OFFSCRIPT with Ritika Agrawal

He left a corporate career after Princeton, spent a decade building himself in Bombay, and now works across Bollywood and Hollywood. Ankur Rathee joins Ritika Agrawal to break down what the globalization of entertainment actually looks like from the inside, and what it takes to build a career across two industries.

Ankur Rathee is an actor known for Four More Shots Please!, Undekhi, Made in Heaven, Shehzada and Netflix's Single Papa. He stars in the upcoming Best of the Best alongside Hasan Minhaj, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Lilly Singh.

In this episode:■ Glocalization: the smartphone leap that rewired a billion viewers■ Indian cinema's real competition now? Global content.■ Bankability, not nepotism — the real economics of casting■ Attention gets the meeting. Craft keeps the career.■ Every commercial actor is an entrepreneur■ Rejection vs stardom — and staying whole between the two■ Cut through the noise: do what only you can do

(00:00) Intro(02:00) Why Leave Princeton for Bombay?(05:33) The Father Who Said Quit(08:01) Glocalization: Streaming Changed Everything(10:10) What Are Indian Audiences Actually Watching?(11:02) Becoming a Global Actor: Bridging East & West(13:11) The Universal Language of Craft(13:45) Is It Nepotism Or Bankability?(15:44) Attention Is Currency(18:38) Using Social Media the Right Way for Your Craft(20:45) Craft First: Why He Didn't Go DIY(25:43) How Do Actors Actually Make Money?(30:48) A Commercial Actor Is an Entrepreneur(33:09) Rapid Fire(37:25) Meditation: The Bedrock(40:00) How Do You Survive Rejection in the Spotlight?(44:05) Cutting Through the Noise

OFFSCRIPT is your front row seat to the future of global entertainment. New episodes every other Monday.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OFFSCRIPTwithRitika

Follow OFFSCRIPT on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offscriptwithritika/Follow Ritika: https://www.instagram.com/ritikagrawall/Follow Ankur: https://www.instagram.com/ankurratheeofficial/

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Before Grey’s Anatomy, True Detective, and Never Have I Ever, Anjul Nigam was a student at NYU during the golden age of indie cinema, chasing auditions and living with Adam Sandler as a dormmate. His journey has been anything but straightforward: a sudden rise in Hollywood, four years of unemployment, rebuilding through theatre, and eventually stepping into producing with his breakout film Growing Up Smith, a passion project that took a decade, played 25 festivals, and even caught the attention of Barack Obama.

In this Chai with Champs bonus episode, Anjul reflects on 30+ years of navigating acting and producing, from the grind of auditions to creating Persona Entertainment with Alec Baldwin. He breaks down the realities actors and filmmakers rarely hear, the truth about sustaining a career, and the hidden mechanics of producing: financing, packaging, and attaching talent. This isn’t just a conversation, it’s a candid playbook from someone who’s lived the highs and lows of Hollywood.

Chai with Champs is the Center Stage for South Asian Cinema 

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithchamps/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RitikaAgrawalll

[00:00] – Welcome to the Episode[01:12] – Who Really is Anjul Nigam?[07:26] – From NYU in the ’80s to Adam Sandler’s Dormmate: The Road to Acting[10:10] – The Harsh Truth About Hollywood: Grey’s Anatomy, True Detective & 30 Years of Survival[23:00] – The Sudden Rise… Then 4 Years With No Work. What Happens Next?[32:03] – The Reality of Auditions, Theatre, TV & Movies (Nobody Talks About This)[37:35] – Producing Your Own Film: How Growing Up Smith Took 10 Years & 25 Festivals[47:45] – How to Build Relationships in Hollywood And Work with Oscar Winners[51:00] – Why Calling Yourself an “Aspiring Actor” Could Be Ruining Your Career[55:20] – Final Thoughts & Wrap

She walked away from corporate stability to become a full-time actor. That’s how Renu Razdan has built her path in indie cinema, acting for years on sets, then producing and starring in A Newlywed Story, proving you don’t need a safety net or traditional industry backing to create meaningful work.

