Rekha Shankar's upcoming indie flick wants to make you laugh and cry
Why it matters: You've seen Shankar on "Hacks." Or heard of her "Smartypants" streamer, the belly buster where comedians present PowerPoints on farcical topics like how vegetables aren't real.
The big picture:"Vidhya's Guide to the Afterlife" is the first feature-length film for Shankar, the Philadelphia-raised comedian whom New York mag called one of the country's biggest up-and-coming comics to watch.
She's crowd-sourcing it, and so far has raised more than $114,000 from about 1,400 supporters through Kickstarter — more than doubling her initial goal.
The extra kitty will allow Shankar, director Sandeep Parikh and the crew to shoot scenes beyond her Los Angeles apartment. If they raise enough, she aspires to set and shoot parts of the movie in Philly.
The intrigue: Her hometown's already showing up.
Queen and Rook in Society Hill named a new samosa chaat vegan pizza after Shankar, plus had an employee fly to LA to hand-deliver a pie to her before a fundraising kickoff event.
Zoom in: Shankar, who will star in the film, says she began working on the "Vidhya" script after the death of her grandfather, a "brilliant" guy who'd watch "Jeopardy!" with her and help with her chemistry homework.
In the film, Vidhya is "such a bad Hindu" that she's left virtually alone to grapple with the loss of her family following an absurd Hindu rapture — a Christian concept that doesn't exist in Hinduism, Shankar says.
She teams up with a huckster-y local priest to try to bring everyone back through a 13-day Hindu death ceremony.
What they're saying: Shankar tells Axios she struggled to wrap her "Americanized brain" around the Hindu rituals at her own grandfather's ceremony. A Hindu priest told her that if she cried, she would tie her "grandfather's soul to the mortal realm" — the solemn ceremony is supposed to ensure the departed's peaceful transition.
"It's so difficult when your family of origin does all these things one way, but then your Western therapist is like, 'No, no, it's totally OK to cry,'" she says.
The film also pays homage to her grandfather's playfulness. He was a "prankster" who once blew a French horn to wake up Shankar's cousin at 6am.
If he were alive, Shankar says, her grandfather might not appreciate the movie's humor — but he'd still support it.
"What's great about him is he would have hit replay on it every single time it ended to be like, 'I'll just get you a bunch of views,'" Shankar says.
What we're watching: Whether the indie flick, which could drop as soon as 2027, gets picked up by a big platform like Netflix.
Parikh, the director, joked in the fundraiser announcement that the filmmakers must recruit "Monkey Man" director Dev Patel to make the movie a box-office smash.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
an hour ago
- CNET
Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answer and Help for Aug. 20 #535
Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles. Today's NYT Strands puzzle is a tough one. It helps to know a little something about different currencies, but there was one on there that was completely new to me. If you need hints and answers for today's Strands puzzle, read on. I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story. If you're looking for today's Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET's NYT puzzle hints page. Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far Hint for today's Strands puzzle Today's Strands theme is: Mint condition If that doesn't help you, here's a clue: We're in the money! Clue words to unlock in-game hints Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle's theme. If you're stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work: GULP, GLOB, LORE, DOLL, DOLE, DOLED, ROPE, ROPER, WALL Answers for today's Strands puzzle These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers: EURO, PESO, DOLLAR, POUND, RAND, RUPEE, KWANZA Today's Strands spangram The completed NYT Strands puzzle for Aug. 20, 2025, #535. NYT/Screenshot by CNET Today's Strands spangram is GLOBALCURRENCY. To find it, look for the G that's four letters to the right on the very top row, and wind down.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Why Is Grand Hyatt Tokyo A Premier Destination For Fine Art, Seasonal Cuisine, And Authentic East-Meets-West Luxury?
