Ben Rekhi

Want to be a filmmaker? Be prepared for the compromise between the artist in you and the partners you need to finance your art. As someone who’s worked on both sides, I still struggle with this tension. The artist in me just wants to bring the vision to life. He strives to create from a pure place without regard for the commercials. And there’s the businessperson in me, who has to make sure the project is commercially viable. He has to consider the budget, the box office, and above all, the audience. After 25 years working across all aspects of the business, I’ve learned that the question “Who is this for?” is absolutely critical in making your dream a reality. Having a passion for filmmaking is great, but arming yourself with the knowledge of how this industry works is one of the best ways to ensure your vision reaches the big screen.

Second Mothers Day without you Mom 😔 so grateful for how you raised us, and for all you sacrificed to give us meaningful lives. Even though you didn’t get to see this film that’s about you and dad before you left us, I know you’d be proud of it and how it might help others. Your spirit will live on forever, on screen and in our hearts 🫶

Casual fit check on the way to more screenings of Breaking the Code ✨ Grab your tickets at the link in bio. We’re coming to: 🌉 San Francisco on May 9 🗽 New York on May 30

Growing up, I didn’t fully understand my father’s story. Making BREAKING THE CODE gave me a much closer look at his journey, our family history, and the immigrant experience that shaped so much of Silicon Valley. It’s about what parents sacrifice for their children, and what it takes to make it in America. But most of all, it’s a story of resilience and unending love. We have two special screenings left this month and I hope to see you there: 🌉 San Francisco on May 9 🗽 New York City on May 30! Grab your tickets at the link in my bio.

Proud to extend the invitation to the Bay Area Premiere of "Breaking the Code," a powerful new documentary which recently won the Audience Award at the @indianfilmfestival The film charts the incredible journey of Indian immigrant turned Silicon Valley pioneer @kanwal_rekhi , as chronicled by his son, filmmaker and dear friend @rekh_creation Portraying themes of purpose, migration, love, loss and grief, the film is a moving portrait of the Indian diaspora and a fascinating piece of Bay Area history. Breaking the Code plays next Saturday May 9th as part of @caamedia CAAM Fest Film Festival, and for friends of South Stack Studios, here is a discount code of 30% off the ticket price. Enter this code at checkout: BREAKINGFF BREAKING THE CODE - San Francisco Bay Area Premiere 5:00pm Saturday, May 9th Kabuki Theater, SF

Did someone say free premiere tickets? 🎟️ We’re celebrating the Silicon Valley premiere of BREAKING THE CODE, where the story of Indians in America really took root. To mark this moment, @caamedia film festival has been generous enough to set aside 50 free premiere tickets for our community 💫 Here’s how to get yours: 1️⃣ Follow us 2️⃣ DM us “BTC”, your email address, and how many tickets you want (1 or 2). The first 50 people who follow and DM us will receive a confirmation, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request for tickets. We’re doing the San Francisco screening on: Saturday, May 9 at 5 PM Also we’re doing a screening in NYC on May 30. Tickets are now live, link in bio. Hope to see you there 🎬✨

BREAKING THE CODE just had its World Premiere @indianfilmfestival to a sold-out show with 400 people. It was an experience I’ll never forget. Seeing my life through my son Ben’s eyes for the first time on that big screen was surreal. The film is not just my story; it is the story of anyone who’s left their home to find their way in the world. It’s about family, belonging, purpose, love, loss, and the sacrifices we make chasing a dream. It got me choked up more than once What made the night even more special is that we won the Audience Award for Best Feature Film! There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. My only regret is that Ann didn’t get to see the finished film. But her story and memory will live on forever as Ben dedicated the film to her. We have two more festival premieres right around the corner: San Francisco on May 9th and New York on May 30th. Go grab your tickets from the link in our bio and we can’t wait to see you there! @caamedia @nyindianfilmfest @tienewyork @tiesiliconvalley @indiacommunitycenter

Independent film WILL LIVE FOREVER! So deeply honored to share our new film BREAKING THE CODE on the life of @kanwal_rekhi with audiences at @indianfilmfestival … surreal making this film for 5 years, and having something so personal become so universal… the fact that 375 people showed up on a weeknight is a testament to the communal power of movies 🤘Next screenings - May 9th in SF and May 30th in NYC, links to tickets in bio 🎞️

I walked through a movie theater today and something hit me. Today, movies are increasingly being made and consumed in fragments. Teasers, trailers and reels, and movies themselves are experienced in short viewing bursts as you look up from your phone. As a result, the audience’s attention span is shortening. For better or worse, filmmakers and studios are adjusting to this trend in real-time. The industry is now focused on writing scenes that are bite-size pieces so the films are primed for “ambient viewing.” A punchline, a twist, or some flash of sex are all expected to stand on their own rather than give you a deeper insight. And characters need to restate the plot every ten minutes so the viewer can follow it will also scrolling on their phone. Times are changing. We as the audience have started chasing the quick rush over the long journey. I worry that if we keep trading nuanced stories for sugar highs, we won’t just lose great cinema, we’ll lose what films were always meant to do. Films were never meant to be slot machines. ��They were meant to take us on a journey of wonder. To immerse us, entertain us, and in the best scenarios, help us see the world and ourselves a little differently than before. Here’s to movies that stir our souls. Algorithms can try, but never will break our spirit.

Being a creative person in charge is one of the loneliest and anxiety-inducing experiences out there. Everyone is staring at you, waiting for answers, while you beat your head against the wall. Sure you may start with a vision, but articulating it, on the spot, while the clock is ticking and money is flying out the door, can be terrifying. And this experience goes on all-day, every day, for weeks and months on end. God help you if you show any doubt. Every “action” you utter out loud brings up questions inside your heart like “Is this right? Do I know what I’m doing? Or am I totally f**king this up?” After making 6 movies and spending 25 years in this industry, I’ve realized that anxiety never goes away. You just get better at dealing with it. You have to learn to find peace in the midst of the chaos. . Because that stress? It means you still care enough to protect the thing you’re making.

BREAKING THE CODE by @rekh_creation and @likhti.lana is having its world premiere at the #IFFLA2026 Opening Gala on April 23! You don’t want to miss this reflective and deeply personal documentary. Get your festival pass today! More info: Festival Dates: April 23-26, 2026

POSTER REVEAL! 🎥 my son says coming up with an image that encapsulates your film is hard; but figuring out one for a film about your family is doubly difficult! He caught me off guard by showing it to me on zoom. I like the vintage look and all the family photos. What do you think? [Tix for LA April 23 and SF May 9 premieres in bio!]