Goodbye stereotypes: the interview with Richa Moorjani, protagonist of the series "Never

Text by CRISTINA MANFREDI

Photography JESSE VOLK

Styling MAELA LEPORATI

You may not find it in the list of current titles, but " Never have I ever... " is a real gem among Netflix series. Conceived by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, it is already considered a milestone of Hollywood productions because it breaks the stereotypes of South Asian populations, representing in all its facets the life of an Indian family in the San Fernando Valley, California. Among the protagonists is the character of Kamala Nandiawada, a twenty-year-old who arrives in the States to obtain a doctorate in biology and is hosted by the Vishakumar family, where mother and daughter process the loss of their husband and father in an often stormy way. The interpreter is Richa Moorjani, an authentic beauty and acting talent that led her to also join the cast of "Fargo 5", whose release has not yet been announced.

L'OFFICIEL ITALIA : What did it mean to be in the cast of "Never have I ever..."?

RICHA MOORJANI : Up until its release, our representation was almost always based on simplifications, but as a result of the Indian diaspora many subcultures have developed around the world. Not even Bollywood is accurate in describing India itself, while with this series we have finally gone further. There had never before been a program that featured a South Asian family made up mostly of women. And not even a character like mine, three-dimensional, adorable and confused that grows and gains self-awareness over the course of the episodes.

LOI : Was it difficult to establish yourself as an actress in Hollywood before coming to this series?

RM : I'm from Silicon Valley, my father is an engineer and my mother is a therapist. Theirs was a marriage of love and they were also united by a passion for art because they are part of a Bollywood-style musical band. I grew up surrounded by creative people and ever since I was a little girl I've always wanted to act, I just didn't think I could do it in America.

LOl : In what sense?

RM : Not seeing anyone who looked like me, I was convinced that I had to move to India to follow my dream. It's not that I thought I had the road blocked, it's that I just didn't take it into consideration. Luckily, people like me showed up in college and I thought to myself maybe I could stay in America.

LOI : What is your morning mantra?

RM : And a thought of gratitude towards the world. It makes the bad times more manageable for me and invites me to humility in the good ones.

LOI : What emotions does fashion give you ?

RM : It's an expression of identity, for me a mix of western and traditional clothes that I often wear on more special occasions. I love the attention to quality of your made in Italy. I think fashion could learn from sustainable manufacturing in India, which produces beautiful results.