Fast Forward Friday with Nivedita Kulkarni

For this week’s Fast Forward Friday, we interviewed New York-based writer-actress-comedian Nivedita Kulkarni. Nivedita is a reader and nominator for the Kilroy Awards. Nivedita was chosen as one of 15 artists for HBO’s East of Main Street/Taking the Lead, profiling Hollywood’s rising Asian American talent. She is a part of the ensemble cast of Morgan Evans’ Untitled Web Series, which was nominated for a Writer’s Guild Award. She is a former national face of Bank of America. To learn more, visit www.niveditakulkarni.com.

Q: What are you currently working on?  Tell us about it.

I’m creating a TV show right now – I can’t talk details, but it’s funny!

Q: What was the inspiration and impetus for doing this project?

I’m writing about something that is very personal to me, which I haven’t done before. I’m both nervous and excited about this project because of how much it relates to my life.

Q: Who are your artistic heroes – who have had an impact on you and your work?

Anne Hathaway is an entertainment hero of mine, as is Justin Timberlake. I love that they both keep reinventing themselves and don’t get pigeonholed into one path as an artist.

Q: What keeps you motivated and inspired as an artist?  

Watching great work. I would encourage all artists to find creative work and follow the careers of people who inspire them to create.

Q: What other projects would you like to tell us about?

I run a startup called Nuva Comedy. We’re a networking and mentorship organization for women in entertainment. Women can sign up for a profile, similar to LinkedIn, and then they can ask members of the group for help with any topic.  

Q: What is one instance of knowing you are living in your vision?

Seeing the number of women we’ve helped through Nuva – in the thousands, has been amazing for me and my team. I always wanted to build a company that helped people to succeed and Nuva has been a dream come true.

Q: If there were no barriers to entry, what is one thing you would be doing?

Writing and acting in my own TV show, a la Tina Fey. And running my own company, as well.

Q: What has been  your biggest obstacle in achieving your vision?

I think that it takes a long time to grow into your voice as an artist. I think that it has taken me years to develop a voice and be confident in what I want to say through my work.

Q: What do you do to stay connected to your creative self?

Watch movies, read great books, see great art.

Q: If you could let go of something that has held you back, what would it be?

I wish I needed less sleep! I also wish I could learn to manage my daily routine – gym, work, meal prep –  a little faster to give me more time for other things.

Q: What is your favorite piece of art?

The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand.

Q: What person do you most admire, living or dead?

Wow. Hmm. I would say I most admire great entrepreneurs. Oprah. Richard Branson. Howard Schultz.

Q: If you could be known and celebrated for one thing, what would it be?

For building great companies and affecting people’s lives for the better through my organizations.

Q: If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be?

Thinker.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure?

All goofy sitcoms! All of them.

Q: If you could sit down with yourself 15 years ago, what would you say?

Get started faster! I hesitated for so long to make decisions that I actually wanted in my life. I overthought everything. Now, when I want to do something, I just go for it!

Q: Where would you most like to live?

Hmmm. Any big city. I live in New York right now, which I love. I would also love to live in either London or Paris.

Q: What is your idea of success?

Fulfilling work, a happy family and a balanced life. Being a well-rounded person who doesn’t only think of work.

Q: What is your idea of happiness?

Parties!

Q: Final Thoughts?

Thanks for interviewing me! And to all the artists reading this – keep creating!