Desis in Contention: Padma Lakshmi, Kumail Nanjiani and ‘Indian Matching’ Receive Emmy Nominations
- The Indian American gets the nod for her last season as host of “Top Chef,” while the Pakistani American is chosen for his portrayal of Chippendales founder Somen “Steve” Banerjee.
Kumail Nanjiani has been nominated for an Emmy award for ‘outstanding lead actor in a limited series or a movie’ for the Disney+ series “Welcome to Chippendales,” it was announced today. Emmy-nominated actress Yvette Nicole Brown revealed the nominees alongside Television Academy Chair Frank Scherma during a live virtual ceremony.
Nanjiani was chosen for his portrayal of Indian American Somen “Steve” Banerjee, who became the unlikely founder of Chippendales, the male-stripping empire. The series detailed the insane, darkly comedic and crime-ridden story behind the unique male revue that became a cultural phenomenon.
The Pakistani American actor is pitted against Taron Egerton (“Black Bird”); Evan Peters (“Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”); Daniel Radcliffe (“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”); Michael Shannon (“George and Tammy”); and Steven Yuen (“Beef”).
Padma Lakshmi received a nomination for hosting the 20th season of the popular Bravo cooking series “Top Chef.” The announcement comes a month after the Indian American chef, author, model, and television host revealed that she would leave the show. She also earned a nomination in the Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series Or Special category for her Hulu show “Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi.
I’m so proud of you @KristenLKish and am over the moon that you’ll be taking over for me on @BravoTopChef!!! I’ll be rooting for you and our whole crew next season. Congratulations!!! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/PgGMBzqeLi
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) July 11, 2023
Lakshmi posted a video from Sicily, Italy, on her Instagram about her Emmy nods. “It’s really nice to finish my time at Top Chef with a nice nomination for the show, as well as one for me as host,” an enthusiastic Lakshmi said on the video. “I am so excited that you guys have acknowledged both my shows, and especially ‘Taste the Nation’ which as you know is just my baby and I want to thank everybody on both crews who helped me put those shows on,” she said. “Thank you so, so much.”
She announced her departure from the show on Twitter and Instagram last month. “Having completed a glorious 20th season as host and executive producer, I am extremely proud to have been part of building such a successful show and of the impact it has had in the worlds of television and food,” she wrote. “After 17 years, many of the cast and crew are like family to me and I will miss working alongside them dearly. I feel it’s time to move on and need to make space for Taste the Nation, my books and other creative pursuits.”
Nominated in the ‘outstanding unstructured reality program’ is Netflix’s “Indian Matchmaking,” the third season of which premiered in April. Directed by Smriti Mundhra, the series offers a sneak peek into the world of matchmaking and arranged marriages. The eight-episode series follows Mumbai-based matchmaker Sima Taparia, or Sima aunty, who works with millennials around the globe to search for their perfect match. “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” “Selling Sunset,” “Vanderpump Rules,” and “Welcome to Wrexham” are nominated in the category as well.
“Succession,” “The Bear,” “Beef,” “White Lotus,” and “The Last of Us” scored multiple nominations. The 75th edition of the annual awards will be held on Sept. 18.