Meet Karan Sagoo | Actor, Writer & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karan Sagoo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karan, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
Having been in the Industry for 17 years now, across London, Mumbai (Bollywood), and LA (Hollywood), my drive has always been the same… To be successful as an Actor and be recognized for the work i do. Im not interested in Fame. Of course, this is a byproduct of being successful, and with that opens the doors of opportunity to do good. I have always had the natural inclination to help others, whether it be with life coaching, acting workshops, or generally being an ear to listen. Through my time in Bollywood for example, as i became more and more successful and a highly recognized public figure globally in the Indian community and Indian world of TV and Film, i was able to inspire people to becoming better versions of themselves, i was able to bring hope into the worlds of Women who has lost faith in their relationships or Love. Particularly through The Bachelorette India, a platform from which i was appreciated for being myself and a light to people.

My Parents raised me with strong Foundations, principles, honesty, kindness, love and giving. Even through the medium of TV and Film in LA, and when working on set with the production team, i don’t see myself as the Actor/Talent, i see myself as part of a team, and work as such. And if through my actions I can inspire someone, or make a difference to their day or life, that is what means the most to me. With all that in mind, my end goal, is to be able to be in a position in the near future where i can promote new talent, create opportunity, influence more change in the world, create a non profit to help the less fortunate.

The world of acting and creativity is something i Love and don’t think i would ever be at the end of. But if specifically i have to say where i would be…. it would be Producing, acting and being in a position where i can make a change to the Industry to create more opportunities for so many talented actors that spend an entire lifetime and don’t get to live out their dreams.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
How did i get to where am today professionally?…

London, I moved into the world of acting Full time in my early 20’s, up till that point i had a love for 2 Things: Cinema and Cricket. Coming from an Indian background my parents were very strict with our education. Going to University, having great grades and achieving academic success. So during that time Acting was part time and a hobby for my creative side to express itself. In school, even though i was only cast as supporting characters in theatre plays, the lead roles going to what was considered ethnically correct casting, i was still always taking away the best Actor award. It was always my Drive and commitment to the role i was given that impressed everyone. I consider myself an immersive artist and make the character, his background and his world my reality for the duration of the play or project I’m working on.

The other Focus i had was Cricket, and in this world is where my natural competitive nature flourished. It was always an uphill battle, due to being one of only 2 colored kids in school in a predominantly white County. I had to work harder than anyone else, put in the extra hours and bring myself to a point where i could not be overlooked for a starting position and be a permanent fixture in the team roster. The same went for Club cricket, in which most of the coaches were parents of the kids at the club, and were given preference. This only changed once the club decided they weren’t winning enough and bought in an experienced coach who was from New Zealand. His only deciding factor for who made the team was performance and results. And i quite swiftly became the spearhead of the Bowling attack.

During my time from the age of 13 – 19 when i was doing my upmost in making my mark within the Cricket community and academically staying top of my class, the road although fruitful was a tough one due to the amount of Bullying and racism i suffered in School. From suffering from a broken rib, broken wrist and on a daily basis being punched and bullied by one of many many people. I would endure it all, get up from it and walk away without retaliating, i had the resilience to show them they couldn’t keep me down through results in my education and achievements on the field. There was some action taken once but it wasn’t just a few kids, its was the majority of people in the same grade and grade above me who would torment me. The school wasn’t going to suspend or expel all of them, so i just got on with it. I had an understanding that most of these kids just needed an outlet, that they probably had issues from elsewhere that were making them angry. And this attitude came from my parents raising my brother an I in a spiritually awakened environment.
So, while i was excelling in my chosen categories of life, it wasn’t easy to keep my head up, and stay strong. There were one or two moments where i broke but it was momentary. I knew that I was stronger mentally and spiritually than what was thrown upon me. Interestingly enough, some of those bullies met me after i made Acting full time and i changed myself from a physical standpoint. They apologized for the days in school and now are friends. One can only inspire change and influence positivity through Compassion and Love.

Unfortunately my Cricket career ended when i suffered a snap in my ACL in my left knee and i had to have surgery. It was never the same. I continued to excel academically and graduated from Kingston University with a Degree in Business, and Information Systems Design and Technology.

