kal-pennWASHINGTON - Indian American actor-turned White House associate director of public engagement, Kalpen Modi, has said that he spent the first day in political office getting started on some “serious” work.

Under sharp questioning about his routine, comedian Modi revealed: “I brushed my teeth, I did floss, used mouthwash . . . took the bus to work, the same thing everybody does.”

When Modi was asked about how he is handling the culture switch from acting in Hollywood to joining up with the Obama White House, Politico quoted him as saying: “I think they are completely different careers.”

“In my past life, I was playing a fictitious character and, while I think that is enjoyable, I think that the lifestyle here is going to be a lot different. We are doing some very serious work and I am certainly very eager to get started on all that,” he added.

Modi, 32, is best known as Kumar in the “Harold and Kumar” movies. Now he’s an associate director in the White House Office of Public Engagement.

He finally reported for work on Monday, in a suit and tie.

The high-profile Obama presidential campaign volunteer is a liaison between the Asian-American and arts communities and the White House.

Modi has moved from Los Angeles to an apartment in Washington, unpacking boxes over the July 4 weekend.

And while he said he expects “to be treated like any staff member,” most don’t debut with a conference call to oblige inquiring reporters.

Modi is a UCLA grad and son of Indian immigrants. Last year he was an adjunct lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia where he taught a course in Asian-American studies, film and sociology.

He said he was not sure how long he would stay in the White House.

“I don’t have a specific timetable in mind for this particular job,” he said.

He said he does not have plans to run for public office. (ANI)