Filmi 23!
Filmi Toronto’s South Asian Film Festival – 23 Years!
December 6th – 7th, 2025
Stay tuned for some great films!
21st Filmi: Toronto’s South Asian film festival
Harbourfront Centre
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Tag: South Asian Films
0 The Seas Between Us
Synopsis:
In the mid 1960s a young girl who has never seen anything but rural Trinidad has her eyes opened to the world when her adventurous Auntie from India comes to visit.
Director: Faisal Lutchmedial
Director’s Filmography:
Faisal’s work has explored the themes of identity, the immigrant experience, and loss. He’s directed numerous short films like the short “Useless Things” (2009) which won the Writers Guild of Canada English Script Prize at the Festival Nouveau Cinema Montreal, and the short Caribbean flavoured drama “Mr. Crab” which aired nationally on CBC’s Short Film Face Off. In documentary he directed the the labour rights themed feature doc “My
Cultural Divide” (2006). As a screenwriter Faisal worked on Ransom (Global/CBS), and Endlings (Hulu/CBC), and is an alum of the TIFF Writers Studio, the WarnerMedia Access x Canadian Academy Writers Program, and a winner of the WGC Bell Diverse
Screenwriters Program. Faisal’s is an alum of the TIFF Writers Studio, the WarnerMedia Access Writers Program, and a winner of the WGC Bell Diverse Screenwriters Program.
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0 The Unknown Soldier
The Unknown Soldier follows a Sikh soldier who enlists in the Canadian Army during World War I. Confronted by the horrors of trench warfare and personal conflict, he remains determined to survive and find his place. Paired with Private Nash, he embarks on a perilous mission to rescue an injured General. When their mission turns violent and they are both wounded, the soldier’s resilience emerges as he risks his life to save his comrade. This powerful narrative explores bravery, humanity, and the quest for belonging amid the chaos of war.
Director Biography – Aviel Kurulkar, Javier Alfaro
Aviel Kurulkar and Javier Alfaro met while studying film at Wilfrid Laurier University, where their shared passion for storytelling sparked a creative partnership that continues to thrive.
Aviel Kurulkar is a filmmaker whose work draws on lived experience, historical inquiry, and a deep sensitivity to the emotional landscape of migration and memory. As an immigrant, Aviel brings a distinct lens to The Unknown Soldier, infusing the film with themes of displacement, identity, and the burden of remembrance.
With a background in cinematography and direction across feature films, shorts, and TV productions, Aviel’s approach balances visual restraint with emotional depth.
At twenty-one, Javier left home to pursue filmmaking in Canada, and has since directed over fifteen short films and worked on more than twenty projects, earning awards such as first place at the GRFF YODO Film Festival and the Audience Choice Award for I’ve Been Dreaming, I’ve Been Working at the 48 Hour Toronto Film Project. He is well-versed in all aspects of production—from directing and producing to editing—and aims to create films that inspire others to explore their wildest dreams.
Together, they form a dynamic team dedicated to telling powerful, visually rich stories.
Director Statement
World War I has been depicted on the big screen countless times from various perspectives, yet the contributions of Punjabi soldiers remain largely untold. This idea was sparked by a desire to tell one such story, particularly within a Canadian context. The aim is to provide a realistic depiction of these hardships, while offering a slice of life that highlights the Sikh soldier’s culture and beliefs, when they are put to the test amidst the horrors of conflict
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0 Wrung Out
A recent divorcee treats herself to a spa day, becoming fast friends with her quirky esthetician. When the unsuspecting duo take their friendship beyond the spa walls they visit a medium who predicts a wild night ahead of them
Director Biography – Harmeet Bhatti, Amanda McNeice
AMANDA McNEICE is a former production manager turned screenwriter and now a first-time co-director with Harmeet Bhatti. Amanda writes for animated TV and MOW romance but is fond of any genre where she gets to create memorable characters. When she’s not writing, Amanda enjoys making art, reading and visiting any town that has a butter tart festival.
