Local Comic Goes Big Time

By KEITH CALAYAG
Published on Apr 30, 2023

Local Vinita Khilnani and her comedy partner Haven Everly star in “Mothers Day Mom-A-Thon with Haven and Vinita”

 

A variety show packed with sketch comedy and funny conversations “Mothers Day Mom-A-Thon with Haven and Vinita” features locally based Asian-American comedians Vinita Khilnani and Haven Everly.

A treat for mothers this coming Mother’s Day, the show is set to premiere May 1 and will have a two week run on “Always Funny Videos” Channel On OTT/FAST Services – The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Pluto TV, Freevee, Vizio, Tubi, LG, Vizio Watch Free+, Sling TV, Plex, and STIRR.

Born and raised in South Pasadena, Indian-American actress Khilnani appeared in “The Aunties,” “Secular Soulmates,” and “The Jungle Book.” She is also known for posting humorous content on her social media accounts.

Everly is an actress, singer and a TikTok star famous for her comedy videos which usually revolve around Filipino culture and the Tagalog dialogue. She acted in Netflix’s “You,” “Showtime’s The L Word,” and “The Girl Who Left Home.”

“Haven and I have been friends for a couple of years, and we both have immigrant parents. She’s Filipino and I’m Indian. We always make a lot of content on social media about our moms because we love our moms and they say the silliest things and they do the silliest things. And we thought we should make a character sketch show,” Khilnani told Pasadena Now. “We pitched an idea to the network and we said, we want to do something with our character moms. They totally loved our idea.”

The duo, which has social media following from all over the world, including India, Philippines, Canada and United Kingdom, believe they both have funny stories with their mothers which the world has to see.

“The most common thing was our moms were just so funny and how they use technology, how they teach us to have a family, how to have education, just like every little thing was really funny. And so that influenced our characters and what we do in our sketches. And just all the conversations that you’re going to hear in the show are hilarious,” Khilnani said.

The show is a two-hour special inspired by original characters from Khilnani and Everly’s viral TikTok content and is filled with podcast-style conversation topics that highlight their unique perspectives on motherhood, family dynamics, cultural expectations, their Asian American experience, and hilarious tales of growing up with traditional Asian mothers in America.

Khilnani believes many people will be able to relate to the show as it revolves around mothers.

“There’s so many topics we go over, like things with family and technology and education and kids and just funny situations, embarrassing moments growing up. I think a lot of people will relate to that.”

“We’re Asian American women and so a lot of people out there will relate because they also probably have parents who came from other countries.”

Khilnani is happy and thankful to be part of the show, saying she has learned so much and laughed a lot while doing it.

She has this to say to aspiring comedians from underrepresented communities here in Pasadena.

“Don’t ever give up. If there’s something you really want to do, and if it is comedy, just go for it. Use your environment and find out what makes you laugh and pursue it.”

“Pursue your dreams and never give up.”

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