We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Diyach Thebo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Diyach, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

Growing up, I always felt like I had an innate love for art, which I believe I inherited genetically. Even though my parents are doctors, they’ve always profoundly admired art and artists. In a society where artists are often seen as deviants or menace, I was lucky to be surrounded by a family that nurtured my creativity and curiosity. They allowed me to explore, learn, and express myself in ways that many kids in my environment didn’t get to experience.

My mom, although a doctor by profession, is also an artist. She creates beautiful mixed media art, and her passion always inspired me. On the other hand, my father writes poetry, which brought a different kind of artistic expression into our home. They even named me after a character from a folk story, a king who gave his life for music. It’s funny how your name can shape who you become. I started my creative journey as a musician and realized I wanted to give visuals to the music I created. That’s how I discovered filmmaking. The desire to visually represent the music I made led me to fall in love with the art of storytelling through film.

In a culture where many parents push their children toward becoming doctors or engineers, my parents stood by my side when I chose to pursue film and television production. They saw my growing passion for photography and storytelling, and instead of pushing me into something else, they encouraged me to follow my heart. That unwavering support and love have been my foundation. Knowing that they are proud of me gives me the courage to face any challenge, and because of them, I am confident in the path I’ve chosen. Their belief in me has been my greatest gift.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m pursuing my MFA in Film and Television Production at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Before that, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in the same field from the National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan. My filmmaking journey started over a decade ago in Pakistan, where I discovered my passion for storytelling. After graduating, I founded my own production company, FrontRow Studios, which I ran for six years, working with corporate clients worldwide. I produced various projects during that time, including corporate videos, music videos for independent artists, commercials, and documentaries.

Through these works, I’ve had the chance to travel across Pakistan and beyond, meeting people from all walks of life. Each encounter has deeply influenced me, not only as a filmmaker but as a person. Filming all over Pakistan has given me a unique perspective on my own culture and made me appreciate my roots even more. My travels and the stories I’ve encountered have shaped who I am today, constantly evolving as I meet and learn from new people.

My belief in creating an experience for the viewer sets me apart as a filmmaker. Whether through a commercial, a music video, or a film, I strive to evoke an emotional response that lingers long after the screen fades to black. I’ve always been drawn to how an image, sound, or music can leave a lasting impression. For me, it’s not about making you remember every single detail but rather making sure you remember how the work made you feel.

Working on such a diverse range of projects has made me technically proficient in many aspects of production. Over the years, I’ve developed the skills to solve problems on set and follow my intuition to create something meaningful. My goal is always to combine those technical skills with the emotional core of the story to create something truly unforgettable for the viewer. I want people to feel something when they watch my work, and that’s what I strive for in every project I take on.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

At a point in my career, I realized I was drifting away from my true filmmaking passion. Running my company in Pakistan for six years, I found myself deeply immersed in the business side of things—corporate videos, commercials, music videos—but slowly, I felt like I was moving away from the kind of storytelling that made me fall in love with filmmaking in the first place. Leaving behind something I had built from the ground up was a tough decision, but I knew I had to make a change.

That’s when I decided to leave my company and pursue my MFA in Film and Television Production in the United States. It wasn’t easy, leaving behind the security of something I had worked so hard on and stepping into a completely new environment, but it felt right. The support and belief of my family gave me the courage to follow my heart and take this leap.

Now, two years into this journey, I can say that I made the right choice. I’ve been able to make significant progress, not only in my craft but also in building a community around me. Being here has exposed me to a world of cinema that I would never have experienced in Pakistan, and I am incredibly grateful for that. I’m reconnecting with my passion for storytelling and growing as a filmmaker one step at a time. This was the best decision I could’ve made, and I’m excited to keep moving forward.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of filmmaking is doing what I genuinely love. It’s that feeling of being alive, fully immersed in creating something meaningful. Whether developing a story, capturing a decisive moment on camera, or watching everything come together in the editing room, every part of it makes me feel connected to my passion. There’s nothing quite like seeing a vision come to life and knowing you’ve made something that can resonate with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.diyachthebo.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diyachyy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diyachyy/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diyachyy/
• Twitter: https://x.com/diyachyy
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@diyachyy