Jasmeet Raina questions the meaning of success in Season 2 of Late Bloomer

While making the second season of his dramedy Late Bloomer, Jasmeet Raina found himself in an unfamiliar position: the director's chair.
Having created, starred in, and co-written the series, Raina also directed some episodes this season, something that had been an ambition of his for several years.
"It's always been a passion," he says. "I wanted to go to film school to direct, but it never panned out.
Late Bloomer follows YouTuber Jasmeet Dutta, It's a story that's loosely based on Raina's own career as an early 2010s YouTube sensation. He says that while he was technically directing during his YouTube days, directing episodic television is a much different process
"[On YouTube] it was five or 10 people, now it's like literally 150 people who need to know exactly what they're doing," he says, adding that the biggest challenge has been learning how to translate the vision that exists in his brain to the rest of the team.
"I know what I want in my head, and then I have to relay that information to everybody else that's involved when it comes to like sound , where the camera being set up, where's the grip going? Lighting. All this stuff," he says.
Season 2 sees the protagonist leave his parents' house, trading it in for a hovel-like basement apartment he shares with a seemingly ever-growing number of Indian international students. Raina says the storyline gave him a chance to explore what he sees as the tension between Canadian Punjabis like him and more recent arrivals.
"I wanted to show that dynamic and the privilege my character has," he says. "At the beginning of the episode, I'm listing all these problems, and one of the students is like 'Why don't you go back home?' Because, like, they don't really have that option."
It's a subject he explores further in a capsule episode later on in the season, which moves away from his character and focuses on one of the other residents of the basement apartment, a character he describes as "trying to do everything right, but everything keeps going wrong for him." Raina says he wanted to draw attention to a virulent strain of anti-South Asian racism he's seen pop up in the last few years, one that's particularly focused on international students and other recent arrivals who he says are often used as scapegoats for everything from the housing crisis to street crime.
He adds that he spent the summer talking to international students and temporary foreign workers working in food delivery in order to better flesh out the character.
"While I was writing this episode, I would pull over random Uber Eats drivers, or if there was any that recognized me, I'd just try to strike up a conversation with them… and be like, 'Yo, tell me about your experience. How was it… coming from Punjab or coming from India and now you're here? What's your family situation like? What's your dating situation like? How are you making things work?' And so I was able to hear a bunch of different stories."
While Raina was a hit on YouTube, his onscreen alter-ego, Dutta, finds himself caught in an odd trap of online fame: he's too successful at this to feasibly work a real job, but not yet successful enough that online videos are a full-time living. It's a situation that leads him to question his choices.
"He's kind of in this weird middle place where he doesn't really know where he's going, but he's just like 'I think I have to do this. I just think I have to keep pushing,'" says Raina.
Raina says that one of his "personal philosophies" that's crept into the show is to question what it means to be successful.
"Society in general places emphasis on success and just money and being successful at [any] cost, like, whatever you gotta do to get there," he says. "That's the most amount of value we place on a person."
But having experienced some pretty impressive success as a YouTuber, and then having stepped back from it for five years prior to starting work on Late Bloomer, Raina says that success and acclaim aren't necessarily all they're cracked up to be.
"I experienced this huge amounts of success, but there were like certain parts of me that I felt were still stuck in, like, my late teens and early 20s," he says."That's why I took that time away."
He adds that ultimately, "making it" and material success are meaningless if it comes at the expense of being a good, empathetic person who knows themselves, and that the most important thing is "striving to help each other out, because we're all kind of in this together."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Style Blueprint