I had always had a part time job during my breaks from school and College. I learned the family business, Real Estate, whilst working in my Fathers real estate firm. I also kept my part time job on the weekend working in a Grocery Store called Sainsbury’s, which i kept for 6 years. And other times i would work for experience in any IT jobs i could get through family connections. By the time i graduated University, i had the quite the Resume. It was when i graduated i took the risk to go against the normality of an Indian son in a very respected and statured family to tell my Parents i would be going to purse acting Full time. That in itself was a challenge, but i eventually got the blessings of my Father, and how i did, is another story in itself.

With a green light form the person i look up to most and an unmatched motivation from everyone laughing at my plans to become an Actor, i decided to go and pursue it, build my experience and lay my foundations in a country i hadn’t visited in 12 years…India. I was off to Mumbai, the home of Bollywood. My decision was based off the fact that India was my Ethnic heritage, i had no lingering fear of racism or Discrimination and i may have been enticed by the colorful Bollywood films i had started watching a few years earlier. We had one family friend in Mumbai who i would be received by and live with until i found my feet, but other than that… i was a duck out of water.

At 5ft 10″ and 120 lbs, nobody believed i could make it as a leading man in the Film industry, let alone in a country that was essentially foreign to me. I was going from a small posh village in Buckinghamshire and private education, with my mother even saying i would be back in 6 months because i wouldn’t survive the way of life there.

She wasn’t wrong, it was tough. The Humidity, the pollution, seeing beggars and homeless people everywhere. Stray dogs on every corner and being bitten constantly by mosquitoes. But i had a burning fire in me. I found a way into private events, started to network, found my own place to Live and began analyzing a path to success. One thing became very apparent quickly was that Nepotism was real! But this didn’t stop me. I found 2 people who had broken into the fraternity of Actors that were used in most films, who came from non industry related backgrounds. They became top models first and from there the success took them into film because of their marketability.
That was the Blueprint i was looking for, and so it began.

First i spent 6 Months, with a strict structured timetable, diet and Workout plan to build up my weight, pack on the muscle and the cut down to being Camera ready. And using those 2 particular examples mentioned earlier as my competition. I joined the same gym as them, showed up earlier than them, trained harder than them and made myself known. Eating on a very time specific schedule, my phone alarms would run my life. It was constant pain, everyday from the workouts, sleeping as much as possible for recovery and being a strict vegetarian all my life with no aid from Supplements except Whey protein. My plan of action worked. After 3 years of consistent castings, building relationships, being know as reliable, talented and extremely professional Model/Actor i started to make waves. Becoming Indias Next Top Model on MTV Indias next top model reality show. Booking big branded campaigns, my face on advertising billboards across the city, In magazines, editorials and even walking the runway at LAKMÉ Fashion week. I was one of the very few Male models who was booking it all. And from that came TV, Movies and other reality shows.

But the Film world was and is still suffering from Nepotism, Actors, Directors and Producers Children and relatives given all the opportunities of leading roles. I was now facing a whole different kind of struggle. To be a worldwide known Bollywood Actor, to do the films that would catapult you to that level of success was looking impossible. But, one production house, who in the Golden Era was a big believer in giving new talent opportunities based on the command of their craft, relaunched itself in 2012, PRAMOD FILMS. The oldest film production company in India. The founder Pramod Chakravorty unfortunately passed away in 2004 at the age of 75, and his Grandson Prateek took to bringing the company back to life. Along came a new cast on the Silver screen in “From Sydney with Love”, a fun family friendly movie with heart. But, prior to release, it stilled faced the politics of the Industry, other films releasing at the same time with established known generational names were given precedence.
I also worked with Yash Raj Films who are today known to be a studio powerhouse. And to be considered by them for any projects you have to be known to be an exceptional, hard working and capable actor. They were aware of the standards i set myself, including having learnt Hindi, the local language, in 3 months from the literal A B C’s to being fluent, adapting to local mannerisms, and speaking without an undertone or hint of a foreign accent.

But it was around this time i started to consider moving back to the west and pursing my career further in London or LA, as i had gained a lot of practical experience and laid my foundations. My thought process was, if i was going to do this, i may as well do it in the one place that is recognized across the globe. Hollywood! A place where hard work, talent and perseverance pays off and Nepotism is less prominent. Yes, i’d be up against the best in the world, but i strive on that pressure, it drives me to be better than my competition essentially. A place where your success is recognized and respected by your peers. Where one job is the difference between an aspiring Actor and a TV/Movie star.

