Meet Renu Razdan | Actor & FilmMaker

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

Hi Renu, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation? What does it mean to you / what do you like about it?

As an Actor, I work for a very fickle industry so I’m always looking for inspiration.   

My mantra for this year is “Trust Yourself”, because that’s exactly what I had to do the past 3 years with the Pandemic & Hollywood Strike challenging “business as usual.”

From writing & directing my first film, A NEWLYWED STORY, pitching & rewriting my show CAMELTOE, or performing in dozens of showcases to land better representation, I’m always a work in progress. Trusting myself to keep trying new avenues as an artist helps me grow.  That growth is an incredible gift.  

I just did a test screen of my film and was extremely nervous to put it out there.  I didn’t go to film school, I’ve never aspired to have a Directing career, and I am by no means a seasoned writer. Making A NEWLYWED STORY was an exercise in ultimate self trust because I wanted to cast myself in a role that I wasn’t seeing any opportunities for.   I made a love story, not only because it was a personal story but I was fed up with mainly Bollywood celebrities representing South Asian romantic leads.  There is fresh talent here in the South Asian Diaspora waiting to tell their unique perspectives.  *And I’m raising both of my hands in the air! After watching the audience laugh, cry, and genuinely connect with my film, I feel more empowered to keep making the stories I care about seeing.  You’re the creator, writer, and director of your life story whatever way you choose to tell it, so go make what you know.  Trust yourself. 

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally? Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?’

My life is one of duality both in my upbringing & personality.  I’m a daughter of Indian Immigrants who raised me in the Midwestern warmth of Indiana. I’m both an Artist & a Scientist of sorts. I’m an Actor. I’ve also been a Software Engineer & Silicon Valley Executive. I wear pink Headbands and host high tea in my Mom’s Sarees one day and wear Boxing Gloves & Mouthguards the next while sparring in the ring.  I live to celebrate powerful femininity.   I can be seen on The CW, HBO MAX, and films by the AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE.  Most recently I wrote, directed, and starred in my own film: A NEWLYWED STORY, a piece I created during the Actors Strike of 2023.  It’s a film that captures what I care most about doing as a storyteller: helping women break through societal standards of self worth.  

From a young age, girls are conditioned to derive worth from their beauty, weight, age, marital status, motherhood, and so much more.  The irony is that my first venture into acting was to strategically utilize personal aesthetics.  I participated in a Beauty Pageant called “Miss South Asia”. The prize for winning was a fully paid tuition in a 1 year Acting program in Mumbai, India, which I could leverage to break into Hindi Cinema (referred to by many as Bollywood). I had seen many South Asian Celebrities follow this model growing up from Aishwarya Rai to Priyanka Chopra so I just assumed winning a pageant is the express ticket to being cast. 

At the time I was working as a software engineer out in Silicon Valley and was looking for a bridge into Hollywood.  I just wanted to be seen but I had no idea why.  Fast forward to me winning the pageant & getting crowned by Steven Seagal (not sure how I feel about that now).  I was ready for my overnight success.  Except, the next week when my photo was published and relatives started calling my parents, the record scratched.  My family flew out to remind me how hard they had worked to ensure I had a respectable life.  I renounced my title to stay committed to my tech career and build a more stable livelihood.  I felt I was disappointing everyone else anytime I tried to explore what might make me happy.  

Several years & acting classes later, I found my reason to get back into storytelling and it had nothing to do with looking pretty.  It became a way to be seen on my terms. Not having to conform to what anyone else wants. More than anything I just love breaking stereotypes for other women. I want them to know that nothing should be set in stone other than their own free will. Do what you want to do with your life.  You’re worth it. 

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc. In your view what are some of the most fun, interesting, exciting people, places or things to check out?

Los Angeles might be coined The City of Stars but it’s also the City of Views.  I love perching out on Mullholand drive at night to take in the glistening skyline.  You can’t beat a sunrise hike up Runyon Canyon with panoramic views of the Hollywood sign surrounded by Palm Trees.   And ofcourse, the beaches have the most beautiful sunsets, my personal favorite being at the Manhattan Beach Pier. 

Los Angeles is also such a hub for wellness focused activities: My favorite training spots are at Fortune Boxing Gym, Trinity Boxing, & Hot 8 Yoga.  For something more relaxing, I’ll take my friends for yoga on the beach or rent some bikes to cruise around in Santa Monica.  

Let’s not forget culinary life in LA.   My diet is mostly plant based so I love introducing visitors to innovative vegan experiences: from Pura Vita’s Pizzeria in West Hollywood, Bulan Thai Cafe in Silverlake, to walking around the Vegan Exchange Street Fair every Sunday in North Hollywood which has a little bit of everything.  For fine dining I’d take a date to Crossroads Kitchen, Nic’s on Beverly, or Plant Food & Wine. 

Ofcourse, I’m going to want to show a guest a little bit of Hollywood.  We could catch a screening of an indie film, perhaps some local theater, or maybe an Improv show such as “Asscat” at UCB to support my fellow actors.

Alright, so let’s jump right in! 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 a person, group, organization, book, etc that you want to dedicate your shoutout to? Who else deserves a little credit and recognition in your story?

I am dedicating this shoutout to Radha Mehta, Director of DOSH, a film I am grateful to star in.  Because of Radha, I’ve had an incredible past year during a time that most of the Film/TV industry was at a standstill.  I’m forever grateful for Radha’s belief in me.  From the beginning of her film’s production right down to supporting its visibility in the festival circuit, the journey with her has been very rewarding.  

I met Radha 3 years ago before she started her official journey at the American Film Institute (AFI).  As part of her fellowship curriculum Radha participated in live director workshops and would need volunteer actors to work on scenes.  As many know AFI has some of the best filmmakers, one of my favorites being Patty Jenkins, Director of Wonder Woman & Monster.  So whenever Radha asked me to join in, I would jump on it.   Back then most of my auditions were for one off guest star roles and I wanted to get comfortable with carrying an entire script.  These workshops were an opportunity to sink my teeth into material I don’t always get to work on.  There were usually 30-50 people in the class watching Radha direct me, so it was also simulating the pressure of being on set.  As an actor being very present & private within a very public setting became not only a creative workout but an exercise in self trust.

During one of these said workshops, Radha and I connected powerfully over an early version of her script.  I had no idea at the time that this was a scene from her film that ultimately she’d be taking into an official production. I was just there to learn and hone my craft.   By the end of the workshop, Radha and I were both in tears from the emotional impact of the scene.  Months later, she cast me…and months after the film started its festival run, I was picking up awards, direct offers for new roles, and talent representation requests.  Radha not only took me to Slamdance 2024 with her, she herself received The George Starks Spirit of Slamdance Award.  She is definitely one to watch.

Sometimes we get so caught up in climbing the ladder and finding the next big opportunity that we forget to focus on the love of the art.  I really believe that an “audition” is never for one role…it’s an audition for one’s career.  I want to bring the same integrity for my work in a director’s classroom as I do for an audition on a studio feature.  Building an authentic community based on creative respect goes a long way in this town, at least it has for me.  

Website: renurazdan.com

Instagram: @liferenued

Other: @anewlywedstory_film

Image Credits
Matt Kallish, Lauren Desberg, Jared Hawkley