Good Trouble's Dhruv Uday Singh on playing Raj and raising awareness about the Asian Diaspora

From Bombay to LA, actor, comedian, and writer DHRUV UDAY SINGH has been paving his way to success as one of the successful Asians in mainstream Hollywood. He currently stars as Raj Patil, a software engineer and coder, in the Freeform show, GOOD TROUBLE. He also performs 4-5 nights a week at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) theatre in Los Angeles. Singh spends his time doing a lot of live comedy and acting.

In this exclusive interview, learn more about SINGH as he shared his stories about his acting journey, playing Raj in the diverse show Good Trouble, his take on Asian culture and representation in Hollywood, and I’m Too Effing High podcast.

What inspired you to pursue acting/ how did it start for you?

Looking up to certain acting heroes got me into acting. Honestly, watching the movie Raging Bull was a turning point for me because Robert De Niro’s performance was so raw, and unfiltered; just a person put on screen laying his soul bare. When I saw that performance, I was like, I want do that one day! It touched me so much. It felt like I’ve seen a part of a human soul put on celluloid and that’s inspiring.

How did you book the role of Raj in Good Trouble?

The Good Trouble audition process involved me going to the studio in Santa Clarita and auditioning for the role. It was really just a one round audition. We played with it a little. I improvised with it here and there and they seemed to feel that I am a good fit for the role right away. It started as a small role in the pilot episode and then it slowly evolved, they expanded it out and I became a major character in the store.

What’s the best part about playing his character?

The best part about playing Raj is that he is a much better person than I am or most people are. It’s really fun to see his evolution. He really grows from somebody who is insecure in his own skin and wouldn’t stand up for himself. Then I get to actually see him explode in a really positive way; and sometimes negative (he gets in a fight in season 2 at one point) but it is really fun to play someone who grows and learns like that. I aspire to do that myself in my own life.

Like Raj, do you like computers and techy stuff yourself?

I do. I have a very nerdy, techy side as well. When I was a kid I used to program computer games for a while. The worst thing that I did in terms of tech was when I was 13 years old, when my first girlfriend and I had our first Valentines’ Day coming up. For her Valentine’s gift, I made her a website. I programmed her a website.

It’s actually amazing. Especially if you appreciate that thing.

Sure, if that’s your definition of cool.

How was it to work with a diverse ensemble of cast in this series?

It’s really cool to work on the show with his cast. It is such a diverse ensemble in so many different ways. It represents people of different races, of different sexual orientations, of different gender identities, and different nationalities; it’s just a beautiful melting pot. The show really goes out of its way to address these issues as well. The show does not only address the issues and present you how to deal with these things but it also does it in a way that was fun and relatable. It’s about that part of it as well. So I really love the balance of working with these great people and also tackling these issues at the same time.

“I think what I like to see more of is the awareness about the Asian Diaspora. The Asian continent is so huge and there are so many different types of Asians and so many different nationalities in Asia itself that we’ve only scratched the surface of what Asia is so far. I would love to see and challenge the American conception of what Asian is. “

What’s in store for Raj and Marianna?

Well we have to see what’s in store for Raj and Marianna. There were some storm clouds in the horizon as viewers have probably seen. Their relationship has been rocky sometimes because of Raj’s insecurity and Marianna’s boss, Evan, is a hunky man played by TJ Linnard, is on the scene. We’ll see who she chooses and what happens. But you have to wait and see.

Do you have a vision or something that you wish to see more in terms of Asian culture and representation in mainstream Hollywood?

I think it’s been an incredible last couple of years for Asian representation in media especially with the success of Crazy Rich Asians, Fresh Off The Boat, Always be my Maybe- seeing these things succeeding is so cool. But I think what I like to see more of is the awareness about the Asian Diaspora. The Asian continent is so huge and there are so many different types of Asians and so many different nationalities in Asia itself that we’ve only scratched the surface of what Asia is so far. I would love to see and challenge the American conception of what Asian is. Most Americans think of Asians in a narrow way. There are still stereotypes, certain types of classifications; and I would love to see that explored more. I’d love to see more interesting characters. I think one thing that I find cool and challenging about playing Raj in Good Trouble is that very rarely do you see an Asian or South Asian as love interests. Very often Asian characters are desexualized in a way, they’re been put on screen as very unsexual characters, or just a comic relief, or even just a side thing. It’s really exciting to play a love interest in the show. That’s something that I’d definitely love to see more.

Tell us about I’m Too Effing High podcast. What is it about and invite the audience to listen to it.

I’m Too Effing High started as a live show at the UCB theatre where the premise is that we bring comedians, actors, musicians, on the show and we get them high of the beautifully grown California legal marijuana then we give them comedic challenges to prove that weed makes everything funnier. That’s the premise of the show. There’s also a lot of other components to it. We do High Review, We do interviews with industry folks, we do good vibes minute, it’s one of the funniest things that I’ve been a part of. And if you’re interested, go check it out. We have some of the funniest people in LA and in America on the show.

And to wrap it up, if you were a book, what book would you be and why?

I think if I were a book, I would be the cover of an Immanuel Kant Metaphysics manual but secretly wrapped around a steampunk erotica novel. It presents itself in a way that’s something very put together but deep down there’s a lot going on. There’s a lot of nasty stuff happening below the surface and in a good way, I hope (laughs).

Catch Dhruv Uday Singh in Freeform’s GOOD TROUBLE now on it’s second season

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