Who said desi accents weren’t sexy? One in particular will keep me glued to the TV every Monday night, starting next Monday on the NBC sci-fi drama Heroes.
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Desi-licious |
The most heated debate [by critics] centers on “Heroes,” NBC’s bold new drama about everyday people who discover they have extraordinary powers (one can teleport, another can fly, a third is impervious to bodily injury) and ultimately band together to fight evil. (Think “X-Men” meets “Lost.”) Our panelists are deeply divided on this show — they either love it or seem to be disillusioned with the genre. [link]
Looks like with this show, NBC will be finally be able to tap into the ‘sci-fi drama for Gen X’ market that had been previously cornered by the soon to be defunct WB. As for my new television crush with the delicious desi accent — it is Sendhil Ramamurthy, who plays the Indian geneticist turned New York cabbie Mohinder Suresh.
A tenured genetics professor at the the University of Madras. His father Chandra was also a professor until he disappeared from India and the accredited academic world years ago after raving about a “global event’ that would change mankind. He thought his answers would be in New York… Chandra was murdered. Mohinder moves to New York to find out why his father was killed. [link]
Boys, you can have your Lakshmi-the-cooking-show-host because us girls will have Ramamurthy-the-geneticist- professor-who-will-solve-the-mystery. The Heroes site has delicious videos online to be sure to get you addicted well in advances of the Sept. 25th premiere. If you are a fan of the intrigue that was behind Lost (first season), or a comic book geek for superhuman abilities, then this show is sure to be your cup of chai. Join me in my new Monday night obsession, as I’m sure other female mutineers across the nation will be sure to do, in a swoon worthy weekly television event.
I just saw a cute Tiger Woods look-a-like here in the library.
Yes, I was staring and trying to figure out the ethnic combination that gave rise to such a fine speciman.
I was tempted to say, “you know you look like Tiger Woods?”, but he probably gets that all the time from women trying to hit on him. Plus it’s way too corny.
Exotification? Only for those who “qualify” as exotic (read SEXY in my book).
Well, there’s also Steve McManaman.
My bubble is not burst, but then Adrian Pasdar would be white b/c they are catagorized as Caucasian. I’ve know a few Iranian folks, and think they have very nice eyes.
Arizona is not exotic (I know, I grew up there). It’s sunny, hot (but not humid), and most of the cities were developed after ’50s. People will assume we desis are Mexican immigrants or Mexican-Americans b/c they are about 30% of the pop. Linda Ronstadt is part Mexican and part German; she is a famous folk/country-type singer. Her family helped develop Tucson (my hometown). I liked it b/c it was laid-back and few people made a big deal about race, religion, sexual orientation (as they do in big cities).
Back to the subject…man in picture is hott. Must have more objectifying comments from women about desi men, enough so that the admins have to close the thread.
We can do it!
A fellow brown Tucsonan! Hello!
Boy howdy! I started wearing kurtas regularly in high school and no one said anything about it, although I did get constant looks walking around with shoulder-length hair and a beard post-9/11. Nothing like the “Apu” taunts I got when I was living in Davis, CA, though.
Hey Vivek! Wow, what a small world! I’ve met very few people from Arizona; most people here don’t know much about Tucson. I live in Queens now- what a difference!
Sendhil is gonna be in a movie coming out in a few months called ‘Blind Dating‘.
Plot:
well… interestingly .. and i just came across a group known as “Mostly African-Canadian and Caribbean Authors” (M.A.C.C.A.) with an africized font and cowries for the dots. these guys will be reading at today’s word on the street event at queen’s park
cheers.
From Nirali Magazine’s article on the hottie:
On the accent:
this was really cute
and this:
with a shout-out to SM:
mmmm….chocolate goodness. I don’t know yet how I feel about the show, but it sure was nice seeing a more nuanced brown character on tv. Although, it must be pointed out that the man does drive a cab in NY in addition to being a geneticist 😛
Having seen the pilot of Heroes, I was a bit disappointed with the writing, especially in regards to Sendhil’s character. I mean come on, a Madrasi guy called Mohinder?! It was a bit odd that Mohinder kept blathering on about Genesis and man being created in Man’s image – I suppose he could be an Indian Christian, but it’s still weird. The X-men style scientific illiteracy was jarring too – all that portentous drivel about next stages of evolution and higher forms of life – a geneticist should know that evolution isn’t teleological. The writers seemed to pay a lot more attention to Japanese cultural tics and nuances than to Indian ones.
word, Amba. And did anyone else find Sendhil’s accent to be totally unconvincing and annoying? He’s still hot, though.
The pilot was plain bad (I say this as a sci-fi fan). I don’t think it will survive the first season. There is nothing more annoying then when a person has to pretend to have an accent just to fit their stereotype. Andrews on Lost is able to pull it off, though just barely. I was rooting for Sendhil but bad is bad.
The show was far too derivative and hackneyed. They even ripped off the “Lost” Korean character who doesn’t speak English by just making him Japanese here. The show will be pulled by the mid-season I think. A shame as it could have been so much better.
