The comedian-turned-superhero is changing the narrative for South Asian representation in the latest Marvel film
With ten immortal beings responsible for protecting Earth, Eternals makes plenty of room to include a variety of international actors, and director Chloe Zhao delivered. She understands the importance of representation in film, both on screen and behind the scenes, and used her Oscar acceptance speech in 2020 to drive that point home.
Kumali Nanjiani is included in the cast and plays Kingo, an eternal being with superhuman strength. Despite it being 2021, Nanjiani’s the first South Asian superhero as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Pakistani actor has spoken openly about how South Asian characters are often grouped together, telling Variety’s #REPRESENT: Success Stories: “(When) we’re represented here, it all gets flattened into one thing. Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, it all gets squished into one.”
See more: Marvel’s Eternals: Watch the Final Trailer and Meet the Cast
For Eternals, it was crucial for Nanjiani to create distinguishing factors for viewers to relate to. In a video interview with MSNBC, he discusses the stereotypes of characters he’s played in the past, saying: “We’re either nerds or terrorists. We’re either fixing computers or planning something nefarious. I wanted to have Kingo be someone who was the exact opposite of the kinds of things I have seen people who look like us play.”
Kingo’s backstory explains the when he was sent to Earth, he grew fond of humans and decided to settle in India to become a Bollywood movie star and director. These details are prevalent in his costume, cultural habits and character traits, and reflects Nanjiani’s beliefs in real life too.
His signature colour in the film is a rich purple representative of the vibrant colour palette of Indian garments. His superhero outfit draws from traditional clothing as he wears armour styled as a sherwani.