In between my transition to LA, i was asked to be a part of The Bachelorette India. I was single and open to the idea of TV as a medium to share my personality with the world. The lady in question who 20 men were vying for was an A list actress by the name of Mallika Sherawat. I went in with an open mind, being myself and getting to know her genuinely.
I ended up being one of the Final 2 men, and by this point most of the audience had started watching the show for me. The comments and reactions were flattering, considering i had done nothing but behaved with the decorum i was raised and instilled with. I had given many women hope that there were gentleman in the world and the understanding of Love was not all lost. I did not however take the final rose, as i had honestly told Mallika that her definition of Love was not in alignment to mine. She was more so looking for someone to dote over her rather than someone to grow, learn and flourish with.

After the show, i had been overwhelmed with messages from female fans all over the world in the Indian community sharing how they had watched me, and found faith to try dating again, how some had suffered emotional and physical abuse and given up on Love and that i had provided some light into their lives to keep trying and not give up. I did my best to reply to as many as possible but unfortunately receiving 1000s of messages a month was overwhelming.

I had done something with this platform that I’ve always said i wanted to do…. inspire, provide hope and lead as an example. I was making a change in people lives, giving them a silver lining and connecting to them emotionally. Making a difference!

Which brings me to Los Angeles. The move to a 3rd continent of my life was another adjustment. The contrast of being in a position of regular work, recognition, respect, success, the byproduct…fame, which I’m not a fan of, and leaving behind many many friends was extremely difficult. I was starting all over again, to re-lay foundations. But this time, i had gone through the experience of it once before. I was wiser and more prepared. But what i wasn’t prepared for was that everything i had done in India, didn’t count for anything in Hollywood. It wasn’t in English and i had to prove myself once again.

The journey I’ve taken through the years to get to where i am today has been a battle. It’s a never ending fight and requires a mind and will of steel. You get rejected, you get knocked down, you sometimes lose faith. But, at the end of it all, we do it because we Love it. We are artists. One single piece of work that can move an audience, entertain them and bring smiles to their faces is what moves our souls. And during those difficult times it has always been my parents who have been my Strength. They have lifted me, told me the right words when I’ve needed to hear them and have provided me with the tools and education to be able to do what i do. My consistent positive attitude, to live as an example of strength through the hard times, to help others from my experiences and knowledge, to be kind, giving and patient… It has all come from my parents.
This is how i overcame all my challenges and this is how i am able to fortify my mind against all odds.

It definitely has not been easy, and what I’ve learnt along the way is that you should have a strong foundation of family, believe in yourself and not give into the fear of failure. It is only from our rejections and trials that we learn. That if we keep consistently pushing and working hard that everything eventually comes together. To keep that positive mindset and to not allow others to tell you that you are not capable. There will always be bullies in our lives, but let them motivate you, be the bigger person and show compassion. Prove them wrong. And most of all, no matter what you achieve, and how much success and money you make, or how famous you become, we are all just human beings on this earth, living our journeys, no one person is better than another. So be Kind, Humble and Thoughtful. A simple gesture of love costs nothing.

So, What sets me apart from others?

Theres two sides to this coin…
On the one side,
I have always done my upmost to live by example and inspire. To be good human being, To be kind and to always give back in any way i can with the resources available to me. I give a lot of my time to helping others, whether it be with Life coaching, acting lessons for those who are struggling financially to afford good classes, spiritual guidance with life’s stresses, bringing joy and light to those around me. And i expect nothing in return. If i can make a difference or change someones life for their betterment, I’m content.
You could say i am the nice guy who will put others before himself.

On the other side,
I am very competitive with myself, my career and always being better than i was the day before. I hold high expectations of myself and what i am able to do. I always keep a strong positive, glass half full outlook and believe that there is nothing one can’t achieve if we put our mind to it. I have a constant drive to always be the best at anything i set out to do. I never give up and i don’t believe in excuses. The mind is an extremely powerful component of one self and through my life i have been lucky enough to understand how to utilize that and fortify it.

I have always been successful at everything i have ever put my mind and energy into. Managing to not only pursue passions i adore and work for the foundations of my own life but at the same time being able to expend and devote energy and time to those around me who i can help.

What am i Proud of?

I am proud of the fact that when my parents, family or friends meet anyone who has come across my path and know me, that they all hear kind words about me. Reputation and respect from being a good person will always mean more to me than gaining adoration from my Success or Fame.
To see the smiles on the faces of others, and joy of knowing that my presence in someones life made a difference, that to me is fulfillment.

