The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) presented this year’s Justice in Action Awards to Indian-American actor Kal Penn.
Penn was honored for his advocacy for representation in media and his service on behalf of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, a press release from AALDEF said.
In a video, award-winning filmmaker Mira Nair, who cast Penn as the lead in her 2006 film, ‘The Namesake’ said, “As an activist and an artist, Kal has never shied away from his roots. He is unapologetic about who he is, and yet is an incredible bridge builder, creating a strong sense of allyship and solidarity with other communities”.
The awards ceremony, held recently at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City, was the highlight of AALDEF’s 2022 Lunar New Year Gala, celebrating the Year of the Tiger.
Penn, known for his role in the ‘Harold and Kumar’ film franchise, is set to star as a lead opposite Tim Allen and Elizabeth Mitchell in Disney Plus’s upcoming limited series, ‘The Santa Clause’, from creator Jack Burditt.
