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

Naman, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

My last film “Coming Out With The Help Of A Time Machine”, that I co-wrote and directed, is one of the most meaningful projects I have done so far. This film delves into the story of a South Asian man grappling to come out to his deeply loving yet conservatively minded parents, employing the whimsy of time travel as a narrative device. At its core, it’s a tale about family and acceptance, but it goes beyond that. I aimed to present the narrative from multiple angles – both the son’s and the parents’. Why? Because I firmly believe that authentic conversations, the kind that spark change, stem from openness and a willingness to comprehend viewpoints contrary to our own. And also because as artists, when we put something out there, whether we like it or not, we influence people and shape perspectives. So it almost becomes our responsibility to entice hope through our work or at the very least don’t squash it. The key being, to do it in an entertaining and commercial way.

Our film resonated across the globe, screening at over 70 festivals and winning more than 20 awards. I’ve been humbled by the myriad stories pouring in from diverse walks of life – individuals spanning various sexual orientations and gender identities, sharing how the film mirrored their own experiences. It affirmed a fundamental truth: beneath our differences, we’re all bound by the same universal emotions.

In the end, it’s a reminder that our shared humanity eclipses the boundaries of sexuality, race, and age. Through storytelling, we bridge the gaps, fostering compassion and comprehension. And in this, we fulfill not just a creative obligation but a moral one – to illuminate the human experience in all its diverse shades, fostering unity in these fleeting moments we call life.

Naman, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Naman Gupta. I’m an LA based director and writer. My work reflects a commitment to diversity and inclusivity and my talent lies in integrating contemporary social issues into entertaining fictional narratives, creating thought-provoking and emotionally engaging stories. I’m Ryan Murphy’s Director shadowing Program fellow (shadowed on 9-1-1 on Fox) and winner of Netflix sponsored Tasveer Film Fund. During the pandemic, I optioned a pilot to BET and my recent drama horror feature script, SVARAK, was the finalist at 1497 LAB.

My last short, COMING OUT WITH THE HELP OF A TIME MACHINE, has screened at over 70 festivals, including Tribeca, SXSW, Inside Out Toronto, qualified for the Oscars and won 20+ awards. It has 30K views on YouTube and Jiocinemas (221 Million monthly users) recently bought the exclusive Indian rights for it. I am in the process of expanding this short into a compelling “immigrant sci-fi drama” TV series.

An eternal optimist, my passions extend beyond filmmaking and include an interest in astrophysics, quantum physics, the cosmos, and rock climbing.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

When I first set out, my mission was simple: create some of the coolest stuff out there. That goal hasn’t changed, but it’s evolved. Now, it’s not just about making amazing things; it’s about weaving captivating tales with a touch of social insight.

These days it’s almost trendy to be all gloomy and cynical in the media. It’s all doom and gloom, the world’s messed up, and everything’s headed for a dystopian disaster. But I genuinely believe that at heart, people are mostly good. And we’re living in pretty remarkable times, not perfect, but still, one of the best eras to be alive.

I don’t shy away from sharing the truth, or dark stuff. But the thing is: every dark tale has a glimmer of light, a bit of sunshine that often gets overlooked. I want to bring that back, that optimism that once made space movies inspire future astronauts, when Top Gun encouraged young souls to join the navy, and 3 Idiots (if you haven’t watched this Bollywood film yet, seriously, do!) showed us the magic of combining fantastic comedy with thought-provoking drama, becoming a massive hit. Let’s bring back that spark, that belief in the brighter side of life!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Filmmaking labs and mentorship programs are invaluable. They serve as a shortcut to breaking into the industry. Securing a spot in a reputable lab or fellowship can significantly expedite the process, potentially saving you years of struggles to bring your vision to life.

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