Meet Tejas Shah | Actor, Writer, Producer

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

Hi Tejas, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I tell stories from the Southeast Asian/Indian communities diaspora across the world in film and television. In an effort to elevate and expand our perception in the public’s eye.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an actor that got into writing and producing out of necessity and the realization that the power is in my hands. I do not have to wait for an opportunity. I focus on creating stories from my community which are Indian Centric. There are not enough South Asian/Indian stories being told. I would like to be the one the help tell them, in the best way possible. My goal is to elevate our image as a community within the industry and in the public eye.

I am really proud of the last project, American Hate back in 2019-2020 which I mentioned before. It was and still not easy but I am happy I chose this career as it fulfills my creative pursuit and greater mission to help others. Its a long road and still so much left for me to achieve. So to say it was easy, no. Will it ever be easy? Probably not.

You would not believe the amount of times I have decided to give up and come back. So do I overcome challenges, yes at times. Other times I cave and get frustrated. The industry is a rollercoaster to say the least!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Tacos, street tacos – Angel’s Tijuana Tacos or Tire Shop Taqueria. Get one of each, con todo. Practice your Spanish and make the effort to order. Go biking on the boardwalk and bar hop to all the dive bars and nice brunch spots all along the path from Santa Monica down to Hermosa and back! Take advantage of the natural resources – ocean, beach, and hiking trails.

Everyone from the people who make your food, serve you up a drink, your waiter/waitress to your grocery cashier, to your mechanic, and beyond will be some of the coolest people you will ever meet. I love chatting and making the people who live here a bit more happy when conversating. Give a smile and joke.

I always love the amazing hole in the wall joints. The spots which have been around forever and new ones. The ones locals go to.

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?
The team which helped me write, produce, direct the short film, “American Hate.” Melissa Vitello, Bryan Ricke, Daniel Brea, Shawn Parikh, Shrada Divri, & Joseph Lopez. These artists took the story and elevated it to a height I could not dream of.

Website: https://www.tejasnshah.com

Instagram: @tejas.n.shah

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tshah84