HARMEET BHATTI is a writer and actor from Toronto. She took a risk thirteen years ago when she left behind a steady, traditional career path (much to her grandmother’s dismay) in order to pursue her passion for performing. Her transition into writing was a natural progression from her acting career. The inspiration for her content derives from the lack of nuanced characters and roles available to her as a South Asian actor. In her spare time Harmeet enjoys powerlifting, baking and ceramics.
Director Statement
Our goal was to challenge stereotypical casting choices and societal perceptions of how women are portrayed on screen – particularly in comedy.
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0 Glitchaos
GLITCHAOS isn’t a story meant to be taken seriously; it’s a two-minute burst of chaos, comedy, and game-glitched mayhem. I wanted to capture the feeling of smashing a controller, raging at a boss fight, and then laughing at the absurdity of it all.
The film borrows the bold FX style of Arcane and the glitchy, playful energy of Spider-Verse to create a world where reality breaks apart in the most ridiculous ways. At its heart, it’s just about having a good time watching things spiral out of control, because not every film needs to be deep. Sometimes, it’s just fun to watch a mech wreck a kid’s bedroom.
Director Biography: Gurtaj Malhi
Gurtaj Malhi is a versatile 3D artist specializing in Animation and Layout. Born in Canada and raised in India, his multicultural upbringing fueled a deep appreciation for diverse media and storytelling. While his primary expertise lies in 3D, Gurtaj has a passion for traditional life drawing, often finding inspiration in putting pen to paper.
In his final year at Seneca College, Gurtaj directed Glitchaos, a short film where he showcased his leadership as Animation Lead, Production Manager, Rigging Lead, Previs Artist, Character Modeler and made significant contributions to the pipeline. His ability to adapt across departments highlights his strengths as a generalist with an affinity for animation and storytelling.
Beyond his artistic pursuits, Gurtaj is captivated by the mechanics of machines, blending creativity with technical curiosity. Known for his initiative, strong sense of responsibility, and professional demeanor, he is often described as a natural leader who brings passion and dedication to every project. A skilled communicato or “professional yapper” as some affectionately call him, Gurtaj thrives in collaborative environments, inspiring those around him to achieve their best.
Danny Mai
Danny Mai is a Vietnam-born, Canada-based 3D artist who loves storytelling through animation and visual effects. He focuses on texturing, look development, and creating immersive worlds, pulling inspiration from Cyberpunk, Akira, Spider-Verse, and a mix of music, games, and shows.
Danny works across a few different areas, mainly as a texturing and lookdev artist, a comp artist with experience in Nuke, and a beginner VFX artist with a bit of previs experience too. He’s comfortable working in Unreal Engine, Maya, Substance Painter, Substance Designer, and ZBrush and always curious to learn new tools and techniques. A collector of retro toys, vintage tech, and fashion, Danny loves blending nostalgia with modern creativity. Whether it’s building environments, designing effects, or piecing things together in comp, his work is all about curiosity, style, and a genuine love for art and storytelling.
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0 ASHTRAY
In a battle of will and wants, one man must choose between love and lungs.
Director: Ashish Varma
Ashish is a veteran of the short film space, known for his prolific body of work. His latest endeavor is his first feature-length script, Desi Fiction, a film audiences can look forward to seeing on the 2026 festival circuit!
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0 Guilty Pleasures
A Christmastime date takes a dark turn when Emily and Arjun, a young couple still in the early days of their budding relationship, begin discussing their guilty pleasures.
Director Biography – Aidan Grossman, Abhinay Jakhar
Abhinay Jakhar is a filmmaker and actor with a background in film directing from the New York Film Academy and additional training from UCLA Extension. His previous short film was selected for the prestigious ASCF Festival. With experience in acting and directing, Abhinay combines a strong storytelling sensibility with a passion for crafting visually compelling narratives.
Born in Toronto, Aidan Grossman is an actor, filmmaker, and cinematographer with a strong dedication to creating visually compelling, innovative works. He has proudly created and starred in award-winning projects such as “Drummer Boy” (2020), “Seabreeze” (2021), and “Elle” (2024), while he has served as Director of Photography on captivating short films such as “Maybe Tomorrow” (2025) and “The Nook” (2025).
