The role of Indian Americans in the United States has taken center stage in recent national conversations, particularly amid debates over H-1B visa holders and broader discussions on America’s receptiveness to Indian immigrants. While many voices continue to advocate for these skilled professionals, the community has also faced a disturbing rise in racist attacks, targeting both H-1B workers and the larger Indian American population.
Yet, despite these challenges, Indian Americans remain a vital force in American society—strengthening the economy, enriching communities, and shaping culture. Their contributions are best reflected through the lens of Rajiv Satyal, the comedian known as “The Funny Indian.” His viral video “I Am Indian” struck a chord with millions, garnering over 100 million views online. Building on its success, Satyal teamed up with Indiaspora to create “I Am Indian American,” a new short film showcasing the community’s service, achievements, and influence in the U.S. His work was also featured in the Inspiring Icons series, in conjunction with Indiaspora’s Impact Report with Boston Consulting Group (2024).
A Note from Rajiv Satyal
*”I’m honored that Indiaspora entrusted me with this powerful project. The goal was to craft a video in the same spirit as ‘I AM INDIAN’ and ‘I AM AMERICAN’—funny, insightful, but most importantly, inspirational and anthemic. Rather than simply listing statistics, we aimed to touch hearts, minds, and souls. It’s a delicate balance: celebrating our achievements without alienating others, including non-American Indians who embraced ‘I AM INDIAN.’ I think we pulled it off.
On a personal note, I love writing and performing these kinds of pieces—mostly because, well, I’m so hilarious and engaging. (See? Finding the right tone is tough.)
Shout-out to my mom and wife for their patience as I spent two hours picking the perfect outfit—blending red, white, and blue with saffron, white, and green (matching the whites was the easy part). The finishing touch? A musician from India playing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ on a sitar—pure magic. And luck was on our side: just days before launch, Instagram extended Reels from 90 seconds to three minutes, fueling the video’s virality. We hit 100K views within 24 hours, and let’s not forget the WhatsApp effect—where view counts are anyone’s guess.
A few weeks back, I polled my Instagram followers about common objects in Indian American homes—and received nearly 200 DMs. That confirmed we had an audience for this. Placing those objects in the background—while representing multiple faiths (spot the yoga mat and prayer rug)—was a meticulous process. Huge credit to my director and editor for bringing it all together.
As the script grew (thanks to our long list of accomplishments), we focused on the superlatives—not just what we’re good at, but what we’re best at. The highest compliment I’ve received? Parents telling me, ‘My kids weren’t proud of their heritage until they saw your video.’ If we can positively shape self-perception, that’s a huge win. And collectively, it’ll push us to even greater heights.
Higher heights? Okay, not my best writing. But I’m exhausted. Maybe my next video should be: ‘I AM EXHAUSTED.’”*