Now, in relation to my work, I am proud of the fact that i have been able to work on Film and TV projects which have done extremely well either commercially or independently at festivals. To have been able to work with with such talented teams of people. I have been blessed that all the work i have done has been of high caliber, recognized productions or with known brands. My career has been a fortunate one, carved out of Hard work and sheer Determination, and being able to transition from London to Bollywood and then to Hollywood…that has been my biggest feat. To leave behind my life in England, my family (who are my strength) and be recognized as a talented, successful actor across the globe, that is something for sure that i am proud of.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow, well this is an interesting question. I would usually plan the week depending on the friends Personality and what they find interesting and fun. But…
When in LA and the heart of Hollywood, a day at Universal Studios would be a must. Especially if they have never been here. California beaches are always an itinerary inclusion for me, from cycling from the Santa Monica pier across towards Venice, checking out Venice beach, the boulevard and Abbot Kinney. You’ll always find interesting people and things gong on here. Lake Shrine in Malibu is also a place which is beautiful to visit. It’s a great way to also experience the philosophy LA has with freedom, Love, Diversity and Spiritual awareness. How we may all be from different backgrounds but we all have the same One light in our lives.

The Getty Museum is also one of favorite places to explore. Regardless of whether your’e into art and history, the views here are simply astounding. to walk around, catch up over coffee and enjoy the tram ride to and from the Museum, there’s something here for everyone. For the Space, Universe and astrologically inclined fans we have the Griffith Observatory of course. With stunning views also and some interactive shows in their immersive 360 dome theatre, which are always fun.

In the evenings, there is always a lot going on. Comedy shows and the laugh factory, the bustling nightlife in Hollywood and West Hollywood. One of my favorite things to do is attend Salsa nights. Theres always a free lesson and then you get to dance the night away with people who are good energy and enjoy dancing. El FLoridita, La Descarga, The Sofitel Hotel salsa night. Its all great. There are numerous Jazz nights also throughout the city.

Now, Food and drink…

I personally love rooftop bars. Bar Lis, Mamma Shelter and Desert 5 are great spots. After a nice dinner these are great places to go to and mingle. Lots of interesting people from many different industries, so you’ll always have some good conversations. Wally’s Wine bar is also a great spot in Beverly Hills. A few other mentions i have to put here are: Black Rabbit Rose, No Vacancy, Firefly and the Best view of the Valley….. Castaway in Burbank.

With restaurants, here are some of my Favorites:

HOPE cafe
Catch LA
Angelinos pizza in Toluca lake
Anarbagh for Indian food
Pacé Italian
Spago’s

For Ice cream the best Ice cream in the whole city in my opinion has to be AWAN in west Hollywood. It is just ridiculous how good it is. And my latest fun dessert spot is a place called Better than Sex.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people in my Life that have been a rock of support and influence in my journey. Firstly my parents have been my shining light. The field of arts has its up and downs and they have certainly been there in support during my tougher times. They instilled a drive within me to Never give up and always work hard with humility.

In regards to whom i look up to from the many amazing actors as inspiration, it’s Keanu Reeves. If there is one person who i would Love to work with it would be him. Yes, he is a know global A list Actor, but beyond that for me is his persona as a human being and connection to what the world and life is truly about. His reputation in regards to his kindness and connections with others is how i would continue to strive to be. He has never let the fame or the money from his success take over his life and change him as human being.

Another person I feel I NEED to talk about is a person who i met through my acting coach in London who has is now like a brother to me. Cengis Dervis. Truly an inspiration to many, he not only gives back to the artistic community, back also to the younger generation. A life coach, a big brother, a person who many have found strength and guidance through. Always a beacon of positivity. He dove into his first Feature film as a Producer, Director and Actor last year, which went on to win many many awards at film festivals across the world. Creating opportunity for new talent and inspiring others to know that it is possible to take an idea and make it into a film with hard work.

And finally a new addition to my Support network, my Management team, HG5 Entertainment. No matter what happens and where i am, they believe in me, my work, my talent and goals and keep me pushing forward.

2 other people who have imensley supported and worked with me:

Cassandra Brooksbank (Director, the next Female Michael Bay for sure)
IshQ Bector (Family friend and Music Producer who has always been an ear when i need him)

Website: www.karansagoo.com

Instagram: sagooK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sagook/

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4544834/

Image Credits
The editorial Shots are taken by Bjoren Kommerell.