Crazy Poor Asian Driver

Sarjeet was supposed to be in Crazy Rich Asians as a “calefare” chauffeur driving a Toyota Vellfire.

THE cast of Crazy Rich Asians included me. I auditioned and was chosen to play Colin’s (Chris Pang) driver.

The local casting company had asked me about the car I owned, the bikes I rode, and whether I could walk, talk, dance, swim et al. These had something to do with matching my skills to the movie character.

With my salt and pepper hair, I thought I could have played Nick Young’s (Henry Golding) father, who was not seen in the movie but mentioned. I could have kissed Michelle Yeoh.

But the casting folks thought I looked more like a chauffeur. Perhaps they were right. Personal drivers in Asia are supposed to be older men. But strangely, a younger guy was also cast as Colin’s other driver.

And so, the day of the shoot arrived. It was at Changi Airport. There were three hundred other extras that morning who also reported at 6:30am in the waiting room. But I was the lead “calefare”, if there was such a thing.

I felt like George Clooney when my name was called out first that morning to receive my first Hollywood paycheck.