We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Reenita Hora. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Reenita below.

Hi Reenita, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’m deeply connected to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre through my late grandfather’s vivid memories of the aftermath he witnessed as a young boy in Amritsar. This connection also inspired a character I portrayed in a related play during my teenage years, igniting my passion for storytelling—especially after reading Erich Segal’s Love Story. That’s when I knew I wanted to craft my own epic love story, a dream that solidified further after watching Titanic.
Incorporating elements of heritage and personal experience into my writing is essential. My stories often unfold in places that resonate deeply—Mumbai, San Francisco, Punjab. As a Punjabi, the tragedy of Amritsar strikes a profound chord. With my grandfather from there and my mother born there, the massacre feels intensely personal. Official records cite 379 deaths and about 1,500 injuries, but estimates suggest the toll could be as high as 1,500, with the true numbers shrouded in mystery. General Dyer’s sudden attack inflicted devastation in mere minutes, rivaling tragedies like 9/11.
This horrific event was a turning point for the Indian independence movement, igniting a nationwide push for freedom that culminated in 1947. As Saugata Mukherjee, head of content at Warner India, aptly noted, it was “one of the darkest moments in modern Indian history.” Lynn Moon from Indignor House even compared General Dyer to Hitler, a comparison that resonates deeply.
Though I learned about this tragedy in school, many outside India remain unaware of its significance. Despite its monumental impact, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre has largely faded from global historical memory. That’s why I felt compelled to write about it—to shed light on a crucial chapter of history that the world needs to confront and remember. As a friend pointed out, while we didn’t live through that era, this is my way of supporting the freedom fighters of colonial India.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Reenita Malhotra Hora—an award-winning screenwriter, novelist, and audio producer telling stories that reflect the South Asian experience across literary fiction, comedy, fantasy, and journalism.

My journey has always been anchored in storytelling—even when it didn’t look like it on the surface.

I was born and raised in Mumbai, deeply rooted in Indian culture. But after living 25+ years across the U.S. and Hong Kong, I now write from a “double lens”—the insider-outsider tension of living between worlds.
That tension—the belonging, the displacement, the code-switching—is the fabric of my stories.

I started out as an Ayurveda clinician, then pivoted sharply into journalism, where I worked in public radio producing award-winning news programs. From there, I transitioned into long-form writing—novels, screenplays, audio dramas.
The common thread through all of it? Story structure, character, emotional resonance.

Today, my creative services include:

Writing original novels, screenplays, and audio content

Helping individuals, entrepreneurs, and companies craft authentic audio storytelling strategies

Coaching clients in branding through storytelling — finding and owning their unique narrative voice

The problems I help solve:

Individuals who feel invisible or boxed in and want to share their story authentically

Companies or entrepreneurs who have a great mission but struggle to connect emotionally with their audience

Creative projects (books, films, podcasts) that need structure, polish, and a powerful voice

What sets me apart is the cross-cultural depth I bring to every project.
I don’t just tell South Asian stories—I tell human stories shaped by South Asian realities, but accessible and resonant to the world. I work across genres—comedy, fantasy, drama—because South Asian life doesn’t fit one mold, and neither should our narratives.

I’m proud of the awards my work has won—from Sundance recognitions to international book and screenplay prizes—but what matters more to me is this:
When someone reads my novel, watches a script I wrote come to life, or builds a brand voice they’re proud of, they see themselves more clearly.
That is the real award.

At the heart of my brand is this belief:
Your voice matters. Your story matters. And it deserves to be told with power, with nuance, and with joy.

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

One major turning point came when I moved to Hong Kong and shifted from working as an Ayurveda clinician to becoming a broadcast journalist on public radio. It was a leap—from holistic health to live news, from one-on-one consultations to producing current affairs for a large, bureaucratic, wildly disorganized media organization.
Funding was tight. Programs constantly scrambled for resources and outside sponsorship. I had no choice but to apply laser focus and figure out how to squeeze creativity through every available loophole and crack.
Within two years, I won the top award for current affairs programming and a New York Festivals Radio Programming Award. A huge moment—though the trophy still lives in the station lobby, not on my shelf.
My spouse likes to joke that I came into radio late and peaked too early. But really, that chapter taught me everything: how to tell a story under pressure, how to make magic out of chaos, and how to pivot—fast.
Another turning point came when I decided to dive into screenwriting. Everyone tells you to pick a lane—stick to one genre, stay predictable. But that’s never been my style. I knew I had more to say.
Within my first year, I went all in. Studied the craft. Took harsh notes on the chin. Rewrote until my fingers cramped. My shtick was simple: South Asian stories. But I wanted to tell them across genres—comedy, fantasy, animation. And I wanted to do it well.
The work paid off. My scripts started winning top awards in all three categories.
Unlike my radio days, this is a path I haven’t peaked at—not even close. This time, I’m just getting started. And I’m aiming for the whole mountain.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building my social media presence, especially on TikTok and Instagram, has been a long, evolving journey. I didn’t have a grand marketing plan when I started—I just knew that if I wanted readers and listeners to connect with my work, I needed to show up in ways that felt honest and human.

I post about what I truly love:

My books and the messy, fascinating backstories behind them

The incredible guests I host on my podcast and the stories they bring

Glimpses into the lives of my characters—bringing them off the page and into the real world in playful, creative ways

I’m always looking for ways to bridge that gap between fiction and real life, because ultimately, that’s what storytelling is—building bridges.

That said, social media is hard.
It’s hard to stay consistent, to engage as much as I’d like, and honestly, it’s hard sometimes to put myself out there visually. I’m not naturally drawn to the “talking head” format where you sit and speak straight to camera—I’m much more comfortable letting my words and my worlds do the talking.

But I also recognize that readers and listeners want to connect with the storyteller, not just the stories. So I’ve learned to find a balance:

Mixing visuals of my characters, settings, and inspirations

Sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of my creative process

Occasionally stepping into the frame myself—but in ways that feel natural, not performative

My biggest piece of advice?
Be yourself. Share what truly excites you, what moves you. Your passion for your own work is magnetic.
You don’t have to chase trends or be someone you’re not.
Readers, viewers, listeners—they respond to genuineness more than anything else.

Also: it’s okay to set boundaries. You can be present and personal without being performative or oversharing. Find formats that feel good to you—whether it’s storytelling posts, short videos, or carousel visuals—and build from there.

At the end of the day, social media isn’t just about visibility.
It’s about connection. And if you lead with authenticity, the right audience will find you—and stay.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://reenita.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reenita_storyteller/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReenitaMalhotraHora
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reenita/
• Twitter: https://x.com/reenita_story
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@reenymal