Kal Penn On Fashion, Film —And Finding It Funny
What makes a man at his best? A sense of humour, as Kal Penn proved when he rolled into town
Kal Penn may have been born to Gujarati parents and visited India thrice in the last four months, but he’s still adjusting to ‘Indian Standard Time.’
“When did everyone get here? I was told the red carpet starts at 7pm,” he quips. It’s almost 8 pm now, and Penn is slated to address the fashion glitterati gathered for Lakme Fashion Week’s 25th anniversary gala in Mumbai.
To pass the time, he gives us an exclusive glimpse of his look for the evening: a velvet tuxedo with handcrafted embroidery, exquisitely adorned with crystals and beadwork. But what really drew the actor—and former White House staffer—in was the intricately embroidered silver lion on the blazer’s right side.
“I kind of wanted something that fit the occasion—we’re celebrating 25 years of Indian fashion. Also, it’s Manish Malhotra. I love the blacks and how contoured it is. And there’s a lion on it. I just saw the lion and I was like, ‘That’s pretty amazing,’” he says, gleefully showing it off. He’s not the only one lioning it— everyone in the room stops to admire the big cat. A velvet tuxedo isn’t exactly rewriting the rulebook, but it’s this singular detail—embroidered meticulously by Malhotra’s artisans—that makes Indian fashion so distinctive and impactful, especially on the global stage.
“When it comes to Indian fashion, you’re talking about 5,000 years of history—which is rich in storytelling,” Penn says. “So much of it is made by artisans, trained over generations, and the fabrics they create. While they may be working in Mumbai now, their craft tells the stories of where they come from. It’s diverse, it’s layered—and it’s an honour to wear.”
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For Penn, an actor and author, it always comes back to the story—even with the cool watch on his wrist. I ask if it’s special. A gift, maybe? He grins. “No, not really. They told me to bring a watch,” he laughs. “I’m not a big leather or fur fan, and I just really liked that the watch had a vegan strap.” Penn has described himself as an ‘aspiring vegan’ and is an investor in Impossible Foods, a company that makes plant-based meat substitutes.
Integrating more greens into his diet hasn’t just eased Penn’s conscience—it’s done wonders for his skin. “See, I didn’t even pay her that much to say that,” he quips, as the evening’s make-up artist compliments his complexion. Then, deadpan: “When it comes to skincare, what I do is take a bowl, fill it with hand sanitiser, and just dip my face in it—to kind of open the pores.” The room erupts in laughter.
His publicist pops in—guests have arrived, and it’s time for photos. I slip in one last question: What defines a ‘man at his best’, as the unofficial Esquire tagline goes?
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“I think it’s subjective—that’s the nice thing about it,” he says without missing a beat. “But I’d say it’s about being empathetic, confident and having a sense of humour. Shit’s not that serious.”
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