The viridescence of Jamie Nares' gestural Expectation evokes the physics, light, and form that emerge from nature, the vibrant color amplifying her meticulous play with motion and the unravelling of time. The monumental painting by the British-born, New York-based artist depicts a single fluid, majestic brushstroke. Hung on the wall past a bank of elevators, the caligraphic representation executed with a brush created by the artist is framed by Nagoya, Japan-born, Omaha, Nebraska-based artist Jun Kaneko's Untitled Heads. The two eight-foot-tall tall black and white ceramics abstract and magnify the human figure, presented as a pair to accentuate the space and the relationship between the two heads with closed eyes and mute expressions, inviting the viewer to insert a dialogue. The featureless face on the left, gilded from the crown of the head to the midline of the nose (perhaps a nod to classical drawing), shifts deeply into abstraction and human obscurity within the natural world. The visage on the right, also gilded above the midline and black below, greets us with notable features, potentially alluding to evolution. Both suggest a duality, hinting at the balance of east and west, while the marriage of gold and black evoke timeless elegance – gold representing wealth, prestige, or regality, and black providing a grounding contrast, layering depth, mystery, and formality. The thoughtful curation and placement of these renowned large-scale artworks welcomes guests to the entrance lobby elevators at the flawless Grand Hyatt Tokyo, where east meets west, literally and figuratively, and every element is mindfully displayed to engage our senses and ignite our emotions. The five-star experience here reveals the integrity of authentic luxury: each artwork is original and museum quality; the culinary artistry preserves and elevates tradition with local, seasonal ingredients hand-selected by chefs, and each dish is executed with technical mastery and served with exquisite presentation, building nuanced flavors and textures; and the spa and fitness center blend western rigor and eastern serenity. The world-class art collection of more than 200 diverse and captivating pieces is woven into the fabric of the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, where you feel pampered, respected, and at home, thanks to the consummate hospitality experts who are always present yet never intrusive. China-born, New York-based artist Cai Guo-Qiang's stone waterfall sculptural installation sets the tranquil mood at the entrance, oscillating fluidly between nature and society and examining the intersection of Eastern and Western cultures. Every trip to and from your room or the facilities offers a glimpse into Japan-born, San Francisco Bay Area-based artist Seiko Tachibane's Untitled Compositions, displayed in the hotel's elevators, reinforcing the essential bond between science and art, and exploring patterns and relationships that suggest synthesis. Dive deeper into Waterfalls, by Japanese Nihonga painter Hiroshi Senju. Nohonga is a Japanese style of painting dating back to the Meiji period (1868–1912), that typically uses mineral pigments, and occasionally ink, along with other organic pigments on silk or paper. Evoking divinity and a potential abode for the kami, or sacred spirits, the colossal site-specific work spans 797 square feet across two walls in the foyer leading to The Shinto Shrine, enshrining the sun goddess, Amaterasu Oomikami, the Japanese sun goddess and a central deity in Shinto mythology. Grand Hyatt Tokyo is part of Roppongi Hills, one of Tokyo's largest redevelopment projects, sprawling 8.2 million square feet, with easy access by enclosed passage to the Mori Art Museum. On view through Nov. 9, The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest is a must-see exhibition which offers a rare optimistic glimpse into the future of city life. The first major exhibition for Fujimoto (born 1971 in Hokkaido, Japan), designer of the Expo 2025 Grand Ring, presents a comprehensive overview in eight sections with a genuinely immersive and interactive experience. Encounter great art within the Grand Hyatt Tokyo – with a nod to art consultant Neal Menzies & Company of Los Angeles – at every turn, navigating the opulent facilities, amenities, and restaurants. Each placement of artworks accentuates the space it occupies, and often amplifies the theme or feeling – ranging from reverence to charming capriciousness – of a particular space. An enormous Escargot (a snail prepared for use as food) – marrying ancient tradition and popular decorative styles such as Art Deco and Art Nouveau – puckishly welcomes diners to The French Kitchen. The all-day restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch buffets, serving classic bistro cuisine, including pâté de champagne, sole grenobloise, and beef bourguignon. Consider Beijing-born, Taiwan-based artist Robert Kuo's monumental sculpture an amuse-bouche for the aesthetic appetite. Kuo masters repoussé, or repoussage, a technique using hammers to adorn metals by creating designs raised in relief from the back or the inside of the object. The use of patterned punches dates back to the first half of the 2nd millennium BC, and appears in a vast array of art historical objects across centuries and geographies, such as the prehistoric Gundestrup cauldron, the mask on the mummy of Tutankhamun, the body armors of the Bronze Age, the copper ornaments made by the Native Americans in the Southeastern United States, and the Statue of Liberty in New York City. Acting as a host of sorts, the art aligns with the gracious, skilled, and highly trained dining professionals – who are diligently preparing for guests hours before meal service, taking notes and reading carefully, like students at elite university. Excellence abounds across all culinary offerings, under the visionary leadership of Executive Chef Andreas Fuchs, who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants. Fuchs embraces the Japanese concept of seasonality, which extends beyond simple ingredient availability and influences not only what is served but how meals are prepared and enjoyed. Offerings run the gamut, with blockbuster must-dines such as Shunbou, an inimitable culinary journey of textures, flavors, and presentations that transform your palate and elevate your perception of how specific foods should feel, taste, and appear. Market-fresh ingredients, including seasonal produce, are specially grown and prepared for Japanese kaiseki (a set menu