Indian American Director Andrij Parekh wins an Emmy

Named best director of a dramatic series for his work on HBO’s “Succession.”

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Indian American Director Andrij Parekh, was named best director of a dramatic series for his work on HBO’s “Succession” in 2020 Emmy Awards.

Parekh, best known as a cinematographer on films like “Blue Valentine” and “The Zookeeper’s Wife,” accepted from a hotel room in Prague where he was shooting a commercial, according to Star Tribune.

“I am deeply honored and humbled by this award. This distinction has been bestowed upon me on my birthday. So, thank you for the gift,” he said.

“The show has been such a professional dream starting as a cinematographer,” Parekh said dedicating the award to “all the kids whose names like mine are difficult to pronounce”.

“To those who don’t look like their classmates and are defined as outsiders, as hyphenated Americans and not simply just Americans. This is proof that you belong and this Emmy is ours,” he added.

His parents weren’t expecting to hear their son’s name called as they watched from their home in Medina, Tribune said.

“Succession,” also won an Emmy for best drama, and one for “Watchmen,” which was named best limited series.

Parekh beat out some heavy hitters, including Mimi Leder whose credits include the feature film “The Basis of Sex” and some of the most memorable episodes of “ER.”

“We were kind of shocked,” mother Lesya Parekh was quoted as saying, sharing that she and her husband celebrated by popping open a bottle of Champagne. “Since it was one of his first directing jobs, we thought he wasn’t going to get it.”

Born in Boston and raised in Minneapolis, Parekh, who graduated from the Blake School and Carleton College, followed up his virtual acceptance speech with a phone call home.

“He was thrilled,” she said. “He said, ‘I hope I made you proud.’ We said, ‘Absolutely.’”

Parekh’s various assignment in the past include “Half Nelson”, “Sugar”, “13 Reasons Why”, “Madame Bovary” and “Show Me A Hero”, “Dead Roosters.”