“Catharsis isn't art. You can't rely on catharsis to get a laugh. Because guess what? People do laugh when something's shocking, but that is, to me, the absolute fakest of laughs. That's not something that sustains a television series, or a movie, or even 45 minutes of a stand-up set at Carolines.”

American actress, comedian, screenwriter, and producer

Mindy Kaling is an American actress, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. Working in television, she has built a career across performance and writing and has earned major industry recognition, including a Tony Award and six Primetime Emmy Award nominations. She founded Kaling International in 2012. Her honors also include the National Medal of the Arts in 2021 and the Producers Guild of America’s Norman Lear Achievement in Television Award in 2023.