Exclusive Interview: Agam Darshi Brings Us Behind the Scenes of Donkeyhead

Agam Darshi is the star, writer, producer, and director behind Donkeyhead.

The award-winning drama tells the story of a failed writer who unravels after her father’s health takes a turn for the worse and her three siblings show up to handle the situation.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Agam about her career, Donkeyhead, and more!

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts and storytelling?
Agam: I’ve always been creative. I’ve always loved performing, telling stories, and listening to stories. I earned a degree from a university in visual arts with a focus on photography. So it wasn’t a big surprise when I went down this path of acting and filmmaking.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Agam: I think the fact that there are so few South Asians in this industry has been the biggest motivation in my career. It’s the reason why I’m still doing what I’m doing—because I believe it matters, and we need to see more representation. We’re seeing so much more diversity in film and TV which is so exciting, but there is a huge gap.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Agam: Working with Deepa Mehta on Funny Boy will always have a place in my heart. I loved that film, that role, and working with her. She’s an icon and has been an inspiration from the beginning of my career. To have this manifest is awe-inspiring. A few months after that I worked with Ava DuVernay on an HBO show. Again, it was an inspiring experience. I have been a fan of hers since watching 13th back in 2006. Both women are so smart and are such strong leaders, and I was thrilled to have been able to work with them.

PC: Tell us about Donkeyhead and the inspiration behind the film.
Agam: Donkeyhead is a film that I started writing on and off years ago. I wanted to write a film about family. A family that looked and felt like me, that felt as South Asian as they did North American. Also, I lived with my dad when he was undergoing chemo. I saw what an ugly disease it was and saw how much my mom cared for him. I think caregivers are unsung heroes. I wanted to give voice to that.

PC: Not only are you starring in the film, but you also wrote, directed, and produced it. How challenging was it to wear all these different hats?
Agam: It was a lot of hard work. But it never felt impossible. I feel very confident as an actor, but I had a big learning curve ahead of me as a director. That was the area I needed to spend the most time and energy on. When we got into production, somehow, I was able to swing back and forth between actor and director easily. It was tiring and a lot of work, but for some reason, it didn’t feel like a big adjustment to play both roles. I think preparation was key. I was ridiculously prepared.

PC: The film has been incredibly well received. What do you think resonated most with audiences?
Agam: I think audiences can feel when a film is authentic. There is universality in specificity. Donkeyhead is very specific in its setting, the characters, and the nuances in the culture. But through that kind of specificity, every culture can relate. I think the cast is also dynamite, and you can’t deny a great performance.

PC: This is your full-length feature film debut as a writer, director, and producer. Did anything surprise you about the experience? What was the biggest takeaway?
Agam: I was surprised at my ability to switch hats easily. The biggest takeaway is that people want to believe in something. A crew and a cast want a director who believes in a story. So does the audience. So do the funders. People want to see passion. Passion grabs you and shakes you and makes you listen. If you are passionate, let it speak. People will listen.

PC: Besides Donkeyhead, what’s next for you?
Agam: I’m writing my next feature entitled Tiny Birds with Broken Brains. It’s a coming-of-age drama about a South Asian family living in a rural town in the ’80s and ’90s and centers on a challenging relationship between a mother and daughter.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Agam: Anything food related. Most recently, it was The Final Table on Netflix.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Agam: Pretty Woman.

PC: Favorite book?
Agam: The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Agam: I love Hamilton. I love Gypsy (saw it on Broadway years ago with Patti LuPone—it was amazing).

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Agam: Leonard Cohen. Although, I think he should be on everyone’s playlist.

PC: Dream role?
Agam: I want to play a vampire.

To keep up with Agam, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Watch Donkeyhead on Netflix today.

Photo Credit: Brandon Hart