Acting & Theatre – DILIP MERALA

March 29, 2025

Best TV shows of 2025 so far

For a while, I have been complaining that there’s a lull in good film and TV content. A few years ago, I remember how there used to be a lot of excitement year after year as people waited in anticipation for a new season of Game of Thrones or The Big Bang Theory. It’s been a while since I have seen such a global frenzy or even shows that make you eagerly wait for the next episode. Until early this year, that is. Since my return from India in January 2025, I have watched some exhilarting stuff making me feel that well-written, well-shot, excellently performed, entertaining content is back in our lives.

It started, of course, with Apple TV’s Severance – an incredible, unique take on work-life balance/imbalance and identity. I’ve been waiting for this one ever since we finished watching season 1 last year and the second season did not dissapoint. 10 episodes went by real quick and I am already waiting for the next one. I did read an article that each episode takes $20 million to make and that makes me think how many more seasons they can sustain. The production house is called ‘Fifth Season Productions’ so may be that’s a hint.

The next one I liked is HBO’s The Pitt – yet another medical drama but nothing like I have ever seen before. I got interested in it as I saw John Wells (of The West Wing fame) was one of the Executive Producers. Heartbreaking at times, this show has a cool cast of actors I am witnessing for the first time (seriously, I have not seen a single one of these actors before and they are wonderful). It’s the story of a day in an emergency room with each episode portraying an hour starting 7 am.

And then there is HBO’s The White Lotus! Returning for season 3 set in Thailand this time, this show is a quirky take on luxury travel and the contrast between the lives of rich people on vacation vs those of the local staff. A couple of our favourites – Amy Lou Wood and Carrie COon – are in this season so that makes it all the more exciting. This shows is lways a cool mix of funny, thrilling and sometimes cringy!

And finally, the one that blew my mind away is Netflix’s Adolescence. Without giving away much, I can say it’s some of the best performances and cinematography I have seen in… well.. ever! It could be sad (especially for parents) but a stunning experience for actors and writers. It’s one of those thrilling shows that’ll make you sit quietly and think once you are done with it. Shoutout to Owen Cooper, whose performance took my breath away.

I should probably not spend this much time watching TV, no? Time to dive into a book for a bit!

March 2, 2025

Radio Show – March 2025

I’m all set to appear in another radio show produced by Mary Main Productions. Once again, I am fortunate to voice various characters in 4 stories but especially – detective Nick Charles, solving and preventing crimes with his wife Nora Charles (played by my better half, Summer). This interesting format where actors appear on stage as characters from 1930s radio artists and read from a script has been quite new and revelatory for me. Here’s some marketing material.

November 27, 2024January 20, 2025

New headshots

Thanks to our wonderful wedding photographer, Stephen Tang, I have some new headshots. It took a while to contemplate the pros and cons of the mustache look. Here are the results:

April 19, 2024

My take on George Sluizer’s ‘The Vanishing’

Where I grew up, the meaning of a “horror film” was a movie with several scares, some kind of ghost and/or at least one episode of posession/excorcism. However, according to the Oxford dictionary and my wife (I trust the latter more really), “horror” means an intense feeling of shock, fear or disgust. As such, many films with no ghosts or exorcisms whatsoever fall under this category. On recently learning that Stanley Kubrick claims it’s the most terrifying movie he has watched, we chose ‘The Vanishing’ (“Spoorloos” in Dutch) for our movie night. (Spoliers ahead) We paid $3.99 on Apple TV to rent it and spent a little under two hours experiencing, what I thought, was a brilliant take on a scary abduction.

I enjoyed several parts of the film. First, there is no attempt to make it a whodunnit. Quite early on in the movie, you know who did it. And still, the movie kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat. Second, I found the frames and cinematography to be very artistic. Set in France, the film did a pretty good job of giving me a sense of some French locales without making it look touristic. Third, I thought the way music was used in this film was quite interesting. It had a fine blend of silent montages with sporadic instrumental dramatic tunes. It playded well to build up the tension while still doing justice to the artistic shots. Then, the performances were quite impressive – especially Johanna ter Steege as the lively and vulnerable victim. Although I was listening to foreign languages (Dutch and French), their performances transcended the language barrier and I didn’t have to rely too heavily on the subtititles. Finally, what drove it home for me was the excellent use of metaphor. Two golden eggs floating in space. You’ll know it when you watch it.

We felt a sense of heaviness once we finished watching and I can say that this one will stay with us for a bit. Kudos to the entire team of this wonderful 1988 “horror” thriller.

October 28, 2023

Monster Mash – My California Stage Debut

After striking out on putting up my own production on stage in December 2021 due to the onset of the Omicron variant, I was deligted to be invited to play Dracula in MeMain Productions’ Monster Mash. Teaming up with an impressive, fun, enthusiastic group of artists (including my better half), I had a wonderful time rehearsing for this goofy show which went from scary to funny to emotional with no warning. And then, the shows themselves turned out to be a happy experience for me as an actor, and an exhilirating roller coaster for the audience.

I was ecstatic to be performing for a LIVE audience after four years. The last time I was in front of a LIVE theatre audience was The Rocky Horror Show in Dallas where I also got a chance to a do a little pre-show stand-up act. Then, I graduated, the pandemic hit, I moved to Los Angeles, and got busy with my day job as a Biotech Data Analytics Manager.

