3 texts in which Kal Penn is acting in, 2 Lead roles and 1 cameo role.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8dmSsObmkM
Van wilder - Intro of Kal Penn as Taj..
Released in 2002
Box office
Budget - $5 million
Marketing cost - $15 million
Opening Weekend Gross (Domestic) - $7,302,913
Total Domestic Grosses - $21,305,259
Total Overseas Grosses - $16,970,224
Total Worldwide Grosses - $38,275,483

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lBZC-OCQFk
Van wilder 2 - the rise of taj - Kal Penn in more of a leading role
Although sequel was not released in cinemas and has been very niche for audiences.
went very bad with critics, Kal Penn was the only familar face in a cast full of nobodies. which says it all about the film.
released in 2006 - straight to DVD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M5TM94lqYY&feature=related
The Namesake - Kal Penn in 1st major leading role
Although he plays a stereotypical role for his character and the film is in relation to his ethnic background and includes other south indian actors. which could be argued that it is a very safe role for him to play. The film touches on stereotpes and rasicm.
Released in 2006
Top ten lists
The film appeared on several critics' top ten lists of the best films of 2007
6th - Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor
8th - Carrie Rickey, The Philadelphia Inquirer
8th - Claudia Puig, USA Today
9th - James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Awards and nominations
Won - Love is Folly International Film Festival (Bulgaria) - "Golden Aphrodite" - Mira Nair
Nominated - Casting Society of America - "Best Feature Film Casting" - Cindy Tolan
Nominated - Gotham Awards 2007 - "Best Film" - Mira Nair & Lydia Dean Pilcher
Nominated - Independent Spirit Award - "Best Supporting Male" - Irrfan Khan