responsibility to the Muslim community to represent this character in a positive way and as accurately as I can."
It wasn't all book studying though. The world weary Kalyan has some secondhand experience. "I did live in London for a couple of years and was actually cast for the show out of there and sort of used that opportunity with such a large South Asian population to sort of go out and speak with people who were either first-generation British or actually did hail form the subcontinent."
When Kalyan first came to America, his experiences were much better than Raja's. "In truth, the only thing I found difficult to deal with coming to the States is the size of the portions of food. I mean, really, do we need portions that are that big? Africa doesn't need bono. Africon doesn't need Geldof. Africa needs a Denny's grand slam breakfast. But on a serious note, I've been very fortunate coming out to Los Angeles. Unlike a lot of actors who come out to make a movie and try to carve out a career for themselves, I came here with something which opens a lot of doors for me. As a city itself, I really enjoy Los Angeles and have found American people to be nothing but hospitable and warm. I think as a result of the country's politics, American people tend to take a lot of heat as people, which is sometimes unjust I feel. Since being here and being anywhere in the world, because I've managed to travel somewhat from Durban, South Africa, I think it's about people you meet in your journey. I've been very blessed in both a professional and personal capacity to meet some wonderful people who share my vision in terms of what they would like to contribute to this industry."
So that's Adhir Kalyan. But if he's playing an exchange student, won't they send him back after a year? What about season two? "In truth, Raja is so incredibly smart. I mean, they are going to want to keep him at that school."
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