Street: Be honest, how many girls have you picked up from being in Penn Dhamaka?
Rohan Malhotra: I got picked up quite early, actually—freshman year. So I guess one girl, and it’s lasted.
Street: Tell us something we don’t know about Dhamaka.
RM: As much as we’re all guys and can be really bro–y a lot of the time, we’re much more divas than people would think. A lot more drama than you would expect.
Street: What inspires your choreography?
RM: For me, every dance I’ve choreo–ed, there’s usually some plot or thematic element to it. So it’s just like trying to tell a story.
Street: If Dhamaka had a mascot, who or what would it be?
RM: Something super energetic and happy. Flubber? That’s the thing that bounces everywhere? Let’s go with Flubber.
Street: What’s your nickname?
RM: One of my friends gives me a nickname everyday. It just has Ro and then blank. RoHannah Montana. RoHand Job.
Street: Tell us something we don’t know about Oracle.
RM: We have four Fulbright–ers this year.
Street: What’s your favorite book?
RM: Larry Bird’s Drive, his autobiography. I’m a huge Celtics fan. I would listen to whatever he told me to do.
Street: Do you play basketball?
RM: I play basketball with my friends. But if you look at me, I’m definitely not very good at basketball.
Street: Fill in the blank: There are two kinds of people at Penn.
RM: Those who eat chicken and rice at 38th and Spruce and those who eat it at 38th and Walnut.
Street: What does that mean?
RM: The food trucks. The food truck at 38th and Walnut has a huge line all the time. Their chicken and rice is really good. And there’s one at 38th and Spruce, and people battle over the two.
Street: Describe yourself in three words.
RM: Can Ralph Lauren be one word? RalphLauren. Dhamaka. Douchebag.
Street: Why do you describe yourself as a douchebag?
RM: I’m a closet douchebag. People tend to think I’m a really nice guy when they meet me, but I judge everyone.
Street: What’s your guilty pleasure?
RM: I tell people I get coffee, but I really get venti white chocolate mochas with whipped cream. It’s so good!
Street: What’s your favorite word?
RM: Luxurious.
Street: Who’s your favorite designer?
RM: I’m slowly going towards Brooks Brothers.
Street: So where did this prepster thing come from?
RM: Andover, let’s be real.
Street: If you are what you eat, what would you be?
RM: An M&M McFlurry.
Street: What’s your spirit animal?
RM: A white tiger. I’m pretty white for an Indian. And white tigers are pretty white for tigers.
Street: What do you love most about Penn?
RM: There are so many options that you can take advantage of. I feel like I’ve invested so much more in the extracurriculars than I did in academics. I don’t know how I feel about that. The real thing to take away is getting really close to people through these things you’re passionate about.
Street: What do you hate most about Penn?
RM: This culture of: I need to get a job and show off my accolades as soon as possible. It’s really shitty for
some people.
Street: Reverse KFM. You give us your own options.
RM: I’d marry Emma Watson. I’d fuck Adriana Lima. I’d kill jeans. I hate jeans.
Street: What was your first AIM screen name.
RM: AirLebron95.
Street: Do you fantasize about joining the NBA?
RM: I played a lot of NBA basketball games. Sports were never a realistic dream with two Indian parents.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
