Today we’d like to introduce you to Anant Mehra.
Anant, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story begins in New Delhi, India where I was born and raised. I grew up in a joint home with a large extended family and went to an international school with students of over 50 nationalities. Outside of family gatherings and hanging out with my friends, I spent much of my time engrossed in the world of movies – be it the classic Bollywood treasures like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and anything starring Shah Rukh Khan, or the dark pop culture masterpieces from Quentin Tarantino. For much of my childhood, I straddled two cultures and that cemented my own identity.
At eighteen, I left Delhi to pursue a business and management undergraduate degree at the University of Exeter in the UK. At the time, it was the path that seemed to make the most sense for me. A business degree for a kid from a business family is more than commonplace back home, it’s expected. But soon enough, I found my mind and heart pulling me in an entirely different direction – I wanted to make movies. Simple as that, I overcame my fear of “what will people say or think,” applied to a summer program at the New York Film Academy, picked up a legitimate camera for the first time in my life, and made a three-minute short film. And I haven’t looked back since.
I was lucky that (after some initial explaining), my parents supported me, no questions asked. So, during my last semester as an undergraduate, I took a leap of faith and applied to graduate film schools in the US. Truth be told, I expected rejection and was half done packing my bags to head back to India to gain work experience when of all the programs I went out for, the Film and Television program at the School of Cinematic Arts, USC sent me an acceptance letter.
The three-year journey that followed was transformative, enlightening, exhilarating, and exhausting. Not only did I learn everything I know about the craft of filmmaking, but I also discovered my own sense of self and found my voice as an artist. Now, five years on, I am more energized than ever to tell original stories.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Writing and directing movies is like meditation for me. Externally though, it’s not without its challenges.
The creative scene in Delhi was far from welcoming, and I found myself facing societal prejudices against the arts, even within my own extended family. The mentality around me of playing it safe when it came to one’s career, or any aspect of life, stifled my attempts at meaningful creative expression. Despite being met with concerns and insulting comments, I resolved to pay that small price for pursuing my passion. I knew that changing the opinions of those who were quick to judge was unlikely and more importantly, irrelevant to my journey.
At USC I found my stride, and though I know I don’t have a home base advantage in Los Angeles or Hollywood, I’ve been encouraged to see my diverse perspective as an asset rather than a barrier to entry. Getting here and going farther isn’t easy, but I use all my experiences to motivate me, and I’m determined to bring perspectives from a beautiful, nuanced culture to screens on a global stage.
It was really heartening for example to see some of these perspectives in my most recent short films Providence, Waves, and Where The Truth Lies be recognized at film festivals like the New York Tri-State International Film Festival and Top Shorts.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a screenwriter and director, I’m drawn to exploring the themes of identity – what makes them, what reveals them, and how transient or resilient they are. I often throw my characters into fantastical crises or see how they shapeshift when overcome by anxieties. My creative vision is strongly influenced by Vedic philosophies, mysticism and magical realism, but all explored within a modern relationship or career.
I like to think of my work as hybrids between a student of India’s profound spiritual teachings, and an American teenager obsessed with contemporary pop culture. In fact, right now, I’m working on one feature film script centred around an American Indian Business tycoon based in Los Angeles, and I’m in post-production on a short film about a rising R&B artist struggling with his authenticity and need for validation. Very different projects – but both are very me.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success so far?
Honestly, it sounds cliche, but I just feel blessed to be able to do what I love. If there’s one thing that sets me apart from other filmmakers – I would just say it’s my unique vision of blurring the lines between cultures, identities and even realities. And my perseverance.
Contact Info:
- Website: anantmehra.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anantmehra/
Image Credits
Pictures by: Rielle Oase, Ziva Juneja, Devon Johns.
