Before Grey’s Anatomy, True Detective, and Never Have I Ever, Anjul Nigam was a student at NYU during the golden age of indie cinema, chasing auditions and living with Adam Sandler as a dormmate. His journey has been anything but straightforward: a sudden rise in Hollywood, four years of unemployment, rebuilding through theatre, and eventually stepping into producing with his breakout film Growing Up Smith, a passion project that took a decade, played 25 festivals, and even caught the attention of Barack Obama.

In this Chai with Champs bonus episode, Anjul reflects on 30+ years of navigating acting and producing, from the grind of auditions to creating Persona Entertainment with Alec Baldwin. He breaks down the realities actors and filmmakers rarely hear, the truth about sustaining a career, and the hidden mechanics of producing: financing, packaging, and attaching talent. This isn’t just a conversation, it’s a candid playbook from someone who’s lived the highs and lows of Hollywood.

Chai with Champs is the Center Stage for South Asian Cinema 

Follow us: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithchamps/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RitikaAgrawalll

[00:00] – Welcome to the Episode[01:12] – Who Really is Anjul Nigam?[07:26] – From NYU in the ’80s to Adam Sandler’s Dormmate: The Road to Acting[10:10] – The Harsh Truth About Hollywood: Grey’s Anatomy, True Detective & 30 Years of Survival[23:00] – The Sudden Rise… Then 4 Years With No Work. What Happens Next?[32:03] – The Reality of Auditions, Theatre, TV & Movies (Nobody Talks About This)[37:35] – Producing Your Own Film: How Growing Up Smith Took 10 Years & 25 Festivals[47:45] – How to Build Relationships in Hollywood And Work with Oscar Winners[51:00] – Why Calling Yourself an “Aspiring Actor” Could Be Ruining Your Career[55:20] – Final Thoughts & Wrap