Many know Vikas Khanna as a Michelin star chef, a judge on MasterChef India, or for his work as a humanitarian. However, this well-known restaurateur is now making headlines with his directorial debut The Last Color, a powerful narrative about India's Supreme Court decision to overturn a law that prohibits widows from celebrating Holi. Drawing from his own life's experiences and driven by the need to tell honest stories, Khanna addresses misogyny, India's caste system, and the importance of advocacy in this touching film.

Jitin Hingorani, Khanna's PR manager for The Last Color, invited me to join them on the eighth floor of the Canopy Hotel for a private reception. With the Dallas skyline as our backdrop, I asked Khanna about the similarities between the restaurant industry and the film industry, India's rich culture, and why The Last Color resonates with so many people.

With the 2019 Dallas International Film Festival in full swing, I had the chance to sit down with Plano native Alex Chi to discuss his most recent film with Gook director Justin Chon. Chi produced Ms. Purple, a tender depiction of the reunion between two siblings at the height of their father's terminal illness. On a warm Sunday afternoon in the lobby of the Canopy Hotel, we discussed the film's heavy themes, the nuances of producing, and the importance of elevating Asian American stories.