local storiesFebruary 5, 2026

An Inspired Chat with Navik Nanubhai of Los Angeles

Local Stories

Navik Nanubhai shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Navik, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Those who know me personally know how much I love making masala chai!

When I’m asked questions like, “Who do you want to be?” or “What are your goals?” my answer is simple: To travel, document the world around me, and tell stories that speak to my soul. Then, when I’m past 50, to make chai and smoothies on the beach in my bure (pronounced “boo-ray”), the traditional Fijian word for a wood-and-straw hut or house.

Growing up in a Fijian-Indian household, it was customary for my parents to make masala chai whenever we had friends or family over. About four years ago, I began continuing that tradition with my close friends here in LA. Through their encouragement, I’ve since started making masala chai at events, sharing my love for chai with more people than ever before. It’s something that’s made me feel especially alive lately, as I’ve found tremendous joy in the way it brings people together and fosters meaningful conversations.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Most of the work I do sits at an intersection between documentary, branded storytelling, education and behind the scenes. I’m drawn to stories that explore culture, creativity, science, technology, and our relationship with the natural world. The hats I typically wear include content producer, director, DP, video editor and photographer.

Through my production company, Drua Pictures, I collaborate with brands, individuals, and organizations to create work that prioritizes clarity, intention, and authenticity over pure promotion. I’ve worked with clients including Fujifilm, Caltech, AARP, and Kino Flo, among others.

At its core, my practice centers on observation—using documentary storytelling to reveal the process, decisions, and human moments behind any endeavor.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
In 2014, I visited the Fiji Islands for the first time. One of my favorite moments was visiting a village with a boarding school, where I saw kids playing outside—connecting with one another, climbing trees, and even approaching my family and I, asking questions with genuine curiosity. There was a spark in their eyes that I didn’t notice as much in the kids I was surrounded by back home, or even in myself. It felt like they were truly living.

Another moment from that trip was when I spotted a group of boys laughing and playing rugby with a two-liter soda bottle. I was amazed by how content they were despite not having a proper rugby ball.

That’s when I realized that if these kids could be that joyful and content without gaming consoles, phones, toys, or sports gear—the things I had grown up with—then so could I. Having lived in both Canada and the U.S., I noticed that many people around me seemed to base their happiness on what they owned, or even the size of their homes, as if bigger and more automatically meant better. I believe much of that mindset is driven by marketing—how easily we’re convinced we need more to be happy, when we don’t.

After my trip to Fiji, I no longer felt the need to acquire more things to be happy. It grounded me in the idea that simple can often mean better.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most is the fear of choosing the wrong path—and realizing too late that I should have chosen differently. For a long time, that made me hesitant to fully commit, because committing meant closing off other possibilities.

I’ve learned that this fear often shows up as overthinking or taking the longer route, convincing myself I just needed more clarity before moving forward. In reality, some clarity only comes through action. Letting go of that fear has been an ongoing practice—learning to trust that growth isn’t about choosing perfectly, but about being present and intentional with the path I’m on.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Over the past two years, a commitment has grown intuitively within me: to protect and preserve the natural world, while also helping people rekindle a sense of connection to it. I see this as a lifelong project—one that lives both in my work through documentary and social media, and in how I move through the world, encountering people and sharing that perspective along the way.

I’ve found that time spent in the natural world has offered a kind of insight and clarity that nothing else has been able to replicate. Those moments of perspective and presence are what continue to motivate me, and they shape how I approach both my work and my life.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
We live in a remarkably abundant time in human history. From the amount of information we have access to, to the availability of food, clothing, and resources, there is more within reach than ever before. I see that abundance as a gift—but one that comes with a consequence: we’ve largely lost a sense of reverence.

The culture we live in tends to favor quantity over quality, and that mindset shows up everywhere—from the food we eat and to the objects we own. When things become endlessly available, they’re easier to overlook, value starts to erode and waste becomes more common.

I envision a culture that values craftsmanship, intention, and longevity over speed and excess. One where people choose fewer things, but engage with them more deeply. For me, that shift isn’t about deprivation—it’s about restoring meaning, respect, and a sense of relationship with the world around us.

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