Dhwani Shah- South Asian Writer-Director Based in NYC

Edition Seventy-Nine- Week Seventy-Nine:

Written by: Mercedes Barreto

What inspired you to become a director? What got you into writing? Why and how so?

“I caught the film bug pretty early in life, and I was overall inspired by all the performing arts growing up. I used to dance, act in school plays and sing badly in the shower all the time. What I love about film is that it is an amalgamation of many disciplines that have been in existence long before it. Films are the epitome of creative expression, and what makes it better is that it’s a collective art. You can’t make a film alone. Well.. I mean, you can if you try. But the joy of creating comes from collaboration and cross-pollination, and that has been my guiding force as a writer-director. I am really glad to see the shift in recent mainstream content where diverse voices and stories are getting the mainstage. As a South Asian woman living in the US, this inclusiveness excites and inspires me to write more films that feature faces like mine in the spotlight.”

What are some recent and notable achievements for 2024? How do you envision success for your line of work in the future?

“I recently released my horror short film ’44’ online and it has garnered decent praise to fuel my ambitions in genre filmmaking. I am already onto my next horror film, a proof of concept for a feature titled ‘Tasveer’ which goes on floors in May. As of date, I am also one of the ten finalists in Shondaland’s Women’s Directing Mentorship, a partnership with SeriesFest, where I’ll get to attend the festival in Denver and meet the Shondaland team in person. It’s an exciting year and I believe that any success to be gained in this industry can only come from identifying your unique voice. Everybody has a story to tell. It’s finding your specific voice and style that’s the hard part. In my case, it took me a long time to believe in my voice even after finding it. But I suppose that’s the journey one goes on as an artist. After some trial and error I have come to realise that horror is one of my strong suits, and I plan on doubling down on that in the future. Not just run-of-the-mill haunted-house horror, but horror that uses the genre to start a conversation around a larger issue; case in point: Jordan Peele’s ‘Get Out’.”

What is your biggest motivation when working in such a competitive field and industry? What gets you through the day?

“Despite the challenges and competitiveness of the industry, I find solace and drive in the creative process itself. Every day, I am fueled by the opportunity to bring diverse perspectives to the screen. The support of my colleagues, mentors, and collaborators also serves as a source of inspiration and encouragement, reminding me that I am part of a community that shares my dedication and vision. Ultimately, what gets me through the day is the unwavering belief in the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and provoke change.”

If you could work or collaborate with three top industry executives, who are they, for what, and why?

“Jordan Peele is at the top of that list for me. His unique storytelling style, coupled with his ability to blend genre elements with thought-provoking themes is very much what I aspire to do! I’ve been a Phoebe-Waller Bridge fan ever since ‘Fleabag’ and her trademark blend of humor, intelligence and emotional depth. She’s an exceptional writer with such a strong wit! Her characters are complex and multidimensional and her razor-sharp dialogue is the cherry on the cake. And finally there is Zoya Akhtar, an Indian writer-director who’s work I’ve been following since her early ‘Luck By Chance’ days. There is something so visceral about the way Zoya portrays relationships on film. She really manages to delve deep into the psyche of her characters and pulls out moments of raw human truth which make her films so compelling for me, especially ‘Gully Boy’.”

If you could pinpoint the journey or path of success to undergo regarding your most recent films, what would be ideal? Why and how so?

“The one lesson I’ve learned in recent times is that being an artist is just as important as being a strategist. For any kind of success or widespread exposure, it is critical to cater to the audience. Making films in accordance with what’s “hot” is not necessarily evil. As young writers and filmmakers, we often tend to dismiss what’s popular in an attempt to legitimise our identity as creative innovators. Sure, who doesn’t want to be a rebel artist?! But I believe that those two aren’t binary. You can make compelling films AND also cater to a mainstream audience. If anything, that’s the harder gambit.”

Where can we learn more about your work, and why should we? What makes Dhwani Shah an iconic director and writer of the times?

“You can read more about me on
Website: www.dhwanimakesfilms.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dhwanishah11/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhwanimakesfilms/ .”