Pens Down: South Asian American Artists Support Striking Writers at Disney Picket in Los Angeles

- Trailblazers like Mindy Kaling, Danny Pudi, Rizwan Manji, Sarayu Blue, Parvesh Cheena, and Saagar Shaikh attended the solidarity event organized by the South Asian Writers Committee.

South Asian American allies showed up last week at the Disney Studious to support striking writers in Hollywood. The first South Asians in Solidarity Writers Guild of America West picket was organized on May 20 by the South Asian Writers Committee. Trailblazers like Mindy Kaling, Danny Pudi, Rizwan Manji, Sarayu Blue, Parvesh Cheena, Rajiv Satyal and Saagar Shaikh were seen at the picket.
Sporting a pair of distressed jeans and a blue and white Writers Guild of America T-shirt, Kaling was seen protesting and posing with her fellow writers who have been on strike since May 2. Production on many shows has come to a virtual standstill, including the late-night talk shows.
Wowowow! What a turnout at the South Asians in Solidarity @WGAWest picket at Disney! This is just HALF of the group! S/o to the Queen, @mindykaling, for supporting and being so generous w/ her time! So much start power! See pics in thread ⬇️ #WGAStrong #SAWCWGAPicket pic.twitter.com/CklSt11WOG
— Natasha Chandel (@Natasha_Chandel) May 20, 2023
Kaling shared several photos in her Instagram stories. “Scenes from the South Asians in Solidarity WGA picket!” she wrote across the first photo. “Loved seeing our community out in full force! Old friends and new ones,” she wrote.
Writer, producer, comedian, actress, voice-over artist, and podcast host Natasha Chandel was one of the organizers of the event. “We ate, we danced, we protested together, desi-style,” she wrote on her social media handles. Chandel, who had a “different experience than most South Asian Americans,” having grown up in Dubai, Toronto, and India, was surrounded by desis. “So yesterday was like an average Tuesday in Mississauga,” she wrote. “But it was heartwarming to hear so many feel they had never been around so many like-minded people, they had a community they never knew existed,” she continued. “It means we need more of this,” she added. “This might be a long fight but we are in it with all our fellow writers.”

Baby’s back in town and hit her first #WGAStrike picket at Paramount! S/o to the Asian American Writers Committee, @thmoxie, @kristinawoo for hosting a great picket! And Weezer was there!!
— Natasha Chandel (@Natasha_Chandel) May 18, 2023
P.s. we’re chanting “Asians,” not “Agents.”
P.p.s. Pay us fairly, Studios!#WGAStrong pic.twitter.com/3qzMEfkycr
I’m honestly so moved by everyone coming together! The South Asian community is a powerful, happy one and we will be on these street for fair compensation for all writers! Thx again everyone, and thx @WGAWest and the wonderful Captains 🫡 #SAWCWGAPicket #WGAStrong pic.twitter.com/lYjUKE0OAw
— Natasha Chandel (@Natasha_Chandel) May 20, 2023
Bringing in the noise, Bhangra, & revolution!
— Sunil Malhotra (@ThatSunil) May 20, 2023
👏🏽#SAWCWGAPicket @Natasha_Chandel @bhavanig!
With community, we win.
PEOPLE POWER, baby!
(#SAGAFTRA sibs, Vote Yes NOW on the strike authorization!)#WGAStrong #WGAStrike #SAGAFTRAStrong #Union #UnionStrong #SAGAFTRASolidarity❤️✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/0wlJN09iKG
We have #HomeEconomics guest stars @dannypudi and Karan Soni showing support with other legends in @sagaftra and the South Asian writers committee organized by @Natasha_Chandel! pic.twitter.com/k2VocYLtfh
— John Aboud (@jaboud) May 19, 2023