Kal Penn

Kal Penn (born Kalpen Suresh Modi) is an American actor, comedian, and former White House staff member in the Obama administration. He is best known for his roles as Kumar Patel in the Harold & Kumar movie franchise, Taj Mahal Badalandabad in Van Wilder and Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj,

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A Lot Like Love (2005)

On a flight from Los Angeles to New York, Oliver and Emily make a connection, only to decide that they are poorly suited to be together. Over the next seven years, however, they are reunited time and time again, they go from being acquaintances to close friends to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nigel Cole
CAST:  Ashton Kutcher  •  Amanda Peet  •  Aimee Garcia  •  Taryn Manning

On a flight from Los Angeles to New York, Oliver and Emily make a connection, only to decide that they are poorly suited to be together. Over the next seven years, however, they are reunited time and time again, they go from being acquaintances to close friends to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nigel Cole
CAST:  Ashton Kutcher  •  Amanda Peet  •  Aimee Garcia  •  Taryn Manning

American Desi (2001)

College freshman Krishna Reddy, who has never cared for his Indian-American cultural heritage, looks forward to a new life on campus but is surprised to find that he has been assigned Indian roommates.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Piyush Dinker Pandya
CAST:  Kal Penn  •  Purva Bedi  •  Deep Katdare  •  Ronobir Lahiri

College freshman Krishna Reddy, who has never cared for his Indian-American cultural heritage, looks forward to a new life on campus but is surprised to find that he has been assigned Indian roommates.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Piyush Dinker Pandya
CAST:  Kal Penn  •  Purva Bedi  •  Deep Katdare  •  Ronobir Lahiri

Where's the Party Yaar? (2004)

In a small village in India, Hari Patel visits an astrologer before his big trip to America. Upon his arrival in the U.S., Hari stays with the Bakshi family. Mohan Bakshi's fraternity Rho Beta Rho helps promote Indian parties on campus, but the party promoter is on ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Benny Mathews
CAST:  Kal Penn  •  Sunil Malhotra

In a small village in India, Hari Patel visits an astrologer before his big trip to America. Upon his arrival in the U.S., Hari stays with the Bakshi family. Mohan Bakshi's fraternity Rho Beta Rho helps promote Indian parties on campus, but the party promoter is on ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Benny Mathews
CAST:  Kal Penn  •  Sunil Malhotra

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)

AdventurousFunnyFantasticalFun

Nerdy accountant Harold and his irrepressible friend, Kumar, get stoned watching television and find themselves utterly bewitched by a commercial for White Castle. Convinced there must be one nearby, the two set out on a late-night odyssey that takes them deep into ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Danny Leiner
CAST:  John Cho  •  Kal Penn  •  Paula Garcés  •  Neil Patrick Harris

Nerdy accountant Harold and his irrepressible friend, Kumar, get stoned watching television and find themselves utterly bewitched by a commercial for White Castle. Convinced there must be one nearby, the two set out on a late-night odyssey that takes them deep into ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Danny Leiner
CAST:  John Cho  •  Kal Penn  •  Paula Garcés  •  Neil Patrick Harris

Malibu's Most Wanted (2003)

A senator arranges for his son, a rich white kid who fancies himself black, to be kidnapped by a couple of black actors pretending to be murderers to try and shock him out of his plans to become a rapper.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Whitesell
CAST:  Jamie Kennedy  •  Taye Diggs  •  Anthony Anderson  •  Regina Hall

A senator arranges for his son, a rich white kid who fancies himself black, to be kidnapped by a couple of black actors pretending to be murderers to try and shock him out of his plans to become a rapper.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Whitesell
CAST:  Jamie Kennedy  •  Taye Diggs  •  Anthony Anderson  •  Regina Hall

National Lampoon's Van Wilder (2002)

Van Wilder has been attending college for far too many years and is scared to graduate, but Van’s father eventually realizes what is going on. When he stops paying his son's tuition fees, Van must come up with the money if he wants to stay in college, so he and his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Walt Becker
CAST:  Ryan Reynolds  •  Tara Reid  •  Tim Matheson  •  Kal Penn

Van Wilder has been attending college for far too many years and is scared to graduate, but Van’s father eventually realizes what is going on. When he stops paying his son's tuition fees, Van must come up with the money if he wants to stay in college, so he and his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Walt Becker
CAST:  Ryan Reynolds  •  Tara Reid  •  Tim Matheson  •  Kal Penn

Son of the Mask (2005)

