Why I am a Filmmaker

As a young architecture student, I was captivated by the stories whispered by old historical buildings. As I did pen and ink sketches, I often found myself daydreaming. The interplay of people, spaces, and activities wove intricate narratives in my mind. Sometimes, it was nostalgia; other times, it was the unspoken social etiquette and behaviors of a bygone era that painted these stories. I was endlessly curious—did the people shape the space, or did the space shape the people?
In my final year, I chose a bold and ambitious thesis topic: a Museum of Indian Cinema and Film City. I hoped this exploration might uncover the answers I sought. Along the way, I stumbled upon a community of local independent filmmakers and artists. They opened a door to a world where, for the first time, I felt I had found my tribe—a group of people who asked the same existential questions I did. Questions about existence, philosophy, psychology, history, science, and even God. What is this all about, really? Architecture taught me to see the world as interconnected layers—each space with its own story, much like the way films bring characters and their worlds to life. Movies taught me that, while people might seem different on the surface, deep down, we are all the same—longing to be loved and accepted, regardless of our identity.

As I moved from one film set to another, immersing myself in different departments, I realized that being a filmmaker was more than just a profession—it was a way of life. It demanded curiosity, constant learning, growth, and transformation. It wasn’t about the final product—it was about the journey, the process, and the relentless quest for honest storytelling across different mediums. This became my way of life. Today, I am not just a filmmaker—I am a seeker of stories.