In this episode of Chai with Champs, Renu breaks down the real planning behind making your first short film, how to navigate the money conversation when leaving corporate life, and whether indie filmmakers truly need to be in LA, or if thriving creative hubs like Atlanta, Chicago and New York are rewriting the rules. For anyone thinking about making the leap, this conversation is the roadmap.

Chai with Champs is the Center Stage for South Asian Cinema 

Follow us: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithchamps/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RitikaAgrawalll

[00:00] - Welcome to the Episode
[01:45] - Meet Renu Razdan: Actor, Filmmaker & Storyteller on the Rise
[05:29] - Breaking In: How to Build Trust, Pivot & Navigate Different Cinema Landscapes
[09:00] - Atlanta vs LA: What It Really Takes to Become an Actor
[11:45] - Building Wealth & Balance: How Multihyphenates Turn Skills Into Remote Work & Daily Structure
[20:45] - Love, Partnership & Film: Building Something With Your Life Partner in the Same Industry
[27:28] - The Ultimate Guide: Bringing Your First Short Film to Life (& Into Festivals)
[40:50] - Do You Really Need to Be in LA to Make It in Hollywood?
[44:35] - Spill the Chai | Rapid-Fire with Renu
[48:22] - The Advice She’d Give Her Younger Self & The Legacy She’s Building
[50:26] - Bringing South Asian Cinema to Center Stage

What does it take to go from film school at NYU to working with Zoya Akhtar on one of India’s most iconic streaming shows, Made in Heaven? For cinematographer Neeraj Jain, the answer lies in telling stories through light, building trust across borders, and committing to frames that honor complexity and nuance.

In this episode of Chai with Champs, Neeraj shares his path from training under masters to becoming a DP who moves fluidly between India and the U.S. He breaks down the real challenges young cinematographers face, the debate between mastering gear vs mastering vision, and how OTT platforms and AI are changing the craft. From the raw truths of indie filmmaking to building min(d) studio as a space for socially rigorous stories, Neeraj reveals what it takes to create work that lasts.

Chai with Champs is the Center Stage for South Asian Cinema Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithchamps/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RitikaAgrawalll

[00:00] - Welcome to the Episode!

[01:00] - Meet Neeraj Jain: The Eye Behind the Camera

[05:58] - Cinematography Explained: Turning Emotions Into Screens & Building the Right Team

[10:20] - How to Reach Out, Collaborate & Get Noticed in the Industry

[17:00] - Embracing Uncertainty: Why the “Work in Progress” Journey Matters (and the Role of Film School)

[22:30] - From Film School to Made in Heaven: How Neeraj Worked with Zoya Akhtar & Navigated India vs USA Work Culture

[29:30] - The Business of Filmmaking: AI, Producing, Distribution & What You Should Be Doing Right Now

[45:00] - Spill the Chai | Rapid-Fire with Neeraj

[50:00] - Advice to His Younger Self & The Legacy He’s Building

[52:00] - Bringing South Asian Cinema to the Global Stage

Abi Varghese turned an immigrant story into a phenomenon in Kerala and parlayed that momentum into directing for Netflix and Eros Now. He didn’t wait for backing or permission; he built his own audience and carried them with him. That path has become the foundation for his banner, Infamous Coconuts, which is now pushing regional Indian stories onto a global stage.

In this episode of Chai with Champs, Abi reveals how indie creators can actually move from YouTube to streaming platforms, the unspoken realities of financing and distribution, and the trade-offs every filmmaker faces when selling to platforms versus holding the rights. He also breaks down what makes international co-productions succeed, why cross-regional collaborations within India are long overdue, and the next steps South Asian cinema must take to compete on a global level.

