Om Shanti —— a sacred invocation for inner peace and universal calm.
I shot this short film over a year ago and it is a portrait of my Ba (grandma), who turned 90 last September. [ LINK TO FULL VERSION OF THE FILM IN MY BIO]
Hands pressed together, head bowed, I’ve always greeted her the same way: “Om Shanti Ba.” This film is my ode to her. A celebration of her life, and a reflection on the hardships she has endured immigrating from India to the UK, having an arranged marriage at the age of 17 and losing her only son, all whilst finding strength through faith during times of struggle. Everything she faced was in the hope of creating a brighter future for her children and grandchildren. For that, I will always be grateful.
The most meaningful part of this process was simply sitting with her and listening. We spent hours talking and talking to record the dialogue that narrates the film. You may hear the occasional laugh, comment or cough from my Mum and Masi (aunty), who also joined us. We very quickly forgot the camera was even there, very much absorbed in my Ba’s passionate storytelling. I could see how much it meant to her that someone was listening so closely. Stories like hers can easily fade across second and third-generation immigrant families, who are born and raised into a western life. Hearing her tell her story made me feel more connected to my roots, to where my blood comes from, how far it has travelled and the hardships it faced in doing so. I will forever be incredibly proud of where I have come from and the people who got me here.
This is my first ever solo personal project and with it I really wanted to push myself to understand meaningful visual story telling with a person so close to my heart. It was my first time fully directing a film and properly colour grading my work. I hope 2026 brings continued growth, learning, and the chance to keep creating with intention (and for me to get over my posting anxiety lol). <3
![Om Shanti —— a sacred invocation for inner peace and universal calm.I shot this short film over a year ago and it is a portrait of my Ba (grandma), who turned 90 last September. [ LINK TO FULL VERSION OF THE FILM IN MY BIO]Hands pressed together, head bowed, I’ve always greeted her the same way: “Om Shanti Ba.” This film is my ode to her. A celebration of her life, and a reflection on the hardships she has endured immigrating from India to the UK, having an arranged marriage at the age of 17 and losing her only son, all whilst finding strength through faith during times of struggle. Everything she faced was in the hope of creating a brighter future for her children and grandchildren. For that, I will always be grateful.The most meaningful part of this process was simply sitting with her and listening. We spent hours talking and talking to record the dialogue that narrates the film. You may hear the occasional laugh, comment or cough from my Mum and Masi (aunty), who also joined us. We very quickly forgot the camera was even there, very much absorbed in my Ba’s passionate storytelling. I could see how much it meant to her that someone was listening so closely. Stories like hers can easily fade across second and third-generation immigrant families, who are born and raised into a western life. Hearing her tell her story made me feel more connected to my roots, to where my blood comes from, how far it has travelled and the hardships it faced in doing so. I will forever be incredibly proud of where I have come from and the people who got me here.This is my first ever solo personal project and with it I really wanted to push myself to understand meaningful visual story telling with a person so close to my heart. It was my first time fully directing a film and properly colour grading my work. I hope 2026 brings continued growth, learning, and the chance to keep creating with intention (and for me to get over my posting anxiety lol).](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6766212770683238245555_0_39a4b600f307f71e701d8df6521d80b5.jpg?o=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&h=055c788fce5aefb79fe46019a29d6e75)