Director Statement
Although delivered in a dark, titillating package, “Guilty Pleasures” is ultimately an exploration of weird, twisty bits that we all have inside of us. This film takes a seemingly trivial and lighthearted event — discussing our day-to-day guilty pleasures — and flips it on its head, turning it into a dark comedy.
But while it’s thrilling and comical, it’s also relatable. At some time or another, most people experience a moment where things get a little too weird to take seriously. We also have a tendency to judge others for their quirks and inner demons, sometimes turning a blind eye to our own eccentricities in the process. “Guilty Pleasures” pokes fun at the uncomfortable situations we find ourselves in (especially while dating!) while also drawing attention to the hypocrisy many of us harbor.
Aesthetically, the film still starts out with a slightly more Hallmark feel, but we decided to commit to a more disturbing tone throughout the film instead of playing up the humor. To achieve this, we took a more intimate and unnerving approach to the cinematography. The aesthetic shift mirrors the characters’ descent into chaos, which is exactly what makes the dark comedy work: that surprising contrast.
We hope that viewers will laugh, but in a “what did I just watch?” kind of way. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions—one minute you’re laughing, and the next, you’re wondering if you should be laughing at all. All the while, you may be starting to wonder if someone has ever looked at you the way these characters look at each other… What strange and dark parts of yourself have others flagged that you might not be aware of?
This film plays with genre conventions in a way that doesn’t take itself too seriously, so expect some oddball humor mixed with suspense. It’s a fun ride from start to finish—dark, quirky, and definitely not your average guilty pleasure.
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0 चाय (chai)
Animated using all natural materials, चाय (chai) showcases my family’s chai recipe and the significance behind our healing ritual, all while demonstrating its importance using my Dadaji’s wise words to me.
Director Biography – Venya Luthra
Venya Arshia Luthra is a hard-working Experimental Animation student at OCADU (Ontario College of Arts and Design University) in Toronto, Canada. Although learning different mediums of animation, she loves to express her stories through stop-motion animation. She hopes to pursue a career in the animation industry after receiving her BFA.
Director Statement
My work is cross-dicipinary, though I hope to focus mainly on different modes of animation. In particular, my more current works are stop-motion animation as I try to develop more skill in this artistry.
Furthermore, I am an advocate for representation in the media, amplifying voices that have been overlooked and ignored in the conversation. I have this passion from my personal experiences of looking for representation in the media I consume, especially as a woman of colour. I resonate with the feeling of being represented and hope to continue this in my career, diversifying the animation on screen and behind it.
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0 Nanoo Knows Best
A 3-minute animated short blending 2D and stop-motion, telling an absurd yet heartfelt tale of love, memory, and mangoes during a zombie apocalypse. Inspired by my bond with my Pakistani grandmother, Nanoo, it captures a surreal moment of connection in a crumbling world.
Director Biography – Raahim Tariq
Raahim Tariq is a 2D Animator & Multimedia Designer from Pakistan who recently completed his BFA with Honours and a Distinction from OCAD University in Toronto. He majored in Experimental Animation. Within the trajectory of learning and experimenting with different types of animations from 2D to 3D, as well as stop motion, he has developed a passion for 2D animation. He enjoys creating whimsical and fantastical characters, exploring humor-filled stories, and mainly promoting stories about being Pakistani and his identity, and in doing so, he tries to bring brown culture to the mainstream, so it may lead to the acceptance and respect for brown culture. Furthermore, his exploration entails using color symbolism and materiality within his animations to support displaying a deeper message. He hopes to work in Animated TV Shows/ Cartoons as well as create animated adverts for companies. While he is majoring in animation, he has a background in graphic design, illustration, and traditional art, which has led him to work and make campaign posters and article illustrations for nonprofit organizations in Pakistan, designing logos and menus for restaurants, and showcasing his work in exhibitions and winning awards.
Director Statement
The film combines two distinct animation styles. The main characters and world are presented in 2D animation, using blood flat colors and geometric shapes. The zombies, however, are animated using stop-motion, texturally and tonally separating the “imaginary” from the “real.”
