Get to know Rushi Kota, the star of Hallmark’s upcoming release, “Make Me a Match.”
Rushi Kota is talking to HOLR about everything- from how he got his start in the industry to his newest upcoming release, “Make Me a Match,” which will premiere this week, on June 24. The talented actor is also known for his roles as ‘Prashant’ in Netlfix’s “Never Have I Ever” and ‘Dr. Vik Roy’ on ABC/Shonda Rhimes’ hit dramas “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Grey’s Anatomy B-Team.”
Check out our full conversation with Rushi below, where he goes into detail about his latest releases- including a new film he stars in hitting theatres this October- what he loves most about being an actor, and some of his future goals.
Talk to us about how you got your start in the entertainment industry as an actor.
Sup HOLR, thanks for having me.
Well, I always loved movies and going to the theater and being lost and entranced in someone else’s story. In college, I was dabbling in modeling but never really thought about acting. I had no idea how or where to even start, so I put that on the back burner and focused on school, but by senior year I realized automotive engineering wasn’t going to be my path in life. At a summer job, I met an actor who was also working a temp job. I was quite fascinated by him and I picked his brain during lunch. He told me all about the basics of how to start looking for acting gigs- to start taking acting classes, getting headshots, creating a profile on actors access and backstage.com, learning a comedic and dramatic monologue, reading and seeing plays, and really immersing myself in everything acting. When I graduated during the mortgage crisis of 2008-2009, I couldn’t find a job in my respective field which I took as a sign to make a change. And that began the journey that led me to where I am today.
Image Credit: Photographer: RAUL ROMO Wardrobe stylist: LUCA KINGSTON
The Hallmark romantic film you’re starring in, “Make Me a Match,” is premiering on June 24. What can you tell us about this film?
This is the first South Asian rom-com for Hallmark written by an amazing Indian writer named Nikhil S. Jayaram and directed expertly by Heather Hawthorne Doyle. The story follows Boom, who I play, and Vivi, played by Eva Bourne, who have diametrically opposed views on finding love. When Vivi’s dating app company realizes their matchmaking algorithm is flawed, as well as her love life, she seeks out an external expert to help resolve it. Enter Boom, the son of an Indian matchmaker who will help her find her match while also fixing her company. This movie’s got sultry eyes, heart, laughs, tears, and most importantly, love.
You will also be starring in “Dumb Money” alongside Seth Rogen, Pete Davidson, and Shailene Woodley, which is reported to come out later this year. Tell us more about the upcoming film and your role.
Correct, it is coming out on October 20th in theaters. Dumb Money has everyone in it and I still can’t believe I was cast. It’s based on the book The Anti-Social Network written by Ben Mezrich, who also wrote The Social Network. The screenplay was written by Rebecca Angelo and Lauren Schuker Blum and was directed by Craig Gillespie. The movie is about the big Reddit revolution that took place in January 2021 that caused hedge funds to lose upwards of TEN BILLION DOLLARS. It was a real-life David versus Goliath story. I got to play a real person, one of the CEOs of the trading app Robinhood, Baiju Bhatt. Being in this movie is definitely one of the highlights of my career. I got put on a wig and a beard, and dive deep into character like I have never done before because I was playing a person who is very much alive. Researching and absorbing Baiju was a tremendous amount of fun. Plus, I got to play opposite Sebastian Stan, one of my idols. You can’t see it right now but I’m blushing over here just thinking about our time together on set.
Image Credit: Photographer: RAUL ROMO Wardrobe stylist: LUCA KINGSTON
What do you love most about being an actor?
I love being on set and being lost in character, constantly thinking and breathing truth into an imaginary moment. I love being in a bubble of creativity, where everyone is working towards a singular goal. I can spend hours and hours writing and talking about a character’s memories, thoughts, and experiences- all of which help me create a fuller life for when the director yells “action”.
What are some of your future goals?
Some of my future goals are to be in a big franchise movie that everyone around the world gets to see. I would also like to play complex characters that have had an impact, whether it be good or bad- like Bikram, the yoga instructor. I find his story fascinating, like how he made yoga more accessible and mainstream, yet his downfall was his tyrannical and abusive personality. It would be a transformative and multi-layered character to bring to life onscreen.
Published by HOLR Magazine.