South Asians for Harris Releases Final ‘Why Kamala’ Video With Actress Reshma Shetty
- The “Royal Pains” actress joins Tiya Sircar, Vasant and Champa Patel, former San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Supriya Perry, to share why they are voting for the vice president.
South Asians for Harris released a final video with actress Reshma Shetty as part of their series of “Why Kamala” videos for the 2024 presidential campaign. The videos target the South Asian youth demographic and profile South Asian voices from an array of backgrounds, including entertainment, advocacy and the legal arena.
In addition to the “Royal Plans” actress, participants include Tiya Sircar, Vasant and Champa Patel, former San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Supriya Perry who served under Kamala Harris, and several youth organizers.
The video series launched on September 30 with actress Tiya Sircar, known for her roles in “Star Wars Rebels” and “The Good Place.” In a candid testimonial video which has received more than 6,950 views, she shares her reasons for voting for Kamala Harris, including how being a woman has informed her decision.
“We’re incredibly grateful to these South Asian powerhouses for sharing their stories on why they are voting for Kamala,” said Bianca Shah, co-chair of South Asians for Harris Youth chapter, in a South Asians for Harris press release “For many young South Asians, this is the first presidential election they can vote in. Yet, youth across the country are recognizing the importance of this moment and not limiting their civic engagement to voting–they are coming out in numbers to phonebank, canvass, host voter registration drives, and talk with friends and family to get out the vote in their communities and campuses. The Harris-Walz campaign’s focus on unity and inclusion has inspired Gen Z across the nation to use their voices and assured them that they will be heard. The way these videos have resonated with fellow South Asian youth is testament to that.”
Another “Why Kamala” video in the series features 12 youth organizers with South Asians for Harris who share their reasons for voting and organizing for a Harris-Walz ticket, including the candidates’ selflessness and commitment to public service and their country.
“The momentum we’ve seen from South Asian youth looking to get more involved in campaigning for VP Harris and Democrats down ballot, has been so inspiring,” said Ananya Kachru, co-chair of South Asians for Harris Youth chapter. “I feel really lucky to work with such a powerhouse team of young leaders who are so thoughtful, intentional, and strategic in the work they’re doing to get out the vote, do outreach, and raise awareness.”
In a “Why Kamala” video featuring Vasant and Champa Patel, the parents who appear in the coming-of-age film, “Meet the Patels”, the couple shares why the issues important to them caused them to vote for Kamala Harris, including her ability for bi-partisan leadership, the economy, and low unemployment. Vasant also states in the video, “Our family and our grandchildren should be proud of who we voted for. Because they are going to remember who we are for and who we are against.”
In another “Why Kamala” video released a week ago, former San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Supriya Perry, who served under Kamala Harris when she was San Francisco District Attorney, shares the attributes that she has seen in Kamala which have led her to support Kamala. She describes Kamala Harris as someone who listens, is smart, kind, ethical, hardworking, and “will put all American people first.”
Rohit Padmakumar produced the videos featuring Tiya Sircar, Vasant and Champa Patel, and Reshma Shetty, as well as an additional video informing first-time voters how to cast their ballot. Anish Mohanty produced the video featuring Supriya Perry and Amala Lane produced the video featuring South Asian youth organizers.