Rising Stars: Meet Rubal of LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rubal.

Rubal, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey into filmmaking began with curiosity rather than a formal plan. Growing up in Punjab, I was deeply influenced by the rawness of real life — the emotions, struggles, and stories that unfold in everyday moments. What started as a fascination with visuals and human behavior gradually transformed into a calling.

In my early years, I immersed myself in every aspect of the craft — from camera work and lighting to editing and visual storytelling. I began shaping my own short films and visual experiments, refining my understanding of how realism and emotion can coexist on screen. My directorial work in Kaka Pardhan (2021) allowed me to explore the darker, more complex shades of human nature within a gritty crime-drama world. Later, I worked on episodic projects like Lazeez Vol. 1 – “Lady Finger” (2021) to experiment with character-driven narratives and compact storytelling.

Today, as a film director, I focus on creating visually rich yet emotionally grounded stories. I believe that authentic storytelling doesn’t depend on scale — it depends on sincerity, vision, and emotional truth. Every project I take on is a step toward building cinema that looks real, feels human, and stays with the audience long after the screen fades to black.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been anything but smooth. Coming from Punjab, where independent filmmaking still struggles for recognition and structure, the biggest challenge was creating quality cinema with limited resources. I had to learn almost everything on my own — from technical knowledge to the business side of production — while constantly balancing creativity with practicality.

There were moments when projects got delayed or shelved due to budget constraints, and times when I had to shoot with minimal equipment and a small team, relying only on clarity of vision. But those limitations also became my greatest teachers. They taught me how to turn challenges into opportunities, how to innovate visually within boundaries, and how to stay true to the story even when circumstances weren’t ideal.

Every obstacle has shaped my perspective — making me more patient, grounded, and committed to telling stories that feel real and relatable.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a film director and visual storyteller, and my work revolves around realism blended with strong emotional depth. I specialize in crafting visually immersive narratives where every frame feels purposeful — grounded in truth yet cinematic in impact. My approach focuses on creating high-quality, emotionally engaging stories even within limited resources, proving that storytelling power isn’t defined by budget but by vision and honesty.

I’m known for bringing raw, real-life intensity to screen — portraying complex human emotions against visually striking backdrops. Projects like Kaka Pardhan (2021) and Lazeez Vol. 1 – “Lady Finger” (2021) reflect my interest in exploring layered characters, moral conflicts, and the fine line between right and wrong.

What I’m most proud of is the consistency of my visual language — the ability to make audiences feel something genuine through light, silence, and subtle expressions. What sets me apart is my eye for realism, my deep involvement in every visual and narrative detail, and my commitment to telling stories that linger long after the screen fades to black.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
For me, filmmaking itself is a form of risk-taking — every project begins with uncertainty. You invest time, emotion, and resources into something that may or may not connect with the audience. But I’ve always believed that without taking risks, you can’t create anything truly original.

One of the biggest risks I took early in my journey was choosing to work independently instead of waiting for big opportunities. I decided to build my own path, create content on limited budgets, and rely on storytelling and visual honesty rather than scale or star power. Projects like Kaka Pardhan (2021) were bold steps — exploring raw, realistic themes in a regional industry that often favors commercial formulas.

To me, risk is not about recklessness; it’s about conviction. It’s about trusting your instinct when logic says otherwise. I see risk as the price you pay for authenticity — and every time I’ve taken it, it’s helped me evolve, both as an artist and as a person.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubalchhina?igsh=MW0wcGJ5aWkzdXQ0&utm_source=qr
• Twitter: https://x.com/irubalchhina?s=21&t=HNkf5k8PNSdbhQ2Y1X3XEg
• Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm10454673/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Image Credits
Behind the scenes