Indian-origin Senator and Democratic presidential aspirant Kamala Harris joined popular comedian, actress and writer Mindy Kaling at the latter’s Los Angeles home to cook masala dosa, during which they discussed their south Indian heritage.
The video of their joint dosa cooking adventure has gone viral ever since it was released on social media a day earlier and has hit more than half a million views on Twitter alone. There was also a special guest appearance from Avu Chokalingam, Kaling’s dad.
While cooking, they discussed their shared South Indian roots and their families’ immigration stories.
Vera Mindy Chokalingam or Mindy Kaling has been a longtime supporter of Harris, who is of mixed Indian and American heritage. Harris’ mother was from Chennai.
“I really believe in her, I think she’s a really exciting candidate, and I like her stances on so many issues that are important to me,” Kaling told CNN early this summer.
“Who else keeps their spices in Taster’s Choice jars? Turns out Mindy Kaling and I have more in common than we initially thought,” Harris said after the video was released.
The less-than-nine-minute video, in which Harris acknowledges that she never made dosas, has received a lot of warmth from eminent Indian Americans.
“Loved all of this,” said Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.
“Dear 12-Year-Old Me, One day, one of the funniest people on TV will cook a meal with a progressive US Senator who happens to be running for President and they’ll both be strong Indian American women. Your Future Self,” said Kal Penn, former Obama Administration official and actor.
“In which two South Indian American women - one @mindykaling a TV celebrity, the other @KamalaHarris a candidate for President - make dosa & eat with their hands & the whole world loves it & I feel all the #DesiPride,” tweeted Gautam Raghavan, chief of staff to Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.