Ultimately, this film is a love letter to grandmothers, to mangoes, and the chaotic beauty of South Asian storytelling. It captures the feeling of being a kid and believing every wild tale your elders told you, no matter how impossible, because when Nanoo speaks, you listen, even if it means you go through a field filled with zombies
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0 Twist
An panda cub faces off against a stubborn jar of strawberry jam. Who will emerge victorious in this tussle?
Director Biography – Anoop Pillai
Born in Kerala, India, Anoop has lived in various parts of the world such as Mumbai, Dubai, Dammam, Manama, and most recently in Toronto. Alongside actively working on his own projects, he also assists fellow filmmakers in bringing their visions to life. Anoop’s second project, ‘TP Tango’, received two awards, including one for ‘Best Director’.
Anoop has a diverse portfolio. He has worked on over 10 projects, writing and directing six of them, which are currently in various stages of production. These include animation and live-action short films, as well as a feature project. He has also directed 2 French short films. He fondly recalls starting as a photographer and writing short stories on his personal blog, which sparked his passion for writing and directing.
Beyond films, Anoop has ventured into literary work, having authored three children’s picture books titled ‘Pinky-Boo and Gumberstonz Stories’, available on Amazon and other online platforms.
Director Statement
“Twist” is a short animation for younger children aged 3 to 8 years. The story centers around friendship and the message that we all need a helping hand at times.
In the film, a young panda cub wrestles with a stubborn jar of strawberry jam. The story captures her determination to open it and the timely help she receives in getting through this.
Growing up, I was captivated by classic cartoons like Tom & Jerry and Looney Tunes. Creating an engaging animated short has always been on my bucket list, and with Twist, I’m thrilled to bring that dream to life.
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0 ME | HER
Reuniting a decade later, two friends navigate the delicate dance of reconciliation, rekindling old flames, and confronting the weight of regret over unresolved emotions from their shared past.
Director: Jaskaran Singh
With an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto and a graduate of Sheridan College’s Advanced Television and Film program, Jaskaran Singh served as Head Writer and Creative Director for UofT’s campus media channel. Founding Paradox Lost, he aims to leverage his distinctive voice to craft narratives often overlooked, striving to write, direct, and produce stories that deserve a platform.
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0 Leeches
Leeches
Toronto Premiere
Director: Payal Sethi
Duration: 20 Minutes
Synopsis: In the Old City of Hyderabad, Raisa hatches a dangerous plan to save her younger sister from becoming a one-day bride when she finds an archaic remedy that could restore a girl’s virginity.
Director: Payal Sethi
AWARDS:
Brussels Short Film Festival 2016 – Best Short Film
Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles 2016 – Honorable Mention – Best Performance in a Short Film
Indian Film Festival, Stuttgart 2016
International Women’s Film Festival Seoul 2016 – Audience Award
Zanzibar International Film Festival 2016 – Best Dhow Film
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0 Interview
Interview
Director: Ryan Kayet
Duration: 19:00 Minutes
Synopsis:
An eager applicant walks into the pivotal interview of his career. When the employer rejects him before it begins, the young man shows him just how tenacious he can be.
Director: Ryan Kayet
Director
Ryan is an up-and-coming filmmaker that excels as a screenwriter, director, and producer. After receiving high praise for his thesis film, Lurker, Ryan co-founded Riverlife Productions with a desire to focus on strong character driven narratives. He has directed the bravoFACT funded short film One Day at a Time, based on the award winning Canadian play Cancer Can’t Dance Like This, and several music videos that have been featured on Much Music and many online websites. Interview, a dramatic short about race, power, and the importance of choosing your words carefully, was funded by the Ontario Arts Council and has just begun the festival circuit. His most recent project, Cancel the F—ING Internet, is a comedic short that has just completed.
Dave Gibson – Producer
Dave is an accomplished creative and corporate media producer. His first project was the acclaimed student film Lurker, which lead him to co-found Riverlife Productions in 2008 and he has never looked back. Working in corporate media, Dave has obtained ample experience in the planning and execution of video production. His work has gained him considerable respect in the community, and has lead to him becoming a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee award recipient in 2012. The leadership and project management skills he has developed have enabled him to produce powerful short films and music videos. His video Where Would I Be has been featured in publications like Urbanology Magazine. He has also produced for broadcast, such as his bravoFACT funded short film Cancer Can’t Dance Like This: One Day at a Time for bravo in 2010 and One in Eleven for Much Music in 2012. More recently, Dave produced the short film All for Davey which was a finalist in the 48 Hour Film Project and produced the Ontario Arts Council funded short film Interview which is currently on the festival circuit.
