“Ram, I’m from India—but the accent I do, I’m told, isn’t Indian.” That might have been one of the most surprising things I heard early in my career. But then I heard it again… and again. And I began to realize—this wasn’t about regional accuracy. It was about expectation. A very specific idea of what an “Indian accent” is supposed to sound like in Hollywood, often shaped more by stereotype than by reality. I started hearing the same pattern from actors of all backgrounds. Not because they...

The New York accent is one of the most recognizable in film and television—bold, specific, and deeply tied to identity. From the grounded realism of characters in The Sopranos to the sharp, fast-paced delivery in Goodfellas, and even modern interpretations across series like Billions, strong performances show that a New York accent is not just about sound—it’s about rhythm, placement, and attitude working together. When done well, it feels effortless and lived-in. When it’s off, it...

The city of Chicago, known for its vibrant culture and rich history, has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. One distinctive...