Out and About with Karan Soni

Karan Soni returns to the romcom spotlight with A Nice Indian Boy, a heartfelt, culture-clashing queer love story that’s already winning over audiences. Premiering at SXSW and opening NewFest, the film is currently sitting at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes—so, safe to say, it’s one to watch. Starring opposite Jonathan Groff, Karan plays Naveen, a mild-mannered doctor who has always done what’s expected of him. But when he falls for Jay, a white man adopted by Indian parents, their relationship forces his traditional family to confront what true acceptance really looks like. Between comical misunderstandings, emotional reckonings, and a wedding in the making, A Nice Indian Boy delivers a fresh, heartfelt take on love, identity, and the messy, beautiful reality of family.

Born in New Delhi and now based in LA, Karan Soni first caught attention in Deadpool as the hilariously endearing Dopinder—a role he reprised in the sequel. Since then, he’s starred in Ghostbusters and Miracle Workers, co-wrote and starred in 7 Days, and recently stepped behind the camera to direct an episode of Abbott Elementary.

In our Out and About interview, Karan opens up about working alongside his partner, Roshan Sethi, who directed A Nice Indian Boy, his growing role behind the camera, and what it was like getting cozy on set with Jonathan Groff. And when we got to the topic of what it means to still believe in the dream and magic of this country, his answer struck a chord. It gave me a little hope—or maybe we’re both just completely delulu. Either way, enjoy the interview below!

OT: A Nice Indian Boy brings you back together with your partner professionally once again. How does your dynamic shift when transitioning from partners to colleagues on set? Do you set boundaries to separate work from personal life, or does the creative process naturally spill over into your downtime?

KS: It took us a beat to establish our dynamic between work and life. The first movie we did (7 Days, now on Hulu!) helped us understand what works and what doesn't. Essentially, if there is a creative disagreement, then my partner will hear me out, but he gets to make the final decision since he's the director. Unlike real life, it's important for one person at work to have the power to say when you're moving on and making a decision otherwise nothing will get done. Luckily, he has excellent taste. Also, he is my biggest fan so that helps (again, excellent taste).

OT: In the film, you're not only starring but also serving as an executive producer. How did wearing both hats shape your experience on set, and were there particular moments where you found yourself thinking like a producer rather than an actor?

KS: I really appreciate being able to EP projects like this where I am in almost every scene. With the executive producer credit, you're able to have a voice in the room when certain decisions are being made, and you don't feel like the actor trying to insert an opinion. I usually find that I'm most useful in prep with casting, a lot of the actors in the movie are friends or people I've worked with on previous jobs and I'm able to get them the script directly which can be helpful on independent films. I also did a punch up pass on the script for this movie (with Roshan) and enjoyed sitting in various cuts in the edit to be another voice in the room. Most of the other producers aren't actors so I think it can be helpful sometimes to see performances or moments from an actor's perspective in the edit.

OT: Your on-screen chemistry with Jonathan Groff is already being praised. What was it like building that dynamic with him, and do you have a favorite behind-the-scenes moment from filming?

KS: I think it's impossible to create or manufacture chemistry. It's either there or it isn't. What usually helps is if you like the person, and I love Jonathan!! My favorite memories with him were when I handed him my phone so he could scroll through my Instagram. Jonathan doesn't have Instagram (because he's smart) but whenever someone shows him their page, he can get lost in it for hours.

OT: Was it ever awkward filming intimate scenes with Jonathan in front of your partner, or are you all consummate professionals who rise above such things—unlike my overactive, anxiety-ridden brain, which would absolutely be spiraling in that situation?

KS: I was actually so nervous about this! But once the day actually arrived, it was so easy. Mainly because of Jonathan. He made both Roshan and I feel so comfortable. He has so much experience from doing sex scenes on shows like Looking that it felt so normal to him and that feeling trickled down. We also had a great intimacy coordinator.

OT: Directing an episode of Abbott Elementary must have been a blast. I particularly loved the scenes with Lisa Ann Walter's Melissa and Chris Perfetti's Jacob as their dynamic evolved from colleagues to roommates and, eventually, friends. Was there a specific scene or moment for you in your season three episode that you were especially excited to bring to life? And how did you approach collaborating with the cast to maximize the comedy in those moments?

KS: Thank you!! I was really excited to shoot the scene where Quinta's character reads the review that Barbara left for her librarian program. I love how Abbott combines laughs with real grounded emotional moments like that. I'm also such a fan of Quinta's and I couldn't wait to see how she performed that scene. And that cast doesn't need my help with comedy, they are such pros. It's just my job to design the shots in such a way that we capture all the moments, but they always deliver no matter what.

OT: You've now directed, produced, and acted in major projects. Do you feel most at home in front of the camera, or are you finding yourself drawn more to the creative control behind the scenes?

KS: Acting will always be my first love. It's the most therapeutic for me. I can be an internal person and an overthinker so acting helps me turn my brain off. Behind-the-scenes jobs are wonderful but are often more organizational and slightly less creative.

OT: As someone who immigrated from India and built a career in Hollywood, how much of your own personal experience influences the characters you choose to play? Does A Nice Indian Boy reflect any parts of your own journey?

KS: How much time do you have? I mean, this was the most personal project I've done to date. On several days it felt like I was recreating exact moments from my own life. I showed the film to my family over Christmas, and we were all ugly crying. This movie is something I wish I had during the tougher times with my family but I'm so glad it exists now.

OT: Outside of LA, what's your favorite hotel that you enjoy returning to?

KS: I love The Standard, High Line in New York!

OT: Your go-to restaurant in Los Angeles?

KS: The Cafe at Erewhon. Sorry, please don't hate me.

OT: What are some of your must-have travel essentials?

KS: Multiple chargers (you'll only use one, but I like having the others like a safety blanket), a book (yes, actors can read) and back up eyeglasses (I'm very blind).

OT: What's one destination still on your bucket list, and what's drawing you to it?

Japan. It feels like such a magical, all-encompassing place.

OT: Is there a place you visited that completely surprised you—somewhere you didn't expect to love but ended up being unforgettable?

Prague! I got to film a season of this TV show called Miracle Workers there and I loved it. There is so much beautiful architecture there and the people were so welcoming.

OT: There's been a surge in media coverage of aviation mishaps lately, which has led to more people clapping when the plane lands, blessing the aircraft with holy water, and so forth. Do you have any personal travel rituals—whether it's a pre-flight superstition or a must-do activity once you arrive in a new place?

KS: I like getting to the airport early. We're talking two hours early for a domestic flight (I know). I love walking around the terminal and evaluating all the food options and then getting something to eat. I feel like if I rush through the airport to catch a flight then I'm carrying that anxiety with me on the plane. But if the time at the airport feels relaxed then I board the plane relaxed.

OT: If you could work with any filmmaker or actor—living or dead—on a passion project, who would it be and why?

KS: Steven Spielberg has always been my ultimate filmmaker to work with. I've just been such a fan of his work for so long. As for actors, Emma Stone is on the top of the list. She can do no wrong in my book.

OT: And finally, from one immigrant who chose to move to America to another, there have definitely been moments—especially since January 20—where I've thought, "Alright, time to pack up and head home…" Have you ever felt that way, or at this point, does America truly feel like home-home to you?

KS: Oh damn, Out Traveler with the big question!! Sadly, yes, I have also had to entertain the thought of maybe leaving if things keep going the way they are. But I'm not there yet. I love America and do consider it my home now and I've had opportunities here that I wouldn't have been able to have in India. At this point, I still believe in the dream and magic of this country.