Chai with Champs is the Center Stage for South Asian Cinema Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithchamps/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RitikaAgrawalll

[00:00] - Welcome to the Episode!
[01:00] - Meet Abi Varghese: From Sitcoms to Feature Films
[02:46] - 3 Years at Unilever → How Corporate Life Made Him a Better Filmmaker
[06:00] - Cracking YouTube Virality for a Global Audience
[09:35] - Skipping Film School: How Strategy Beats Tradition
[13:00] - The Untold Truth: Funding Films, Pitching to Netflix & Selling Your Vision
[22:30] - How to Find Your Audience & Build an Unstoppable Brand
[27:00] - Red Flags to Watch Out for When Working Internationally
[31:56] - Why This Is a Rough Time for Indie & Hollywood — And What Artists Should Do
[35:00] - Beyond South Asian Audiences: How to Reach the Masses & Attach Big Names
[38:38] - Spill the Chai | Rapid-Fire with Abi
[44:13] - Advice to His Younger Self & The Legacy He’s Building
[46:00] - Bringing South Asian Cinema to the Global Stage

When Rachna Khatau walked onto the set of The Big Bang Theory as Kathleen, she wasn’t backed by film school credentials or industry connections, just persistence, strategy, and the belief that she belonged in the room.

In this episode of Chai with Champs, she shares exactly how she broke into one of the most competitive auditions in television, what actors never hear about surviving the waiting game between paychecks, and why she started building her own stages through theater, South Asian Happy Hour, and mentorship.

Rachna also takes us inside the post-SAG strike reality: how budgets, and typecasting are reshaping opportunities, and what South Asian actors must do to demand multidimensional roles instead of stereotypes. If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate uncertainty as an actor, build your own platforms, or push the industry toward authentic representation, this conversation is full of the insider truths you won’t hear anywhere else.

Chai with Champs is the Center Stage for South Asian Cinema Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithchamps/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RitikaAgrawalll

[00:00] - Welcome to the Episode
[01:10] - Who is Rachna Khatau
[05:40] - Wearing Many Hats: From Singer to TV Host to Hollywood Actor
[10:00] - From Agent Hunt to The Big Bang Theory: How Rachna Landed the Role
[16:45] - The DIY Process: Storytelling on Your Own Terms
[20:10] - Staying Relevant in Hollywood & Building Financial Security
[27:30] - Creating Community Through South Asian Happy Hour
[34:00] - Shattering Stereotypes: Authentic South Asian Representation in Hollywood
[43:45] - Spill the Chai: Rapid-Fire with Rachna
[48:30] - Advice to Her Younger Self & The Legacy She’s Building
[50:55] - Bringing South Asian Cinema to Center Stage

Before the films, the festivals, and the Oscar buzz, who was Krushan Naik? In this episode of Chai with Champs, Krushan takes us inside his journey, from arriving in the U.S. with no safety net, to creating Anuja, a short film that became Oscar-qualified for Best Live Action Short Film.We unpack the 3-year strategy that took Anuja to international recognition, the unspoken rules of visibility in Hollywood, and how filmmakers land on the radar of names like Mindy Kaling and Priyanka Chopra. Chai with Champs is the Center Stage for South Asian Cinema Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithchamps/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RitikaAgrawalll

[00:00] Welcome to the Episode[01:09] Who is Krushan Naik?[05:45] Walking Away from Stability: From Ad Agency in India to Film in the U.S.[24:00] How His Debut Film Took Over Festivals for 3 Years[32:14] The Ultimate Guide to Submitting Your Film to Festivals
[37:00] The Oscars Blueprint: How to Get Your Film Qualified
[49:15] When Mindy Kaling & Priyanka Chopra Backed Anuja
[55:00] Funding, Marketing & Distribution | How Indie Filmmakers Actually Do It
[1:02:16] Spill the Chai | Chai with Champs’ Rapid Fire
[1:06:30] Advice to His Younger Self & The Legacy He Wants to Leave
[1:12:00] How to Bring South Asian Cinema to the Global Stage

She didn’t just break into rooms , she built them. Monika Varma Samtani went from being one of the first South Asian anchors in American newsrooms to founding Ms. Media, Shop The Films,and curating platforms like South Asian House at SXSW and Soundvilla, where global creators meet opportunity.

In this episode of Chai with Champs, Monika reveals the mindset it takes to start over, the courage to choose storytelling in a family of doctors, and the strategies behind curating artists for festivals and cross-cultural platforms. From what makes her stop and say “this person has something special” to how indie filmmakers can actually stand out with their submissions, she pulls back the curtain on access, representation, and building a true cultural legacy.