5 days ago

• Style Blueprint

Cool Adult Clubs in Memphis: Find Your People in the 901

Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit New to town or looking to expand your circle? Whether you are an introvert, an extrovert, or something in between, finding like-minded people who share your passions is easier than you might think. From stimulating book chats and competitive runs to gardening workshops and game nights, Memphis offers an array of groups you can join to connect with new friends through shared interests! For Book Lovers A Novel Book Club More Info: Tucked inside the beloved East Memphis indie bookstore, this club hosts monthly discussions that go deep. Expect a mix of genres, themed reads, and the occasional guest author. Anyone is welcome — no registration required — and members help choose future reading selections. Bonus: You can grab coffee and browse for more books while you're there! Memphis Public Library Book Clubs More Info: Several local library branches run themed clubs open to the public, covering topics ranging from mystery to memoir. Many also offer virtual options, host speakers, and hold special events tied to each book's theme. Memphis Girls Book Club More Info: Founded in 2023 to foster literacy and community among girls who share a passion for reading, this fun, intimate book club hosts monthly meetings and mini-meets at spots around town. The goal is to provide a haven for women to explore new books, find new friends, and give back to the community. The group even has an online platform for members to connect and engage. Pin The New Romantics Book Club More Info: Instagram Run by spunky twin sisters, Stacey and Steph, this club is perfect for hopeless romantics, avid chick-flick watchers, and readers who love stories that end in a kiss. The group shares its monthly book picks via Instagram and hosts live reading sprints each weekend on its YouTube channel, along with a live book discussion at the end of each month. Pin Silent Book Club – Memphis Chapter More Info: Not a fan of structured discussions? The Silent Book Club is for you. The club, dubbed the 'Introvert Happy Hour,' is a no-pressure way to enjoy reading together — quietly. Meet at a cozy venue with your book of choice, read in silence, and chat afterward (or not). No assigned reading or small talk required! For the Movers & Shakers Memphis Runners Track Club More Info: One of the largest and most active running clubs in the South, the nonprofit MRTC promotes health and fitness through amateur road racing, cross-country, and track — all in the spirit of fun and competition. This club isn't just for marathoners; all levels are welcome! Join weekly group runs, training programs, fun events like 'Brew Runs,' and the club's annual Road Race Series. Pin Grind City Cycling More Info: Instagram Love biking? Whether you're into scenic city rides or off-road adventures, this club offers organized routes, trail exploration, and social rides across Memphis and the Mid-South with other cycling enthusiasts. It even sponsors charity events like the annual Paint The Streets Pink ride, which raises money for breast cancer research and awareness. Outdoor Adventures Meetup More Info: Want to get out of the city and into nature? This outdoor-centric meetup group has a calendar full of adventures you can sign up for, from kayaking and canoeing to hiking, camping, and backpacking. Get to know other nature buffs and explore natural treasures in Memphis and the surrounding area. For Green Thumbs & Creatives Memphis Area Master Gardeners More Info: Backed by the University of Tennessee Extension, the group allows gardeners (and aspiring gardeners) to take workshops, join community projects, and swap tips with fellow gardeners. You can train to become a certified master gardener — or just learn how to keep your succulents from wilting. Pin Memphis Herb Society More Info: Instagram For those intrigued by culinary, medicinal, or decorative herbs, this club dives into everything herbal: cooking, medicine, landscaping, and crafts. Meetings, which take plaoccur at the Memphis Botanic Garden, include hands-on demos, tastings, and talks by expert herbalists. MidSouth Makers More Info: Part hackerspace, part creative collective, MidSouthMakers in East Memphis is a hub for DIYers, hosting regular classes, workshops, and open studio nights. The collaborative space caters to diverse interests, from 3D printing and electronics to woodworking and stained glass, to bring builders, tinkerers, artists, and makers together under one roof. Pin For the Quirky & Curious Memphis Chess Club More Info: Founded in 1877, this downtown club has been reinvented into a café, social club, and tournament space all in one, bringing new life to a classic game. You don't need to be the next Bobby Fischer to join — it's open to all skill levels. Drop in to play casually or competitively, take lessons, or just sip coffee (or cocktails) while watching others strategize. If chess isn't your thing, the club is stocked with loads of other board games, including Monopoly and checkers. Pin Memphis Board Game Group More Info: Facebook Hosted at rotating bars, cafes, and game stores throughout Memphis, this casual group welcomes tabletop gamers of all experience levels. Expect to find everything from blackjack to Dungeons & Dragons. Play new games, meet fellow gamers, and learn from seasoned players in a relaxed setting. Toastmasters Memphis More Info: Are you looking to polish your public speaking or leadership skills? Multiple Toastmasters groups meet weekly across the city, offering a supportive environment to practice and build confidence. Ready to join? Most clubs are open to newcomers and host events year-round. Check out their websites or social media for current meet-ups and sign-up details. Here's to meeting new people! ********** To stay in the know on the best of the South, subscribe to our daily emails! About the Author Emily McMackin Emily McMackin Dye is an Alabama native and Tennessee transplant, who recently moved to Memphis from Nashville. A freelance writer, she enjoys exploring history, culture, and the lifestyle scene surrounding her new home in The Bluff City.

