Renegades | Nik Dodani Blends Comedy & Horror in “The Parenting”

We revisit the actor and filmmaker two years later, on the heels of a scary new film

Welcome to Renegades, Gold House’s editorial series spotlighting Asian Pacific leaders and creatives who are carving their own paths and defying stereotypes along the way. This week’s Renegade is actor, writer, director, producer, comedian, and co-founder of The Salon, Nik Dodani!

Two years ago, we sat down with Nik for the first time. With the release of his new film The Parenting, now streaming on Max, we revisited Nik to learn more about his ongoing journey through the industry, to reflect on his past iconic roles, and to see what he’s looking forward to next.

The Parenting blends horror and comedy, making comedic timing crucial. What drew you to the role of Rohan and how did you prepare to balance humor with horror? Was there a particular scene where finding that balance was especially challenging?

I was immediately drawn to Rohan because I related to his perfectionism and desperate need for his parents’ approval. (I am neurotic). Though, to be fair, who wouldn’t be desperate to impress if your parents are Brian Cox and Edie Falco? To get ready for the role, I really thought about all the ways we become alternate versions of ourselves around different people—like how you can instantly regress into a teenage version of yourself when your parents show up. This is some true actor nonsense, but I love tackling characters from the outside, like “What will the audience think the moment they see me on screen before I say a word?”

So it was fun to figure out with the director and crew how someone carrying so much tension and desperation would move and hold themselves: how he’d dress, how he’d make his hair or trim his beard, what kind of box he would pick for the engagement ring, that kind of thing. The demon possession scene at the end was challenging to balance tonally—you’ve got Brian Cox speaking in tongues, which is objectively hilarious, but you also gotta land the genuinely unsettling sensation of being possessed. That’s what makes horror-comedy so fun though. One second you’re laughing, the next you’re jumping.

Nik Dodani, Vivian Bang, and Lisa Kudrow in The Parenting

Last summer you starred in Twisters alongside Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones, so you’re no stranger to working with an all-star cast. What did you take away from that filming experience that helped you navigate The Parenting where you share the screen with legendary actors like Brian Cox and Lisa Kudrow?

Both experiences felt like going to acting school with the best possible teachers. With The Parenting, during the day, we were shooting these ridiculous scenes and at night we were hanging out at our haunted hotel in Concord, Massachusetts. It created this summer camp vibe where I could learn from these legends up close, both on screen and off. Seeing how differently they all approach scenes—Brian fully committing to every bizarre moment, Edie nailing complex scenes in one take, Lisa’s brilliant comedic instincts—was surreal. The biggest lesson was just to be prepared and present, because these veterans will absolutely bring their A-game every time, so you gotta show up.

Blue Boy is a coming-of-age short film that you wrote and directed, marking your directorial debut. Why did you choose this as your first directing project and how personal was this story to you?

Blue Boy is about a kid who thinks he’s the reincarnation of a god but is actually just gay, which resonated deeply to the aforementioned performative brat in me. And I just love coming-of-films that get at universal emotions that transcend specific backgrounds. So, to write and direct a film that explores those confusing moments—when you’re figuring out who you are while navigating expectations at home and school—was really meaningful. I’m very excited for folks to see the feature adaptation, hopefully someday soon.

Aariq Manji in Blue Boy

You’ve been an outspoken advocate for South Asian and LGBTQ+ representation in Hollywood. How do you hope your work, both behind the camera and on-screen, contributes to driving meaningful change in the industry?

Obviously, I want to help tell stories with characters who are queer and/or South Asian, but I want to do it in a way where that’s not their entire storyline. In The Parenting, Rohan is gay and Indian, but the movie is about universal experiences—getting anxious around your partner’s parents, wanting everything to be perfect, fearing that the people we love won’t love each other. I’m most excited by projects that feature diverse characters navigating these relatable human emotions. Real change happens when we get to be heroes, villains, love interests, and everything in between—not just token characters.

Looking ahead, are there any projects or new directions you’re excited to explore next?

I’m really drawn to stories that blend genres in unexpected ways, like how The Parenting mixes family comedy with horror, or how Blue Boy blends coming-of-age comedy with magical realism. I’m excited to direct more, especially projects that play with this kind of genre-blending. And I’d jump at the chance to act in projects like The Parenting or Twisters or Atypical again—my time with every single actor and filmmaker I’ve gotten to work with was pure joy.

Nik Dodani and Brandon Flynn in The Parenting

Thank you for reading Renegades!