We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hrushikesh Reddy Vajrala. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hrushikesh Reddy below.
Hrushikesh Reddy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
My journey as a filmmaker began with small, scrappy projects—short films, animations, and YouTube sketches—that taught me the basics of framing, pacing, and storytelling. Over time, I combined self-taught experimentation with formal education, studying the works of masters like Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, and David Fincher to understand how visual language and linear/non-linear narrative structure intertwine. What truly accelerated my growth, though, was doing the work: making mistakes, editing until 3 a.m., and collaborating with others who pushed me creatively.
Looking back, I wish I’d embraced collaboration and feedback sooner. Filmmaking is a team sport, and working with people who have complementary skills—writers, composers, editors—would’ve saved me years of trial-and-error. I also underestimated the power of structured feedback; sharing rough cuts with mentors or peers earlier could’ve sharpened my instincts faster.
The most essential skills I’ve learned are storytelling intuition (hooking an audience emotionally), adaptability (problem-solving on set when the script clashes with reality), and technical humility (learning just enough about cameras, sound, and editing to communicate ideas without getting lost in gear obsession).
Obstacles like resource constraints, self-doubt, and distraction slowed me down. Early on, I wasted energy trying to replicate Hollywood-grade production instead of embracing limitations as creative fuel. I also wrestled with the fear that my voice wasn’t “unique enough,” only to realize later that authenticity trumps originality.
If I could time-travel, I’d tell my younger self: “Make more bad films, faster. The flaws will teach you more than the perfect ideas ever will.”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My journey into filmmaking erupted in 2014 after watching Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar. That film shattered everything I thought I knew about storytelling—how it could bend time, stretch emotions, and leave you haunted long after the credits rolled. Growing up in Hyderabad, where Tollywood isn’t just an industry but a cultural religion, I was surrounded by films that exploded with color, drama, and larger-than-life storytelling. But as I dived deeper into cinema, watching everything from Nolan’s cerebral epics to raw indie gems, my perspective evolved. I didn’t go to film school—I learned through YouTube tutorials, borrowed cameras, and eight relentless years of trial and error before finally making my first two short films in 2022. Then I got into a film school in 2023.
In 2020, I founded Vader Films with a group of friends—a scrappy production company built on the idea of turning limitations into creativity. Today, through Vader Films, I direct narrative-driven stories, music videos, documentaries, and ads that fuse the grandeur of Tollywood with a rebellious, absurdist edge. I thrive on visual storytelling—high-octane chases punctuated by deadpan humor, body language that screams louder than dialogue, and surreal moments where a character might pause a chase to haggle over mangoes. For brands and artists, I solve the “engagement puzzle,” transforming messages into visceral, unforgettable experiences that feel urgent, alive, and unapologetically weird.
My filmmaking DNA is a mix of Tollywood’s high drama and Nolan’s precision storytelling. I live for the rhythmic energy of films like Edgar Wright’s “Baby Driver”, where every beat is meticulously crafted. My early projects were pure DIY chaos—no budget, a two-five person crew—but those messy, unpolished experiences taught me to embrace constraints as creative rocket fuel. I believe that every project, whether it’s a blockbuster or a micro-budget short, should be driven by heart rather than polish.
Right now, I’m expanding my short film Knots & Numbskulls into a feature. The original short was me trying out the disrupted narrative, inspired by Baby Driver but infused with absurdity and dark comedy from After Hours. It explored greed and desperation through breakneck pacing and expressive body language. With the feature, I’m diving deeper into this chaotic world, peeling back the layers of my characters and pushing the energy even further. It’s a bold leap from scrappy experiment to full-throttle cinema, and I can’t wait to bring it to life.
At my core, I’m still that kid from Hyderabad, balancing the operatic spectacle of Tollywood with the cerebral intensity of Nolan, always chasing the feeling Interstellar gave me. Through Vader Films, I want to keep asking, “What if we dared to be gloriously, unhingedly us?” Because, to me, cinema should be a gut punch—something that lingers, disturbs, and electrifies long after you leave the theater.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
In my view, society in the United States can best support artists and a thriving creative ecosystem by providing financial stability, expanding access to creative spaces, and fostering strong community networks. Guaranteed income programs for artists help alleviate financial stress, allowing them to focus on their craft without being burdened by economic uncertainty.
Public and private funding must also work together to ensure fair compensation and sustainable career paths. Stronger policies protecting artists’ rights, such as equitable royalty structures and fair pay for creative work, would help address long-standing financial disparities in the industry.
Beyond direct financial support, investing in affordable workspaces, artist residencies, and community-driven creative hubs is essential. When artists have dedicated spaces to create and collaborate, innovation thrives. Cities and organizations that champion creative placemaking efforts play a key role in building these environments.
Education and mentorship further strengthen the creative ecosystem by equipping artists with the tools they need to navigate their careers. Professional development programs, networking opportunities, and cross-disciplinary collaborations can open doors for emerging talent.
Ultimately, a society that values art as an integral part of its identity must treat artists as essential contributors. By investing in their growth and ensuring they have the resources to succeed, we create a culture where creativity is not just sustained, but celebrated.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Absolutely. My creative journey is driven by the mission to push storytelling beyond the expected—blending visual spectacle with sharp, disrupted narratives that leave a lasting impact. I want to craft films that aren’t just watched but felt, where every frame pulses with energy, absurdity, and raw human emotion.
At the core of my work is the belief that cinema should be a gut punch—something that lingers, disturbs, and electrifies long after the screen fades to black. Whether through high-adrenaline chases infused with humor or deeply intimate moments told without a single word, my goal is to create stories that break conventions and challenge audiences to engage with film in new ways.
Through Vader Films, I’m building a space where constraints fuel creativity, where the scrappiness of indie filmmaking meets the grandiosity of mainstream spectacle. I want to champion bold, unconventional storytelling—especially narratives that fuse the rhythm of Tollywood, the precision of Nolan, and the unpredictable edge of modern indie cinema.
Beyond my personal projects, I also want to contribute to a larger creative ecosystem—mentoring, collaborating, and building a community where filmmakers can experiment, take risks, and redefine the boundaries of storytelling. For me, it’s not just about making films; it’s about shaping a movement that dares to be different.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vhrushi.carrd.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrushikkesh._/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/?original_referer=
- Twitter: https://x.com/Vaderrfilms
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vaderfilms
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15141491/
