Today we’d like to introduce you to Keerthana Yeshwanth.
Keerthana, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m a Screenwriter and Director from Chennai, India, currently based in Los Angeles. I grew up listening to the many stories my Mother and Grandfather told me. This translated into a deep-rooted passion for storytelling. After finishing an under graduation in Electronic Media and spending a couple of years working in the different areas of filmmaking, I decided writing is what I enjoy the most. So now, I’m finishing my Masters in Screenwriting here in LA. Now I write tv shows and feature films, all set in India, a world I grew up in! I also direct a lot of my own writing, this has been in the form of short films and web series.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m pretty early in my journey, and so far it has been very fascinating to say the least. Writing is particularly interesting because its reception is so subjective. In a world that offers so much to explore, I found it very challenging to find my voice. Choosing whose stories to write and which stories are mine to tell has been the most inspiring part of writing for me. There is so much to write that sometimes a whole lifetime feels like too little time! I love telling stories and while I’m sure it’s going to be a long journey ahead, I’m excited to see what that will entail!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Today, I write characters I wish I had seen onscreen growing up. I usually write coming of age stories, particularly with female leads. In the last few years, I’ve come to understand that films and stories are the most effective ways to create social impact. With my stories, this is what I hope to do. I make sure all my characters (and worlds) reflect some version of what I’d like to see happen in the real world – be it in the form of female characters with agency, a more accepting society or a more respectful culture. My stories are also set in India/South Asia, a world I grew up in. When these stories make it to screens at some point, I hope they’ll be instrumental in starting some important conversations.
What are your plans for the future?
Right now, I have two features in development. Both of these I’m co-writing with very capable partners. Another half-hour Dramedy pilot I wrote is also currently being optioned out with a producer. I’m also pitching around two other limited series. I’m excited to see how these projects turn out.
In the next couple of months, my first unscript project titled – ” Why do we watch films ? “will be out. I’m neck-deep in its production at the moment and can’t wait to put it out!
In the meantime, my webseries pilot – Dice, my short films Joothis are out on youtube!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mailkeerthanarao.wixsite.com/my-site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keerthnayeshwanth/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keerthana-yeshwanth-46a5aa168/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJSbuzPRZB8&t=2s
Image Credits
Nethra Gururaj