Chai with Champs is the Center Stage for South Asian Cinema Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithchamps/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RitikaAgrawalll

[00:00] - Welcome to the Episode

[01:04] - Who is Monika Varma Samtani?

[06:24] - Choosing a Career Your Parents Never Imagined For You

[14:00] - How to Pick the Right Opportunities

[20:15] - Networking Secrets: How to Find Your Tribe & Get in the Right Rooms

[24:45] - Want to Be at Soundvilla 2026? Here’s Who Gets In

[33:00] - Publicity Hacks Every Indie Filmmaker Needs to Know

[39:00] - Exclusive: The Tech Platform That Could Fix Filmmaking Funding Crisis

[41:00] - Spill the Chai: Chai with Champs Rapid Fire Round!

[46:35] - The Advice She’d Give Her Younger Self

[48:15] - Bringing South Asian Cinema To Center Stage

What happens when you bet on yourself and send one bold DM? For Karan Wadhwa, it led straight to working under Rajkumar Hirani on the set of Sanju. That single risk didn’t just open a door, it launched a career that now bridges Bollywood’s biggest productions and the grind of indie filmmaking in LA.

In this episode of Chai with Champs, Karan shares the unfiltered truths of navigating both Bollywood and indie cinema, from wearing three hats on an Abhishek Bachchan feature in LA, to the mistakes filmmakers make on the festival circuit, to the realities of building credibility without film school credentials. If you’ve ever wondered how to actually step into the industry, this conversation is the blueprint.

Chai with Champs is the Center Stage for South Asian Cinema Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithchamps/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RitikaAgrawalll

[00:00] - Welcome to the Episode
[02:00] - Who is Karan Wadhwa?
[04:00] - Childhood Dreams That Led to Filmmaking
[08:25] - From DM’ing Boman Irani to Working on Sanju
[15:43] - Behind the Scenes of Bollywood’s Biggest Productions
[25:32] - Wearing 3 Hats on I Want to Talk with Abhishek Bachchan
[29:30] - Building a Production Company, Finding Your Tribe & Film Festival Magic
[39:30] - Why Financial Freedom Unlocks Creative Freedom
[44:06] - Spill the Chai, Chai with Champs’ Rapid Fire
[48:27] - Advice to Karan’s Younger Self
[50:30] - Bringing South Asian Cinema on Center Stage

Say yes to one opportunity and it could lead you to A.R. Rahman.That’s exactly how Rianjali & Kunal Patel began a journey that transformed their lives, from a single yes, to working with one of the greatest musicians in the world, to building a career that now spans music, law, and film.Today, they run their own production company with films traveling to a dozen international film festivals, proving that you don’t need a blueprint to create your own path.

In this episode of Chai with Champs, they reveal how to turn passion into power from negotiating with confidence, protecting ownership, and pricing your worth, to supporting each other as creative partners in both life and business.

Chai with Champs is the Center Stage for South Asian Cinema Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithchamps/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RitikaAgrawalll

[00:00] - Welcome to the Episode!
[02:09] - Meet Rianjali & Kunal: The Creative Power Duo
[03:27] - How to Create Your Own Opportunities and Stay Financially Stable
[08:00] - How to Build a Roadmap for your dreams?
[20:00] - The Leap From Music Into Film Producing
[27:40] - How to Build a Creative Empire, TOGETHER
[32:18] - From A.R. Rahman to Bollywood: Kunal’s Journey Through Music
[37:00] - Why Exploring Multiple Creative Paths Can Be Your Superpower
[47:59] - How to Position Yourself as a Creative Entrepreneur
[58:14] - Negotiation Secrets: Pricing Your Work Right
[1:05:30] - Legal Traps: What Every Creative Should Watch Out For
[1:13:25] - Exclusive: Kunal Leaks a Song From His Upcoming Album
[1:21:35] - The Advice They’d Give to Their Younger Selves
[1:25:23] - What's Next For Rianjali & Kunal
[1:28:45] - Bringing South Asian Cinema to the Center Stage