Winnipeg Free Press

5 days ago

• Winnipeg Free Press

At Winnipeg's House of Saturn tattoos, the goal is make customers feel at home in their bodies

According to astrologers, a rite of passage occurs when Saturn returns to the same celestial position it occupied on the day you were born. This period coincides with the late 20s and is said to bring on intense bouts of self-reflection, growth and transformation. For Kiana Delos Santos, the ringed planet offered a fitting metaphor for her new cosmetic tattoo business, House of Saturn. 'It's really about becoming your true form,' says the permanent makeup artist and casual horoscope follower. 'Something so private and personal can still change someone's life, because it makes them feel more like themselves.'–Delos Santos Delos Santos, 28, and partner Jesse Ojenma, 33, opened House of Saturn last October in a sunny sixth-floor suite at 70 Arthur St. The art-filled studio has huge arched windows — the trim painted lime green — and several stations, where the couple offers long-lasting makeup, areola reconstruction, scar revision and tattoo removal. Two tattoo artists also rent space in the shop. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS House of Saturn is in a sixth-floor space in the Exchange District. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS House of Saturn is in a sixth-floor space in the Exchange District. The duo's goal is to enhance what's already there, restore what's been lost and remove what no longer resonates. Delos Santos traces her interest in cosmetics to childhood sleepovers with her older cousins, who often treated her as their makeover guinea pig. They also introduced her to the positive power of brow shaping. 'People would not shut up about (my eyebrows) when I got them done,' she says. 'It really does change your look completely.' After watching a YouTube tutorial, Delos Santos learned how to thread her own brows and, as a teen, started offering the service to others. She trained with a local brow artist and launched her own permanent makeup career in 2018. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Tattoo artist Kiana Delos Santos says her work is about 'becoming your true form.' MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Tattoo artist Kiana Delos Santos says her work is about 'becoming your true form.' Permanent makeup, also called micropigmentation, employs a handheld machine, similar to a tattoo gun, to recreate the look of makeup. It's a practice that's been around for decades but has experienced a popularity boom in recent years. While Delos Santos specializes in brows, eyeliner, lip blush and freckles, her scar and areola work is equally meaningful. With scar restoration, she uses a tattoo pen to bring blood flow to the area and encourage further healing. With areola reconstruction, she creates highly realistic nipple tattoos for clients who've undergone breast cancer or gender-affirming top surgery. KIANA DELOS SANTOS PHOTO Areola reconstruction can be undertaken after gender-affirming top surgery. KIANA DELOS SANTOS PHOTO Areola reconstruction can be undertaken after gender-affirming top surgery. 'Something so private and personal can still change someone's life, because it makes them feel more like themselves,' she says, adding permanent makeup can create a similar reaction. 'They're feeling fresh and they don't have to think about their appearance, which is something people may struggle with on a day-to-day basis.' Delos Santos sees many people hoping to fix their pencil-thin ''90s brows,' which never grew back after being plucked to oblivion. 'I wouldn't have a career if that era didn't exist,' she says with a laugh. Since trends are fleeting, subtlety is the name of the game. Delos Santos uses application techniques that allow the makeup to fade over two or three years as the skin naturally regenerates. Sun exposure, skin-care routines and pigmentation can also impact longevity. KIANA DELOS SANTOS PHOTO Nano brows are created using a thin needle to create individual hair strokes. KIANA DELOS SANTOS PHOTO Nano brows are created using a thin needle to create individual hair strokes. 'I would rather people come every few years to get things updated than be stuck with something for many years,' she says, adding the industry is slowly moving away from heavy lines and deep application for fashionable and practical reasons. These days, Delos Santos prefers crafting nano brows — using a thin needle to create individual hair strokes — over microblading, a waning trend in which pigment is dropped into the skin through tiny incisions. If the ink is deposited too deeply, it can get trapped in the oil-producing layer of the skin and become discoloured over time. 'When you see someone with blue or green eyebrows, it's usually a depth issue,' she says. 'That's actually why we have Jesse doing brow removal now.' Originally from Brampton, Ont., Ojenma moved to Winnipeg after meeting Delos Santos while she was vacationing in Ontario. The pair have been together for nine years and are now co-workers, with Ojenma handling shop logistics and tattoo removals. KIANA DELOS SANTOS PHOTO Lip blush KIANA DELOS SANTOS PHOTO Lip blush The couple often do consultations together, since pairing both procedures can make natural-looking results more achievable. Ojenma uses a pico laser, which delivers short pulses to break up tattoo ink. 'When the laser hits the ink, it blows up into tiny particles,' he says. 'It could take six to eight weeks to see results, because it goes through your (lymph system) and your body has to flush it out.' Complete removal can take multiple sessions, which can become slightly more painful as the laser frequency increases. True to the shop's namesake, opening House of Saturn has been a transformative experience for Delos Santos, who is Filipina and was diagnosed with ADHD later in life. Every Second Friday The latest on food and drink in Winnipeg and beyond from arts writers Ben Sigurdson and Eva Wasney. 'As someone who's both neurodivergent and a minority, I didn't always see people like me owning businesses,' she says. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS House of Saturn co-owners Jesse Ojenma (left) and Kiana Delos Santos MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS House of Saturn co-owners Jesse Ojenma (left) and Kiana Delos Santos Running her own space has allowed her to explore other forms of artful body modification, such as traditional tattooing and Filipino hand-poking, called batok. She and Ojenma also regularly host community events, such as sound baths, pottery workshops and drop-in art programming. Find more information about House of Saturn on Instagram (@ Eva WasneyReporter Eva Wasney has been a reporter with the Free Press Arts & Life department since 2019. Read more about Eva. Every piece of reporting Eva produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Canada Standard

