Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rushikesh Bhadane. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rushikesh, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My first feature film, which was also my thesis film, as the producer, writer and director, Duhi, a multi-lingual grief dramedy adventuring around a remote Indian forest with three mismatched family members, was the most challenging learning experience ever. After a year and half of conceptualizing, writing and rewriting the script, I had a solid pitch deck and a good idea of the essential budget, helping me present the film to multiple production companies in India. Followed by numerous rejections, I finally secured full funding under a decent production company, which gave me a huge boost of confidence. However, two days prior to my flight back home, four months before we were going into principle photography, I unexpectedly lost the funds. It was a crushing setback, but instead of giving up, I used it as motivation. I had to raise all the funds in a very short period of time, and fortunately, my script and approach garnered positive feedback from a new set of investors and government bodies such as the state’s tourism, forest, irrigation and tribal departments. With new funding and a lot of in-kind services, I threw myself into the project wholeheartedly.

Although Duhi has its flaws and limitations, I navigated countless hurdles like on set injuries to cast and crew, unexpected visits from snakes, hailstorms and rainstorms, filming in the core of a wildlife sanctuary, extreme fatigue, and last minute budget cuts, to bring this ambitious story to life. Every stage of the production had its own challenges, but the learning curve was steep and incredibly valuable. In the end, the collective effort of the dedicated cast and crew paid off. Duhi gained distribution on Amazon Prime in the US and UK, and it will soon be available in India, with hopes of a global release. The practical industry knowledge I garnered during this journey is irreplaceable. More than just a project, Duhi represents my boldest step toward a career in Hollywood as a director and cinematographer, and those experiences have shaped me the most as a filmmaker to date.

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.

One of my biggest omens for becoming a filmmaker was after watching the Bollywood movie ‘Lakshya’ as a kid. It wasn’t the story or the plot that captivated me—it was the entire filmmaking process. That fascination grew over time and ultimately led me to leave everything behind to pursue my passion towards making movies.
I’m a director, cinematographer, and editor, with experience in producing high-quality content from pre-production to final delivery. I currently live in Los Angeles, California and would love to travel the world for work. That’s one of my biggest aspirations.
Growing up in Nashik, India, in a traditional household, I followed the expected path of becoming an engineer. However, my love for film, combined with the problem-solving skills I gained as an engineer and international-level long distance swimmer, immensely helped me thrive in the film industry.
Breaking into the U.S. as an immigrant filmmaker wasn’t easy either, but I worked hard to earn plausible credits, form a strong professional network and strengthen my body of work to secure an artist visa. My journey has been full of challenges, from living out of my car during the COVID-19 pandemic to landing an important role at Dhar Mann Studios as the lead director-cinematographer. Dhar Mann Studios is driven by creating kid friendly moral, meaningful and motivating content for an intentional audience. In the four years I’ve worked for Dhar Mann Studios, I’ve contributing to productions that have generated over 100 billion views across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Some of the episodes I directed for the studio have received Tele Awards, Most Viral Video Award – YouTube and our studio was even nominated for a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award 2024.
In addition to the work at the studio, I’ve started creating content with my wife and puppy on Instagram. Our handle is under the name @rushikatadventures. We aim to plant smiles through family friendly comedic/adorable videos.
One of my proudest achievements is my first feature film, Duhi, which earned several international film festival awards namely; Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Music, Best Debut Film and Best Environmental Film, and is available on Amazon Prime US and UK, coming to India soon. Despite the obstacles, it taught me resilience and leadership.
Moving forward, I’m excited to continue creating impactful stories and pushing my creative boundaries.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

When I first moved to the U.S., I found comfort in the show ‘Friends’ while cooking. It entertained me, but more importantly, it helped ease the loneliness and anxiety of being in a new country. That experience drives my mission as a filmmaker; to create work that connects with people emotionally and makes a positive impact on their moment, day or life, no matter the medium.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the freedom it gives me to trust my instincts, overcome self-doubt, and express my unique perspective. Pursuing my passion for filmmaking has empowered me to live independently, far from home, and share my experiences through my work. That ability to connect with others, whether by making a small difference in one person’s life or bringing joy to thousands, is incredibly fulfilling.
It’s a big responsibility, but seeing my work inspire or motivate others makes every challenge worth it. Thus, I’ll keep striving to create content that resonates and leaves an impact at any scale.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rushibfilming.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rushi_bhadamn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rushikesh.bhadane/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rushibfilming/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Duhi_FeatureFilm
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/rushikatadventures/

Image Credits

Jessica Chung, Kivansh Choksi