Tim Avery, an aspiring cartoonist, finds himself in a predicament when his dog stumbles upon the mask of Loki. Then after conceiving an infant son "born of the mask", he discovers just how looney child raising can be.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lawrence Guterman
CAST:  Jamie Kennedy  •  Alan Cumming  •  Traylor Howard  •  Kal Penn

Tim Avery, an aspiring cartoonist, finds himself in a predicament when his dog stumbles upon the mask of Loki. Then after conceiving an infant son "born of the mask", he discovers just how looney child raising can be.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lawrence Guterman
CAST:  Jamie Kennedy  •  Alan Cumming  •  Traylor Howard  •  Kal Penn

Superman Returns (2006)

SuspensefulClassicFantasticalAdventurous

Superman returns to discover his 5-year absence has allowed Lex Luthor to walk free, and that those he was closest to felt abandoned and have moved on. Luthor plots his ultimate revenge that could see millions killed and change the face of the planet forever, as ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bryan Singer
CAST:  Brandon Routh  •  Kevin Spacey  •  Kate Bosworth  •  James Marsden

Superman returns to discover his 5-year absence has allowed Lex Luthor to walk free, and that those he was closest to felt abandoned and have moved on. Luthor plots his ultimate revenge that could see millions killed and change the face of the planet forever, as ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bryan Singer
CAST:  Brandon Routh  •  Kevin Spacey  •  Kate Bosworth  •  James Marsden

The Namesake (2006)

After moving from Calcutta to New York, members of the Ganguli family maintain a delicate balancing act between honoring the traditions of their native India and blending into American culture. Although parents Ashoke and Ashima are proud of the sacrifices they ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mira Nair
CAST:  Kal Penn  •  Tabu  •  Irrfan Khan  •  Sahira Nair

After moving from Calcutta to New York, members of the Ganguli family maintain a delicate balancing act between honoring the traditions of their native India and blending into American culture. Although parents Ashoke and Ashima are proud of the sacrifices they ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mira Nair
CAST:  Kal Penn  •  Tabu  •  Irrfan Khan  •  Sahira Nair

Man About Town (2006)

A top Hollywood talent agent finds his cushy existence threatened when he discovers that his wife is cheating on him and that his journal has been swiped by a reporter out to bring him down.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mike Binder
CAST:  Ben Affleck  •  Rebecca Romijn  •  John Cleese  •  Mike Binder

A top Hollywood talent agent finds his cushy existence threatened when he discovers that his wife is cheating on him and that his journal has been swiped by a reporter out to bring him down.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mike Binder
CAST:  Ben Affleck  •  Rebecca Romijn  •  John Cleese  •  Mike Binder

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008)

Having satisfied their urge for White Castle, Harold and Kumar jump on a plane to catch up with Harold's love interest, who's headed for the Netherlands. But the pair must change their plans when Kumar is accused of being a terrorist. Rob Corddry also stars in this ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jon Hurwitz  •  Hayden Schlossberg
CAST:  John Cho  •  Kal Penn  •  Neil Patrick Harris  •  Rob Corddry

Having satisfied their urge for White Castle, Harold and Kumar jump on a plane to catch up with Harold's love interest, who's headed for the Netherlands. But the pair must change their plans when Kumar is accused of being a terrorist. Rob Corddry also stars in this ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jon Hurwitz  •  Hayden Schlossberg
CAST:  John Cho  •  Kal Penn  •  Neil Patrick Harris  •  Rob Corddry

Love Don't Co$t a Thing (2003)

High school loser pays a cheerleader to pose as his girlfriend so he can be considered cool.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Troy Byer
CAST:  Nick Cannon  •  Christina Milian  •  Steve Harvey  •  Vanessa Bell Calloway

High school loser pays a cheerleader to pose as his girlfriend so he can be considered cool.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Troy Byer
CAST:  Nick Cannon  •  Christina Milian  •  Steve Harvey  •  Vanessa Bell Calloway

Dementamania (2013)

A frustrated office worker finds himself caught between the realms of his deranged imagination and the mundane reality of his everyday existence.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kit Ryan
CAST:  Geoff Bell  •  Vincent Regan  •  Kal Penn  •  John Thomson

A frustrated office worker finds himself caught between the realms of his deranged imagination and the mundane reality of his everyday existence.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Kit Ryan
CAST:  Geoff Bell  •  Vincent Regan  •  Kal Penn  •  John Thomson

Dancing in Twilight (2005)

When the wife of Indian immigrant Matt Singh dies suddenly (having kept her illness a secret), the successful businessman suddenly finds himself adrift and despairing -- feelings only heightened by a visit from his son. With memories of the past threatening to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bob Roe
CAST:  Erick Avari  •  Louise Fletcher  •  Mimi Rogers  •  Kal Penn

