Kal Penn (photo credit: allmoviephoto.com)
Kal Penn (photo credit: allmoviephoto.com)

Kal Penn (born, Kalpen Suresh Modi) is one of the best known Indian-American actors in the U.S., and is currently the co-chair of President Barack Obama‘s re-election campaign. He will host a television special this Thursday during the Democratic National Convention, where he’ll talk politics and interview other celebrities.

In this hilarious promo clip President Obama personally calls Kal Penn to state how important his hosting duties are, and how everybody is counting on him. On the other end of the phone, Kal reprises his epic Kumar role, along with Harold & Kumar co-star John Cho, in classic stoner fashion. Check it out!

This week is the Democratic National Convention, where Obama’s political party will officially name him as their nominee for the U.S. Presidential election this November. The whole week of big name speeches (former Presidents Jimmy Carter & Bill Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, and First Lady Michelle Obama) will be live-streamed online, along with Penn’s special event this Thursday, the same night the President will address the nation.

Kal Penn with Michelle Obama (photo credit: justjared.com)
Kal Penn with Michelle Obama (photo credit: justjared.com)

Penn will interview other celebrities during his special including; Fran Drescher, Olivia Wilde, Elizabeth Banks, Zach Braff, Aisha Tyler, Alexis Bledel, and Marc Anthony.

This first-in-kind endeavor mirrors Obama’s ambitious use of social media and the internet in 2008, which is what (in part) helped him get elected.

You can watch Kal Penn’s special live this Thursday at 8PM EST – unfortunately that’s Friday morning at 5:30AM IST :/