American editor Varun Viswanath, who grew up as a Tamil-Malayali boy in Bengaluru, experienced an unexpected jolt on a seemingly ordinary morning. As he wrestled his son into the car, his phone buzzed with an unusual call from his co-editor, Patrick. The rare occurrence brought thrilling news, “We did it! We got nominated!” For first-time Emmy nominee Varun, the memory of a young boy handling stage lights in Bengaluru city hall seemed a distant past. This early proclivity for behind-the-scenes coordination perfectly foreshadowed the illustrious career he was destined to embrace.
At the age of 18, a scholarship transported Varun to Singapore, signaling what many expected to be a conventional path pursued by the Indian diaspora. While his peers were fascinated by tech giants like Sony and Nokia, Varun remained captivated by the allure of the stage and screen. This passion led him to embrace extra-curricular activities, transforming him from an aspiring engineer into a storyteller with a knack for technology.
The 2008 financial crisis was a pivotal moment that pushed Varun closer to his true passion – filmmaking. As the corporate life lost its appeal, the chaos of cinematography became his safe haven. An auspicious connection with director Anurag Kashyap, who optioned a friend’s book, sparked a significant shift. This turning point was marked by a feature film shot on a shoestring budget in Singapore, further cementing Varun’s burgeoning career in filmmaking.
Disguising his artistic dreams under the veneer of MBA applications, Varun secured a spot in the American Film Institute’s (AFI) Editing Programme. Among peers who had already won Emmys and professors moonlighting on Game of Thrones, Varun found his creative tribe.
Although the thesis film he edited was nominated for a Student Academy Award, his initial professional role in the U.S. was a humbling night-shift assistant editor job on a reality show. He chuckles at the memory, calling it “bottom of the barrel stuff.” However, this apprenticeship under seasoned editors eventually led to significant opportunities, such as an assistant editor position on Arrested Development.
Varun’s career truly ascended with his contribution to Taika Waititi’s vampire mockumentary, What We Do in the Shadows. His exceptional editing on this quirky, genre-defying comedy earned him an American Cinema Editors (ACE) Eddie Award nomination, along with subsequent ACE accreditation.
Emmy nominees Patrick Tuck and Varun Viswanath deserve special recognition for their spectacular work.
. Soon after shadows, Varun discovered his magnum opus in the form of ‘Reservation Dogs’. From its indie pilot inception to becoming a critically acclaimed series, Varun’s expert editing, alongside co-editor Patrick Tuck, has been pivotal in capturing the raw and authentic voices of its lead Indigenous characters in rural Oklahoma. The show’s remarkable success, having garnered widespread acclaim and a dedicated fan base, culminated in multiple Emmy nominations for its third and final season – a recognition many argue is long overdue.
Reflecting on his experiences in the cutting room for Reservation Dogs, Varun emphasized the unique rhythm and cadence required for the show. “With Reservation Dogs, we’re trying to depict real people and stay grounded because it’s about real individuals,” he said. “In Shadows, however, you’ve crafted absurd characters from scratch, creating an easier transition.” The similarities lie in comedic styles – misunderstandings, awkward silences, and rapid-fire, offbeat characters.
Collaborating with creative minds like Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo, Varun witnessed how deeply rooted, real emotions, not stereotypes, form the backbone of their stories. Initially wary of his instincts in portraying rural American culture, Varun soon realized that the sense of community and family depicted in Reservation Dogs paralleled his own upbringing in Bengaluru. It highlighted the intricate connections within a community, akin to the close-knit neighborhoods of his childhood.
Addressing the sense of belonging that pervades his storytelling, Varun shared how his diverse experiences across different countries have enriched his narrative style. He recounted his initial claustrophobic feeling in Singapore, contrasting it with the welcoming, diverse atmosphere of Los Angeles, where he found professional and personal belonging. This quest for connection and belonging, a recurring theme, continues to shape his storytelling.
Discussing the often-overlooked appreciation for Native American art, Varun highlighted Reservation Dogs’ success in engaging non-native viewers by humorously subverting stereotypes. Although not universally understood, the meaningful connections forged through storytelling validate the creative risks taken.
Balancing the series’ comedic and dramatic elements proved crucial, particularly in depicting serious themes while maintaining a light-hearted tone. Varun’s editorial decisions often involved blending intensity with humor, ensuring that dramatic scenes naturally emerged from well-crafted writing rather than forced amplification.
On the cusp of his first Emmy win, Varun finds himself gradually engaging with the recognition and congratulations pouring in from friends and colleagues. Navigating this newfound attention, he remains grounded, reflecting thoughtfully on his journey from Bengaluru’s city hall to Hollywood’s cutting rooms.
For those eager to witness his remarkable work, all seasons of FX’s Reservation Dogs are currently streaming on Hotstar, capturing the spirit of community and storytelling that Varun Viswanath masterfully brings to life.