meticulously presented over a series of courses), and kappo (traditional dishes ordered á la carte or shared). The service at Shunbou is impeccable, and the Aji-ishi Japanese granite from Kagawa Prefecture and cherry wood tables broaden the cultural experience. Additional in-house dining choices include: Fiorentina, a modern café serving authentic Italian cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients, including antipasti, pizzas, pastas, and main dishes; Fiorentina Pastry Boutique, a pastry boutique featuring award-winning cakes, pastries, sweets and chocolates created with carefully selected ingredients by internationally recognized pâtissiers; Roku Roku, which serves Edo-mae sushi and sashimi using the superb seafood selected each morning from local markets across Japan; The Oak Door steakhouse showcasing premium-quality meats and seasonal produce, along with an international selection of 300 different exclusive New World boutique wines; Chinaroom specializing in Cantonese dishes and other regional favorites following authentic recipes and presented with a contemporary flair; or Keyakizaka, an innovative teppanyaki restaurant where guests may select and order from veritable displays of pristine produce, to enjoy alongside market-fresh seasonal meats, seafood, and poultry, celebrating global flavors. Larger parties or those seeking to impres a group have many private dining options, and art enthusiasts should consider the private dining room at The Oak Door displaying a dreamy watercolor painting by China-born, Australia-based Paul Ching-Bor, inspired by Eastern and Western art, highlighting the contrast between light and dark. Adults eager to indulge a glamorous night out without leaving the hotel may consider Maduro Bar and Jazz Lounge, replete with nightly live entertainment, a whisky tasting room, Italian furnishings by Promemoria, American furnishings by William Switzer, gas-burning lanterns, handcrafted art glass designed by Tony Chi and an enviable collection of premium cigars and beverages. Families, couples, solo travelers, and groups will enjoy The Grand Club experience, which includes access to a private lounge serving complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea (a fusion of Western and Japanese traditions), and evening cocktails, with spectacular city views. Gaze at the AMETSUCHI and HAJIME by Japanese stonecutter and celebrated sculptor Masatoshi Izumi, influential Japanese-American artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi's essential collaborator for over two decades. Choose a corner table for a close inspection of an orange and a green screenptint from Noguchi's Akari (meaning "light" or "brightness") 1A series, screenprinted in Japan on washi paper, created in 1954 for the landmark Chuo Koron Gallery, Tokyo exhibition (August 2–7, 1954), which introduced viewers to his broader visual and material culture, focusing on his initial experimentation with the traditional chochin (paper lantern) format. Engage more deeply with Noguchi by choosing the Presidential Suite, where Folding In & Out, a galvanized steel on black granite from a 1980s series of the same name is boldly displayed. Available to guests and by private membership, Nagomi Spa and Fitness boasts a 13,900 square foot swimming pool crafted from Chinese red granite, a whirlpool, a well-appointed fitness center, a dry sauna for men and dry and wet sauna for women, four treatment rooms, two deluxe single treatment rooms with private showers and changing areas, a Vichy wet treatment room, and a treatment suite for couples with a private shower and a deep-soaking Japanese granite bath. A stay at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo enables a full immersion into the global art world, focused on the dual influences of eastern and western cultures, a seasonal culinary voyage across an array of cuisines, and opportunities to relax and savor the joyful coexistence of eastern and western traditions.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Awkward - Women's Tennis Star Refuses Postgame Hug After Match
Awkward - Women's Tennis Star Refuses Postgame Hug After Match originally appeared on The Spun. The 2025 US Open's revamped mixed doubles tournament kicked off this Tuesday with a star-studded lineup that included the team of Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu. There was plenty of hype surrounding Alcaraz and Raducanu despite their lack of chemistry on the court. Alcaraz, 22, has been the talk of the tennis world for the past few years. The world No. 2 is already a five-time Grand Slam champion and is roughly 24 hours removed from winning the Cincinnati Masters. Raducanu, on the other hand, is slowly but surely climbing back up the WTA rankings. During the opening round of the mixed doubles tournament, Alcaraz and Raducanu squared off against Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula. They were no match for them, which makes sense considering Pegula was once the No. 1 doubles player in the world. While this Tuesday's match provided plenty of fireworks, it was Raducanu's post-match interaction with Draper that grabbed everyone's attention. Fans noticed that Raducanu didn't hug Draper after the match was over. It wouldn't have looked that awkward if Alcaraz had the same exchange with Pegula. However, they had a very friendly embrace at the net. Raducanu's interaction with Draper sparks speculation. "This can confirm they were a thing," one fan wrote on X. "Why would she hug him? The way he was acting and targeting her all match was so stupid. I'm glad she ignored," a second fan commented. "Oh no the Brits are fighting," a third fan said. "How ridiculous, she's so childish," another fan declared. With the win on Tuesday afternoon, Draper and Pegula secured a second-round match against Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev. As for Alcaraz and Raducanu, they'll now get ready for the US Open's main draw. The first round will begin on Sunday afternoon. Alcaraz has the second-best odds (+145) to win the US Open. He only trails the reigning champion, Jannik Sinner (+110). Moving over to the women's bracket, Raducanu is currently at +4000 to win it all. If she's going to recapture the magic that made her champion in 2021, she'll need to take down some of the top players in the world, such as Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. Awkward - Women's Tennis Star Refuses Postgame Hug After Match first appeared on The Spun on Aug 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