15-06-2025

• Canada Standard

'Overwhelmed with emotions': Zeenat Aman as she boards Air India flight days after crash

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 15 (ANI): Veteran actor Zeenat Aman took to social media to share an emotional moment after boarding an Air India flight on Saturday, just days after the tragic crash of a London-bound Air India aircraft near Ahmedabad. The accident, which claimed over 200 lives, has left the country in shock, drawing an outpouring of grief from public figures and citizens alike. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Zeenat posted a picture of herself seated aboard the flight, describing her feelings as 'overwhelming' in the wake of the national tragedy. 'Boarded an Air India flight this morning and found myself absolutely overwhelmed with emotion as I buckled my seat. May our collective grief offer some solace to those who lost their loved ones,' she wrote. The crash has triggered a wave of condolences from across the country, with Bollywood icons joining the nation in mourning. In a personal blog post, Amitabh Bachchan wrote, 'Most pained and filled with immense remorse on the Air India crash... May grief transform into solidarity in honouring lost lives... and for the healing of all.' Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan also expressed their sorrow through social media, offering prayers and support for the affected families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site in Ahmedabad on Friday, calling the scene 'saddening' and commending the tireless work of emergency teams. 'Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening,' he wrote on X. The flight carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian passenger. Authorities confirmed that only one individual, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British citizen of Indian descent, survived the crash. He is currently undergoing treatment for his injuries. Airline officials identified the pilots as Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a senior trainer with over 8,000 flying hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar. The aircraft had issued a Mayday call before losing contact with air traffic control. In the aftermath, Air India's parent company, Tata Group, has pledged Rs 1 crore in compensation to the families of the deceased. (ANI)