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

Hi Tharun, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

The foundation of my passion and learning new skills came naturally through engaging with cinema and art, without it ever feeling like a chore. Since I was seeking to watch and rewatch films, I was able to pick up on the cinematic language. I feel like I’m still learning, since there are so many films and media I haven’t yet consumed. This gave me an edge when I entered NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Film and TV program, as I was able to quickly pick up new skills and knowledge and avoid falling behind. Film school helped me engage with other artists and see the world through the eyes of my peers, which definitely informed my artistic process as I strived forward. A skill that I found most essential in my journey wasn’t necessarily creatively specific, like knowing when to use a close-up versus a medium close-up in a scene. It was learning not only to recognize talent but also to see eye to eye with my colleagues on logistical and creative decisions.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a filmmaker, writer, producer, actor, and editor. In any project I embark on, I wear most, if not all, of these hats. The project I’m most proud of at the moment is a feature-length film I co-directed, co-wrote, and starred in called Far from the Grove. The film is a crime drama about Del, a low-level drug dealer, who infiltrates a support group to recruit new customers, only to cross paths with Khalif, a haunted addict seeking escape from his past. As Del feeds Khalif’s descent into the drug-induced world of “the grove,” the two men spiral toward inevitable mutual destruction.
The film is currently under consideration at film festivals. What sets me apart from others in this medium is my aspiration to tackle ambitious projects and my resourcefulness. I believe in just doing it, even if it falls short of expectations. Far from the Grove was a feature film with a very long, rigorous production spanning from 2022 to 2025. It was a film with action sequences, a big cast, and a narrative that was rather ambitious, and although it isn’t perfect, finishing it under the circumstances was the actual achievement. I’ve learned so many valuable lessons, and it has only made me a better filmmaker, and whatever I do next will dwarf anything I’ve done in the past.
My first foray into art was drawing my favorite characters from movies, TV shows, and cartoons I watched as a child. This naturally transitioned into a burning passion for filmmaking. This passion built up my confidence to pursue filmmaking through and through. Even though it was a hassle to convince my family, they knew that this art form meant the world to me. Before I even set foot in college, I had already made a feature-length amateur film by borrowing equipment from my high school video production class. A consistent engagement with the multifaceted process of filmmaking led me to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Film and TV program. Getting into one of the best film schools in the nation gave my family and me an incredible amount of confidence. Now I have the utmost support from my family and friends that this dream is legitimate and worth fighting for.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The ultimate goal is to write, direct, act, and produce films professionally. Everything I do is paving a path to reach that goal. I want to tell as many stories as possible from my point of view. That is the mission that drives me.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I feel that any project I embark on should scare me to a certain extent and should feel like a risk, or else it’s not worth the endeavour. That mentality has made obstacles feel like branching pathways that have led me to learn new skills and discover new things about myself time and time again. Being an emerging filmmaker doesn’t guarantee everything you’ve dreamed up will make it on screen. Coming to terms with that is challenging and often discouraging, but reminding myself that this is a privilege is what keeps me from giving up. I’ve always wanted to tell stories on a feature-length level, but it’s discouraged and extremely difficult with the resources I had access to. But choosing to go through with that was highly ambitious, and it came with many obstacles. Just finishing the project seemed impossible, but filmmaking is a collaborative effort that goes beyond just me. Finishing the project is paramount not only for the creative lead but also for the fellow creatives who made the film possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tharunsaravanakumar.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tharun_saravanakumar/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tharun-saravanakumar/