His accent was definitely bad if he was trying to be South Indian. It was also bad if he was trying to be British. I’ve never heard the accent of an person who grew up in India and was educated in Britain, so I don’t know enough to say. Given the sci-fi geek that I am, I’ll give it a couple more viewings before I dismiss the show out of hand.
i watch the show in mute. great eye candy for a few minutes a day 🙂
He doesn’t have to be “Madrasi” just because he’s from Madras! He also could be “mixed”.
Hmmm it sounded more like a Delhi accent.
But yes from Sci-Fi standpoint it was done poorly. The Japanese story annoyed me. I just didn’t want to read captions and it will irritate people over a period of time. And the guy sounded like he was always worked up.
But I’ll take the eyecandy!! CUTEEEEEEE
I have to admit that I thought the show, along with its “genetic” premise was pretty bad. Sendhil’s accent sounded completely fake – I cringed whenever I heard it. The only saving grace was Ali Larter who reminded me of a gf from back in HS. The only character which I found even remotely interesting was the painter.
Kenyandesi – sorry, couldn’t get back to your earlier – was swamped on sunday.
I didn’t care for the show, either. I only watched for the eye-candy. The biggest disappointment…he never smiled.
Am I the only one who liked it? The eye-candy drew me there, but the stories kept me. There were too many stories going on and kind here and there. But, after looking at the previews for future shows, the pilot makes more sense.
I’m not into Lost or X-men or anything like that. Used to be into ER during the George Clooney days. That’s about it. So, not used to network dramas anymore, this was impressive.
BTW, I can’t believe the purists out there who insist on the right accent, name, origin of theories and whatever. It’s ok. It’s network television. We’re not on History or Nat’l Geographic. I was annoyed though that they called it Madras and not Chennai (isn’t the change official like Mumbai??)
Too much Milo Ventimiglia (and the annoying tween who was most recently cranked out of the Disney teenbot machine) = Bad Idea Jeans
Supporting brown is quite often a tough job.
Dude- this show kicks ass… When Milo told the brown girl that he’s loved her since the first day he laid his eyes on her, my heart almost melted. And today’s episode definately had me hooked- Sendhil in a tanktop, exploding teddy bear, time stopping Japanese life saving… and how does that cheerleader keep getting hurt?
Saif Ali Khan is one notable example.
ah CRAP, I can’t believe I have to wait six weeks to figure out if they kill off his character or not! I’m so addicted… even though it’s so messed up…
I don’t care what nationality the man is, or what colour you want to call his skin, he is one fine specimen of male beauty. Its rare to see beauty on a man, yes there are plenty of hunks, and Sendhil is one also, but he can also claim his own special brand of beauty.
Isn’t that a super power????
Btw, to the guy getting upset that the only one without powers was ‘the Indian’, don’t forget about the boy playing soccor who could enter Mohinder’s dreams, and his sister, both Indian, both possessing powers.
And if it makes you feel any better, Mohinder is my favourite ‘hero’ with or without powers. He has the power to keep me captivated and hanging on his every word..oh, sorry that is Sendhil’s power!
Damn. You ladies really do like Sendhil. I was just Googling him for the fun of it and ran across this. To answer your question if he will survive or not, look at the previews for episode 19. The answer is there.
Sai
p.s Sendhil is my cousin 🙂
What’s not to like? Is he really your cousin? Is he as nice a guy as his good looks would have us believe?
Yes he is really my cousin. Yes he is a great guy and even ever better father.
Sai,
I’m glad to hear Sendhil’s a great dad…that’s really important. I bet is little girl? is absolutely adorable. Does she have her daddy’s curly hair? I think she was born late aug/sep 05? My son was born in Sep 05. (He’s lucky to also have a great dad!) I don’t suppose there are any pics of Sendhil & Olga’s baby on the web? They probably (wisely) keep the little cutie under wraps?!
Anyway, if you’re talking to your famous cousin you can tell him we absolutely LOVE the show in Australia (fast equalling LOST as an absolute MUST SEE!!!) and he’s my favourite hero right now, (ok, I’m admitting to a “little” crush).
Please tell Sendhil he’s got to tell the producers that Mohinder needs a little something to smile about so we can see more of that beautiful heart-throb smile! (I caught a glimpse of it in ep15 where Sylar was showing him how he could melt a toaster.) Definately need some more of that!
1 Fan DownUnder.
Those of you with access to NBC’s American site should go look for the cast commentaries… Sendhil has done two episodes, and he’s not just ridiculously good-looking, he’s hysterical.
OMG HOTTTTT
And WHITE. Typical. Before you all jump on me, he’s welcome to his preferences, but just reminds me of the discussion here:
http://www.sepiamutiny.com/sepia/archives/004609.html#more
Would it be too much to hope for a desi hottie who’s made it big in western mainstream media who’s also married to a desi girl? It would be encouraging to many desi girls out there, that we may have a chance (even if in our dreams) with one of these guys, and not resign ourselves to being inferior untouchables without a hope in hell with our own ilk….
His accent totally disappears and becomes a british accent a few episodes in. Which is a shame. His indian accent should’ve stayed. But I think the suits were keen to water him down a bit. 🙁
he’s hotttttt..too bad he’s taken..hehehe..
does he always look like such a greasy scumbag? haha