173: They Call Us Tanuj Chopra

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, we welcome back friend and filmmaker Tanuj Chopra, who directed season two of the Netflix series Delhi Crime. He talks about making the leap from indie films to international television, bringing an insider/outsider perspective to get the tone right, and the future of global storytelling.

They Call Us Bruce - Episode 48: They Call Us Staycation

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. Each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

On this episode, we welcome filmmaker Tanuj Chopra and actress Grace Su to talk about their feature Staycation ahead of the film's world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival. They discuss, among other things, the Good, Bad and WTF of being "hella indie."

Angry Reader of the Week: Tanuj Chopra

"On the 101 halfway between LA and the Bay."


Photo Credit: Raafi Rivero
Greetings, internet friends. It is time, once again, to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Tanuj Chopra, whose feature film Chee and T will be released on August 1.

Meet the only two guys in Silicon Valley who have nothing to do with technology

Watch the teaser trailer for Tanuj Chopra's indie comedy 'Chee and T'



Check it. Here's the first teaser trailer for writer/director Tanuj Chopra's upcoming indie buddy comedy Chee and T, about "the only two guys in Silicon Valley who have nothing to do with technology."

Chee and T are a pair of underachieving debt collectors under the employ of Uncle Rob, a wealthy landlord-tycoon. Their day spins out of control when they are tasked with the seemingly simple job of getting Uncle Rob's nephew Mayunk a fresh haircut and new suit for his upcoming engagement party. It turns out that handling their hyperactive, drug-crazed little cousin proves to be anything but simple.

Take a look:

Highs, lows and more highs in the stoner comedy 'Grass'

Screens Friday, March 11 at CAAMFest 2016 in San Francisco.



The arthouse stoner comedy Grass, written directed by Tanuj Chopra, makes its world premiere this week at CAAMFest 2016. Starring Pia Shah and Emily C. Chang, it's described as "an epic adventure of merriment, revelation and the quest for pizza spanning a single day in the park." And yes, there is weed.

Fund This: 'Chee and T'

"A comedy about the only two guys left in Silicon Valley who have nothing to do with technology."



Here's another cool independent feature film project that could use your crowdfunding assistance... Chee and T, written and directed by Tanuj Chopra and co-written by Chee Malabar, is described as "a comedy about the only two guys left in Silicon Valley who have nothing to do with technology."

They've assembled an awesome cast that includes Sunkrish Bala, Noureen Dewulf, Dominic Rains, Karan Soni, Asif Ali, Bernard White and Rebecca Hazlewood. Now they just gotta raise the cash to make the damn thing. But what kind of movie is this? Well, first, here's a short video that'll give you an idea of what it's definitely not (WARNING: Excessive Brown Face):

Watch Nice Girls Crew Season Two!

Starring Lynn Chen, Michelle Krusiec and Sheetal Sheth as the best book club ever



Apologies to my homegirls in the Nice Girls Crew.

The second season of the comedy webseries, created/written by Christine Kwon, directed/written by Tanuj Chopra and starring Lynn Chen, Michelle Krusiec and Sheetal Sheth as three best frenemies in the best book club ever, dropped last week. I was actually on vacation, and wasn't able to give it proper blog love. So here it is.

In season two, available for viewing in its entirety on YouTube, the book club moves their shenanigans to Sophie's house where we meet Geraldine's mom (the legendary Tsai Chin) and Leena's hot new love interest. There are motivational speeches, literary re-enactments and deadly games of survival.

Watch it now:

Watch Nice Girls Crew Season 2 on Comcast VOD/Streaming

Starring Lynn Chen, Michelle Krusiec and Sheetal Sheth



Heads up to all Comcast cable subscribers. The Nice Girls Crew is back! The ladies of your favorite BFF book club return for a second season of the wacky comedy web series Nice Girls Crew, now available exclusively this month on XFINITY On Demand's Cinema Asian America, as well as Xfinity Streaming.

Nice Girls Crew Season 2 Screening, September 26

Special one-night-only Season 2 screening at the Landmark Theater in Los Angeles



They're baaaack. The hilarious webseries Nice Girls Crew return for a second season. Lynn Chen, Michelle Krusiec and Sheetal Sheth are back as Sophie, Geraldine and Linsa -- three best frenemies forever in one crazy-ass book club. Before you do anything, be sure to catch up on season one here.

Season two expands the wacky world of Nice Girls Crew, introducing new characters played by Leonardo Nam, Parvesh Cheena, Anthony Ma and the iconic Tsai Chin as Geraldine's worldly mother, and getting down and dirty with cupcakes, manservants, self-help books and outdoor competition.

If you're in Los Angeles, they're setting things off with a special one-night only screening with cast and crew on Thursday, September 26 at the Landmark Theater. I'll be there to serve as emcee and lead the Q&A. Won't you come out? Here are some more details about the screening: