Palmer Trinity School

Vishal's family decided to settle in Miami, start a business, and establish their roots to create an Indian-American community where they could raise their children. Culture and tradition have always played a big role in Vishal's life—he recalls forming a Hindu Club as a student at PTS and getting most of his class to join, even though he was the only one who was actually Hindu. After graduating from Palmer Trinity School in 2004, Vishal earned an undergraduate degree at Florida International University, moved to Hong Kong for two years, and went to Los Angeles, CA, where he began to pursue a career in acting. Vishal eventually returned to Miami to help expand his family's commercial real estate business, and that's when he found the opportunity to share his family's culture through Family Karma. Bravo has been very progressive about showcasing other cultures and giving Indian Americans a real platform, like it does through Family Karma, a docuseries that specifically showcases Indian American culture. Growing up in a traditional, multigenerational household, Vishal's family is bonded by their strong cultural ties and vibrant Miami social life. Between parents and grandparents constantly instilling their cherished customs and adult children who are drifting more towards the "American Way," the two worlds collide in the most unexpected ways. In the show, Vishal and his life-long family friends are determined to live life to the fullest and navigate the pressures of adulthood, all while maintaining deep- rooted ties to an incredible culture. "It took some convincing to get all our friends and family on board, because we tend to be a very private community. It's not common for us to discuss any problems about our lives outside the confines of our home," Vishal says. "Even throughout the process, it was difficult for us to come out and discuss personal issues. We've been raised to care a lot about how the Indian community thinks of us. Initially, it was uncomfortable for us to open up, but by having our families involved, it gave a really great picture of our culture." While the family dynamics of multigenerational families who live together may surprise viewers, the show does a great job of getting rid of misconceptions people may have about Indian Americans and their lifestyles. Vishal believes that these misconceptions are often caused by not having enough representation of Indian Americans in mass media. "I think with Family Karma, you see that Indian Americans do not fit under one specific mold. We are a blend of the two cultures and it's not a perfect blend. Some may be considered more 'Indian' while others are more 'Westernized,' and both are perfectly okay and should be embraced." Being able to share his life with viewers has been a positive experience for Vishal, but it's had its fair share of challenges, too. "It's been wonderful to have so many people reach out who are able to relate to one of our many stories. We had many 'taboo' topics come out in the open, which has been a big challenge. We've had issues related to divorce, being gay in the Indian community, and even freezing your eggs. For myself, I spoke about having Crohn's Disease and showed problems in my relationships. It wasn't always easy, but by being open and sharing these struggles, we've been able to both help people going through similar issues and simultaneously entertain our viewers." Overall, Vishal is grateful for the opportunity to share his life on TV. He's also grateful for his time at Palmer Trinity School and the experiences he's had there (like cheerleading at Powder Puff games and getting to hear Janet Reno speak), which helped shape him into the person he is today. "I made great friends at PTS and had excellent, supportive teachers. Palmer Trinity School instilled core values that I hold dear, which are service and gratitude." Vishal applies these values by dedicating much of his free time to community outreach and service with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation whose mission is to cure Crohn's disease and improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by the disease. As for future goals, Vishal hopes to get to do 10 more seasons of Family Karma, and most importantly, marry his long- time fiance, Richa, soon. Clockwise from top left – Vishal volunteering with "Take Steps," a walk for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation; Vishal on the set of Family Karma. S U MME R 2 0 2 0 41 Bravo/NBCUniversal

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