Thankfully, I had kept myself active with other gigs like stand-up acts, workshops, and lessons. It came in handy when I stepped back into my stage shoes for this extremely well-written show. The audiences were generous, some of them friends and family, others happy strangers who were sweet enough to stop by afterwards and pay a compliment. All in all, I would say we did quite a memorable MASH!

September 12, 2023

Coming Soon – A Halloween Special!

I am excited to share that I will be back on stage soon. Rehearsals are in full swing and this cast is a delight to work with. Stoked to see how this turns out! Also, it’s my first time professionally acting with someone special 😉

March 14, 2023

Rejoicing in RRR‘s Oscar win for Naatu Naatu

Summer and I watched the bulk of the Oscars 2023 event at Laurel Tavern in Studio City. As we sipped on beer and treated ourselves to some delicious salad and fries, I was eagerly awaiting one award – Best Original Song. Naatu Naatu from S.S. Rajamouli’s RRR had gained enough momentum to make it a front runner. However, when you consider that both Rihanna and Lady Gaga were in the running too, you can imagine why every Indian might have been cautiously optimistic.

When the moment came just before the name was announced, I felt both a bit anxious and happy in anticipation that it was indeed going to be Naatu Naatu. The electric performance by singers Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipliganj and a brilliant group of dancers had already gotten people in the auditorium rooting for it.

Ram Charan and Jr. NTR performing Naatu Naatu from RRR (Source: Netflix)

And then it happened. Janelle Monae, looking ravishing as ever, announced that the Oscar went to RRR…RRR…RRR! I applauded and hooted as the lone Indian at Laurel Tavern, with Summer and Max joining me in my enthusiasm. M. M. Keeravani singing his feelings away to the tune of ‘Top of the World’ by The Carpenters was a sweet cherry on the cake. It was truly one of those moments where I was proud of being an Indian and a Telugu boy 😊 I had forgotten what that felt like in the past few years. Thank you, Mr. Rajamouli and team RRR!

February 14, 2023February 14, 2023

Valentines Radio Show at The Main

When Summer told me she was doing a radio show, I obviously thought it would be a voice performance that’ll be available somewhere to listen to. I was surprised when she explained that it will be staged. I was naturally excited to see what the amazing cast and crew that gave us ‘Nancy, Who?’ and ‘Murder on the Newhall express’ will create this time. And once again – they did not disappoint!

The cool poster for Valentines Radio Show

The show consisted of three stories – ‘Flash Gordon’ and ‘The Thin Man’ before intermission, and ‘The Lone Sheriff’ after. Each one of the shows was crisp, funny and performed marvelously by the talented cast. The interactive element made it all the more engaging. The man playing the MC kept everyone interested throughout and the various accents and voice modulations employed by the actors were quite charming.

It was a great evening for me also because I got to hang out with Summer’s sisters, mom and brother-in-law as part of her cheer squad. I was so proud to see her perform in her third production since I met her. While I have been pondering over what to do next in acting, she has showed up for rehearsals and made things happen for herself. Talk about dedication and love for the craft!

Then, while the rest of the nation was busy watching the Super Bowl, we all got some food and drinks in the Newhall refinery next door. We “murmur”ed and said “Hooray” (just as they asked us to do during the show) to this lovely production 🙂

February 5, 2023

Potato song – My vegetable series

I have been meaning to do this for a while – a simple vegetable song series to get kids to eat their veggies. Starting with the one that’s a great source of vitamin C and potassium!

Dilip Merala’s Potato song

January 28, 2023February 5, 2023

Stand Up at Licorice Pizza on open mic night

I walked in a couple of minutes late around 7:02 pm. I thought since I had signed up at such short notice, my performance won’t be up until later. I was surprised to see that it the open mic night was already underway with an impressive musician singing to the piano tunes of a 16-year old artist. I put down my name in the register, literally the last one on a 9-item list.

I had visited this music store Licorice Pizza a couple of times as it was just a 7-min walk from home. Its cool sign outside that lights up in the evening, added to its stunning vibe. The eclectic record collection in the store along with some funky merchandise made it all the more alluring to people of all ages – especially music lovers! And then of course there’s the recent movie that added to its already prominent fame.

Host Aaron Ravioli on stand up night at Licorice Pizza in Studio City

Tanner was already in the audience when I walked in. Summer and I sat at the back listening to one musician after another playing some cool compositions. We also had the privilege of listening to a couple of high school poets – their words so sincere, honest and pure!

And then it was my turn to go up. I was about to perform in front of people after almost a year so I was naturally nervous – but also pumped. It helped that at least two of my friends were in the audience so expected at least some sympathy laughs! My 5-minute piece went pretty well I would say. I got some compliments from people later. I also got some genuine notes from Tanner and Summer which I can incorporate soon. Overall, it was an inspiring evening and provided some momentum for me to get back on the horse.

We went back to Laurel Tavern for a drink and some more talk about music, movies, comedy and more. Tanner and Summer seemed to hit it off over cultural references I was alien to. It was a good time at LT as always and we called it a night with the promise of seeing each other soon!