When the wife of Indian immigrant Matt Singh dies suddenly (having kept her illness a secret), the successful businessman suddenly finds himself adrift and despairing -- feelings only heightened by a visit from his son. With memories of the past threatening to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bob Roe
CAST:  Erick Avari  •  Louise Fletcher  •  Mimi Rogers  •  Kal Penn

A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011)

Six years have elapsed since Guantanamo Bay, leaving Harold and Kumar estranged from one another with very different families, friends and lives. But when Kumar arrives on Harold's doorstep during the holiday season with a mysterious package in hand, he ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Todd Strauss-Schulson
CAST:  Neil Patrick Harris  •  John Cho  •  Elias Koteas  •  Danneel Ackles

Six years have elapsed since Guantanamo Bay, leaving Harold and Kumar estranged from one another with very different families, friends and lives. But when Kumar arrives on Harold's doorstep during the holiday season with a mysterious package in hand, he ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Todd Strauss-Schulson
CAST:  Neil Patrick Harris  •  John Cho  •  Elias Koteas  •  Danneel Ackles

Harold & Kumar Go to Amsterdam (2008)

This 12 minute short was released as part of the Choose Your Own Adventure option on the H&K Guantanamo Bay DVD. The blurb is: "Ever wonder what would have happened if Harold & Kumar had not been sent to Guantanamo and simply made it to Amsterdam? Here's a little ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jon Hurwitz  •  Hayden Schlossberg
CAST:  John Cho  •  Kal Penn  •  Paula Garcés  •  Danneel Ackles

This 12 minute short was released as part of the Choose Your Own Adventure option on the H&K Guantanamo Bay DVD. The blurb is: "Ever wonder what would have happened if Harold & Kumar had not been sent to Guantanamo and simply made it to Amsterdam? Here's a little ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jon Hurwitz  •  Hayden Schlossberg
CAST:  John Cho  •  Kal Penn  •  Paula Garcés  •  Danneel Ackles

Cosmopolitan (2003)

A single bachelor, an oddly attractive neighbor and a popular women's magazine are the ingredients of this delicious romance that pays homage to classic Bollywood cinema while spinning a unique modern love story.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nisha Ganatra
CAST:  Roshan Seth  •  Carol Kane  •  Madhur Jaffrey  •  Purva Bedi

A single bachelor, an oddly attractive neighbor and a popular women's magazine are the ingredients of this delicious romance that pays homage to classic Bollywood cinema while spinning a unique modern love story.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nisha Ganatra
CAST:  Roshan Seth  •  Carol Kane  •  Madhur Jaffrey  •  Purva Bedi

A Prayer for Rain (2014)

Thirty years on from the 1984 Union Carbide plant malfunction, the consequences of which are tragically ongoing, A Prayer for Rain is the powerful and moving story of the Bhopal tragedy, one of the great corporate and environmental scandals of the last half-century ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ravi Kumar
CAST:  Martin Sheen  •  Mischa Barton  •  Kal Penn  •  Rajpal Yadav

Thirty years on from the 1984 Union Carbide plant malfunction, the consequences of which are tragically ongoing, A Prayer for Rain is the powerful and moving story of the Bhopal tragedy, one of the great corporate and environmental scandals of the last half-century ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ravi Kumar
CAST:  Martin Sheen  •  Mischa Barton  •  Kal Penn  •  Rajpal Yadav

Sueno (2005)

A Mexican immigrant new to Los Angeles enters into a love triangle with two very different women.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Renée Chabria
CAST:  John Leguizamo  •  Ana Claudia Talancón  •  Elizabeth Peña  •  Nestor Serrano

A Mexican immigrant new to Los Angeles enters into a love triangle with two very different women.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Renée Chabria
CAST:  John Leguizamo  •  Ana Claudia Talancón  •  Elizabeth Peña  •  Nestor Serrano

Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj (2006)

Taj Mahal Badalandabad leaves Coolidge College behind for the halls of Camford University in England, where he looks to continue his education, and teach an uptight student how to make the most out of her academic career.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mort Nathan
CAST:  Kal Penn  •  Daniel Percival  •  Lauren Cohan  •  Glen Barry

Taj Mahal Badalandabad leaves Coolidge College behind for the halls of Camford University in England, where he looks to continue his education, and teach an uptight student how to make the most out of her academic career.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mort Nathan
CAST:  Kal Penn  •  Daniel Percival  •  Lauren Cohan  •  Glen Barry
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