Ahsan Butt – Writer
Ahsan Butt is a writer and essayist. His first two screenplays were official selections of the Toronto International Teen Movie Festival in 2002, while his short fiction and essays have appeared, or are forthcoming, in The Offing, The James Franco Review, Eclectica Magazine, LitroNY, as well as The Monarch Review. Recently, he acted as Fiction Editor for an issue of The James Franco Review, a literary magazine focused on the visibility of marginalized writers, especially those who are not James Franco. Ahsan was born in Toronto, is of Pakistani descent, and currently lives in Los Angeles.
Richard Young – Lead Actor
Richard Young is an actor who most recently acted opposite Sir Derek Jacobi
in the feature The History of Love, based on the internationally bestselling novel. His acting credits include The Strain, Rookie Blue, Saving Hope, Degrassi, Mayday, the digital series MsLabelled (Shaftesbury/Smokebomb) and the feature English Butler Masala Chai (Vision TV). Richard is also a co-creator/writer/actor on the Bell Media OMNI/Rogers digital Kung Fu series Sudden Master, and he produced/wrote/acted in the digital series Off2Kali, featuring a who’s who of Canadian talent such as Colin Mochrie (Who’s Line Is ItAnyway?), Charlotte Hegele (Bomb Girls), Huse Madhavji (Saving Hope) and Katie Boland (Reign). Off2Kali was profiled by CBC’s Punchline and screened at the ReelWorld, Filmi and Toronto Web Festivals. In theatre, Richard is an alumnus of the Nightwood Theatre Emerging Actor Program, was part of the Second City’s Educational and Family Companies, and performed to sold-out audiences across the country in the touring romantic-comedy play 30 Dates.
Twitter: @RichardYoungRY
Charlie Ebbs –Lead Actor
A founding member of the stage and TV comedy group, Ottawa Sketch, Charlie has appeared in over 25 film and television shows including Eddie: The Sleepwalking Cannibal (2013), Crook (2014), and Tell the World (2015), as well as his television appearances in Hard Rock Medical (TVO),192 (BRAVO), Real Detective (CTV), and Best Laid Plans (CBC), amongst others. With his professional partner, Rachelle Casseus, he wrote and co-produced two successful short films, The Hold Up (2012) which premiered in Los Angeles at the Hollyshorts Film Festival, and The Buckley Brothers (2014), which won Best Comedy at the 2014 Lady Filmmakers Fest in Los Angeles, California. Charlie also has numerous stage credits and is a member of the NW9 Theatre Collective an Ottawa-based professional ensemble. Self-employed as a photographer and writer for over 25 years, and more recently as an actor, Charlie has spent his life defying the idea of ‘don’t quit your day job’
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0 Spunkle
Spunkle
Canadian Premiere
Director: Lisa Donato
Duration: 11 Minutes
Synopsis:
A brother contemplates fatherhood when his older sister and her free-spirited wife ask him to be their sperm donor.
Director: Lisa Donato
Lisa Donato is an award-winning writer and director based out of Austin, Texas. She recently co-wrote the feature film, SIGNATURE MOVE, which was chosen for the TriBeCa Film Institute program in 2016. The movie will be released to the festival circuit in early 2017. Production, writing, and directorial credits include shows for National Geographic Wild, Oprah Winfrey Network, two feature documentaries, and several award-winning short films and music videos.
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0 Kathakaar
Kathakaar
Canadian Premiere
Director: Abhimanyu Kanodia
Duration: 11 Minutes
Synopsis:
Prakash, an old theatre projectionist of a single screen theatre
and a cinema lover is fired from his job because of the change
in the technology. Devastated by this sudden catastrophe and not
knowing what to do next he decides to move to his village where
he has a small house. Struggling with what to do with his life
he one day narrates a story for a crying kid. This incident
helps Prakash get his confidence back and gradually he starts
telling stories to the kids in the village and ultimately
enchants the entire village through his storytelling, also
rediscovering his passion.
