#KetchupTalks: Right from drawing inspiration for Barnaby from his dad to the influence of his heritage on his roles, Aalok Mehta shares some deets about it all!

"I think of it as something to be grateful for, to be involved in a project that has something bigger than just entertainment," says Aalok Mehta on being a part of a show like The Chosen.

While we want to be taken to fantastical places, away from the wits and stress of our everyday lives, one cannot diminish the power that historical dramas hold with the audience. Our understanding of the myths and epics we grew up hearing about is shaped by the television shows and movies that we've watched, allowing us to connect with the gods and characters in these stories. The Chosen is one such historical drama that grabbed people’s attention with its story based on the life of Jesus. The seven-season series is set in the backdrop of Roman oppression in first-century Israel and shares an authentic and intimate look at Jesus’ revolutionary life and teachings. 

As the show is all set to release its fifth season after its recent premiere of season four, there is a lot that makes this show interesting, starting with the Indian presence in the show with characters like Barnaby. The fan-favorite character is played by actor and musician Aalok Mehta. Aalok began his career as a musician performing in bands as a lead singer/ songwriter. His debut film, American Chai, which he scored and starred in as the lead was the recipient of the Slamdance and GenArt Film Festival Audience Awards. He then created the role of Salim in the Original Broadway Cast of Lord Andrew Lloyd Weber and AR Rahman's Bombay Dreams. He can also be seen in the feature film, Dr. Brinks & Dr. Brinks on Amazon Prime and in the feature written and directed by Rebecca Miller, "She Came To Me" which premiered at Berlinale starring Peter Dinklage, Marisa Tomei, and Anne Hathaway. 

As he celebrates and basks in the love people have been showing him for his role as a series regular on The Chosen, Aalok speaks to us about everything that comes with being a part of a successful historical drama. For someone who has been a part of multiple projects in the past, he had a lot to share about the writing of the role of Barnaby, his approach to playing the role, the influence of his own Indian heritage, and much more.

Also Read: 7 fictional men of 2024 who make good role models

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How did you become a part of The Chosen? What drew you to the role of Barnaby? 

I auditioned like any actor would. My agent submitted me to the casting director, and I got to actually read for a different role - Nicodemus, which is played by another wonderful Indian actor, Erick Avari, and Dallas Jenkins, who is the writer, director, and creator of The Chosen. I think he really liked me but knew that I wasn't right for the particular role I had auditioned for. So he created the role of Barnaby. I think he saw some kind of sense of humor, and, I think I brought a little bit of self-deprecation to my audition. 

The character of Barnaby adds a unique touch to the series. How did you approach bringing this character to life?

I think being the comic relief or the person who perhaps has a foot in the mouth and says the wrong thing but is well-intentioned, tends to be in my wheelhouse. I tend to be that kind of person IRL where I often see the levity and the humor in situations and try to keep things light. And, also, Barnaby's got a lot of heart. And I think I drew from my dad who was born and raised in Mumbai. He was always the class clown but also the guy who was the biggest well-wisher of a cause. So I drew a little bit from my own father! Barnaby is sort of a superfan of Jesus and the ministry and the whole kind of movement. So, yeah, I had a lot to draw from my personal upbringing and from my ancestry. 

Given the historical and religious context of The Chosen, did you feel any particular pressure or responsibility in portraying your character?

I approached it kind of like any other job in terms of picking up a script and a lot of the message of the show is taken care of by the writing. However, there is a sense of responsibility but I think of it more as something to be grateful for, to have to be involved in a project that has something bigger than just entertainment. So in a way, it almost is comforting to be involved in something that has a message beyond just passing time, if you will. But, yeah, it is a responsibility but it's also a blessing. 

How has your Indian heritage influenced your journey as an actor, especially in projects like The Chosen?

I believe that everything we do, whether we are aware of it or not, is influenced by our upbringing. Personally, I try not to view my roles through the lens of my identity as an Indian or Indian American. However, there is a rich aspect to our culture as Indians. We often feel comfortable in large crowds, and I think that is congruent and analogous to Barnaby the character. I believe that part of my heritage works well with that character.

Barnaby reminds me a bit of a Gujarati person, not that we are all the same; there are many different types of Gujaratis. However, I connect with Barnaby's very social nature, which is something I also embody. I believe this aspect of my personality stems from my upbringing. As an actor, I find this connection quite interesting. A few years ago, I was in an acting class and was struggling to immerse myself in a particular scene.

My acting teacher, who isn’t Indian, told me to perform a scene in my native language. I was surprised, but he encouraged me to improvise the scene in any other language I spoke. So, I went ahead and did the scene in Gujarati. The other actor I was paired with was American and didn’t understand what I was saying, but it unlocked something within me. It created a visceral perspective on acting that I hadn’t experienced before. Now, sometimes when I struggle to connect with a scene, I think of it and translate it into Gujarati. This often reveals new layers and depth. Afterward, I return to the script and perform it in English, bringing a bit of that cultural richness with me. I believe this technique can be quite helpful.

Moreover, the roles we are suited for and how we fit into the entertainment landscape are certainly influenced by culture, ethnicity, and our roots. I feel fortunate to be in a time when these aspects are celebrated. In the U.S., we can see more individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds taking on roles that may not have originally specified their heritage in the script.

How has working on a faith-based series like The Chosen influenced your own views or beliefs? 

It's emotional actually! It's pretty amazing to connect to people of faiths, philosophical and ethnic backgrounds, and come together to create something that is just a beautiful story. I think that's really made me a little more tolerant of different people and less judgmental of different walks of life. Ultimately, I believe we all want the same thing, and it's special to work on a show that embodies something so universal.

We often get caught up in what I believe versus what you believe you know, but, ultimately, I think working on the show has made me less jaded, less of a coastal elite. It has been a positive change, not just for me but for many around me. The intangible elements of the script allow us to let go and surrender. It's fascinating how the cast and their experiences become part of the script in a sense, and I think that's a beautiful aspect of our work. I could talk for hours about this!

Can you share any memorable moments from the set that left a lasting impact on you?

There have been so many great moments in the show. There’s a scene in Season 3 but I don’t want to give away too many spoilers for those who haven’t seen it. There are times on set where I forget I’m acting; it’s a special feeling. You strive for those moments when you’re completely in the moment and fully immersed in the character, especially with such wonderful people around you. There have also been some funny moments!

I'll share a funny moment from season 1. There’s a scene with Paras Patel, who plays Matthew. We were at Matthew's house, and our director, Dallas Jenkins, had arranged a big spread of food. He encouraged us to actually eat the food during the shoot. In that master shot, I chose to eat a large hard-boiled egg. Since it was a night shoot, I ended up eating that egg over and over again for every take and angle. By the end of the night, I had eaten around 12 eggs, which was both miserable and hilarious. Everyone kept cracking up because I had to eat the egg while delivering my lines, so it was necessary for continuity to recreate that every time. 

Are there any upcoming projects you're excited about you can about that you can share with us? 

I recently worked on a Netflix movie produced by Happy Madison Productions and starring Amy Schumer. The film, which she wrote and starred in, is a lot of fun. My children, who are not actively pursuing acting but attend a performing arts school, had the chance to be in the movie and play my actual kids. They are only 12 and 9, so it was a special experience for us. In the film, my real wife, who is also an actress, plays my on-screen wife. We portray a family together, which made the project even more enjoyable. The movie is titled "Kind of Pregnant" and is set to be released in 2025. Keep an eye out for it!

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The Chosen Season 4 is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.