Today we’d like to introduce you to Anay Sanghvi].
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I didn’t come from a film family, so my journey into the industry started from scratch. I began in India with internships and assistant directing roles, spending long hours on set just to learn and prove myself. Often, I was the first in and the last out, but those early days taught me resilience, discipline, and what it truly means to be part of a crew.
Early milestones like Code M: Season 2 and Disney Channel’s Imagine That helped me understand storytelling at scale—how every decision on set impacts the bigger picture. I also worked with Netflix India and The Rabbit Hole on a Peaky Blinders campaign, which showed me how creative ideas could connect global brands with local audiences in bold, culturally relevant ways.
When I moved to the U.S. for my master’s, I essentially had to start over. I rebuilt my network, relearned industry practices, and proved myself in a new environment. Opportunities gradually followed—working with Dhar Mann Studios, DramaBox, and most recently as a 2nd AD on a Lifetime movie. Alongside that, I’ve been writing, producing, and directing personal films like Jasmine Flowers, Pandaal, and Empty Frames. The latter, inspired by street musicians in Los Angeles, has been the most personal and transformative project to date.
Today, I’m able to make a full-time living from my creative work, with films in festivals, projects releasing on major platforms, and collaborations with larger studios. It’s been a long, sometimes challenging journey, but every step—from the early days on set in India to producing my own films in Los Angeles—has shaped the filmmaker and storyteller I am today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road at all. I didn’t come from a film family, so starting out in India meant building everything from scratch—no connections, no shortcuts. Early on, I worked long hours as an intern and assistant director, often being the first on set and the last to leave. It was exhausting, and there were many moments when progress felt slow or invisible.
Even after moving to the U.S., the challenges didn’t stop. I had to relearn industry practices, rebuild networks, and prove myself all over again in a completely new environment. Working on large productions taught me the importance of discipline and collaboration, but it also highlighted the constant pressure of balancing creativity with logistics, budgets, and production realities.
Creativity itself can be a struggle too. Making films like Empty Frames, inspired by street musicians in Los Angeles, demanded emotional honesty, nuance, and restraint. Telling authentic stories while navigating all the practical constraints of production is challenging—but it’s also what makes the work meaningful.
The road has been full of setbacks, doubts, and long nights, but every challenge has shaped my growth. Looking back, the struggles were essential to building resilience, honing my craft, and ultimately allowing me to make a full-time living from creativity. The journey isn’t smooth, but it’s incredibly rewarding.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a filmmaker and creative producer, specializing in writing, directing, and producing films and visual storytelling projects that explore human emotion, untold perspectives, and authentic experiences. My work spans short films, campaigns, and collaborations with studios, combining creative vision with meticulous execution.
I’m particularly proud of being able to write and execute Empty Frames exactly the way I envisioned it. Not only did I get to tell a story authentically, but I also had the privilege of casting Vishal Singh, a well-known figure in India. He came to set expecting a short film to be a casual exercise, given his streaming and TV background—but he experienced the same level of professionalism, creativity, and work ethic as on larger productions. Seeing him fully commit to the project without treating it as “just a short film” was incredibly rewarding.
I’m also proud that the work I’ve done resonates so strongly with collaborators that many opportunities have come through word of mouth. People recommend me to other projects, which has been a huge part of building my career.
What sets me apart is the combination of creative vision, production discipline, and emotional honesty. I navigate multiple roles with care and attention, ensuring every detail serves the story, and I aim to create work that lingers with audiences long after the credits roll.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people who know my work might be surprised by just how much I focus on execution and attention to detail, even in areas that “technically” aren’t required. On my last project, while filing production reports, I was asking the cast and crew very specific questions about the set. The producer told me I didn’t need to—no one usually does this—but I said I wanted to do every part of my job perfectly. He was genuinely impressed.
On the same set, I was making the sides. Another producer suggested a shortcut: print the full page and cross out the scenes we weren’t doing. I instead formatted the sides so only the relevant scenes were included, keeping it clean and easy for the team to follow. He noted that it looked like more work, but I explained it would make the entire team more efficient. Again, he was impressed.
These moments reflect something essential about my approach: emotional honesty, thoughtfulness, and dedication to craft go hand in hand. I treat every task—big or small—as an opportunity to elevate the work, support the team, and stay true to the story. That level of care often surprises people, but it’s how I ensure every project reaches its fullest potential.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abey.anay/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anaysanghvi