Director: Abhimanyu Kanodia
Born at Ajmer, Rajasthan on 31st December, 1988. After
completing class 12th from Mayor School (Ajmer), he moved to
Mumbai (India), to take up Chartered Accountancy course and
completed it in year 2013. In 2013, he joined Mumbai based
film school Whistling Woods International to study filmmaking.
He graduated in July 2015 with a major in Direction.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KathakaarShortFilm
Awards and Accolades
– Semi-Finalist in the Foreign Narrative category of the 43 rd annual Student Academy
Awards. Out of 1,749 submitted to the Student Academy the advancement puts
Kathakaar in roughly the top 5% of all films submitted.
– Best International Short Film- 5 th Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival, 2015
– Best Short Film (JURY) – 5 th Washington D.C. South Asian Film Festival, Washington D.C., 2016
– Competitor Award- II International Motivational Film Festival BRIDGE of ARTS, Rostov-on-Don, Russia, 2016
– Best Short Film- 6 th Jagran Film Festival, Mumbai, 2015
– Best Short Film- 5 th Pune Short Film Festival, 2015
– Best Short Film- 4 th Bangalore Shorts Film Festival, 2015
– Best Short Film- CORTOKINO International Film Festival, Mumbai, 2016
– Best Short Film- Aakruti International Film Festival, Mumbai, 2015
– Best Director- 4 th Kolkata Shorts International Film Festival, 2015
– Best Screenplay- 6 th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival, 2016
– Best Cinematography (Student)- Haryana Internatinal Film Festival, 2016
– Best Actor in a Short Film (Piyush Mishra): Haryana Internatinal Film Festival, 2016
Official selection
– 3rd Benicia Film Festival, California, 2016
– 2nd Machetanz Film Festival, Alaska, 2016
– PLANOS – Tomar International Short Film Festival, 2016
– 1st Norwich Radical Film Festival, United Kingdom, 2016
– 14th Pune International Film Festival, 2016
– 8th Nashik International Film Festival, 2016
– 5th Delhi International Film Festival, 2015
– 5th Bengaluru International Short Film Festival, 2015
– 2nd Rajasthan International Film Festival, Jaipur, 2016
– 1st All Lights India International Film Festival, Kochi, 2015 (Opening Short Film)
– 13th Frames Film Festival, Mumbai, 2016
– 1st Haryana International Film Festival, 2016
– 3rd Goa Short Film Festival, 2016
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0 Doppelgänger
Doppelgänger
World Premiere
Director: Sarvan Singh
Duration: 10 min 47
Synopsis
Dopple-ganger is a worldwide phenomenon originating in Germany it means that a person has physically seen themselves in the same reality.
The film questions the previous theories of this paranormal event through a university professor whom has been seeing his dopple-ganger for years.
Director: Sarvan Singh
Sarvan Singh is a Writer, Producer, and Director. He is operating Dalewood Productions since 2010
Sarvan Singh has always enjoyed filmmaking. In fact, by the time he was 4 years old, he had already been acting in student films . Soon afterwards Sarvan Singh began writing, filming and directing his own films. Now he is a 2008 graduate from the Toronto Film School; a Film Director for Dalewood Productions, Music Video Director for Planet Recordz and Producer at Sunshine Films.
“I got into this line of business when I was 11 years old when my mother was producing her first feature film. I would sneak onto the editing computers late at night, and edit my own version of the film. I would quickly delete all history and my work… so no one would find out. Eventually I started editing clips I found on the internet”.
“My favourite part of being a filmmaker is telling exciting, meaningful stories, because it allows me to express my views and beliefs.” “Making a film is almost a surreal experience, like playing a sport and your in the final quarter. It takes a lot of mental stress to make a movie and can be exhausting emotionally and physically. I treat my audience with a great deal of respect, I put everything into every film I make and don’t take for granted how lucky I am to be doing this for a living.”
23rd Filmi: Toronto's South Asian Film Festival Dec 6-7 2025 
