We recently connected with Vedanti Rathod and have shared our conversation below.

Vedanti, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

One of my instructors at my college had a project coming along the they were going to direct. I was very much wanting to learn more from them. They had told our class briefly that they need some assistance and if we are interested and free, we could come to help him but it was unpaid. I was instantly interested. I went up to them after a few days and said I wanted to assist on their set even if it was a PA or Grip job. They brought me in as their assistant director. I worked on the pre production and went to the shoot. We had a great 3 days shoot. After the wrap, as I was about to leave, the producer and director called me to them and handed me a cheque. I was surprised. they said this was a token of their appreciation as they thought I had done a good job. This was the first dollar earned as a creative in Hollywood. I would always and forever cherish that moment.

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.

Greetings! I am Vedanti Rathod from Mumbai, India. I stumbled upon the Bollywood industry in Mumbai assisting my uncle Rajeev Surti. He, along with my parents, has a tremendous hand in introducing me to the Bollywood industry. I started assisting him since I was in high school.

Later, as I came to college, my parents supported my aspiration of getting into mainstream Bollywood. So I joined the Prahlad Kakkar School of Business and Entrepreneurship (PKSBE). There I did a year’s course of filmmaking. There, I got more inclined towards directing and assistant directing. Then I started working as an assistant director on a few web series and commercials.

I then wanted to broaden my horizons so I came to study my Masters in Filmmaking at New York Film Academy. Now here I work as an Assistant director and Associate producer on a couple of short films. I am also directing a short film named ‘Bhakshi’ (english translation – ‘Devourer’).

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

As of now, my goal is to make a wonderful short film – ‘Bhakshi’. I have been devoting all my attention to my short film since a long time now. I want to get this film into film festivals and win. This is what’s been driving my creative journey.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I feel that we as artists, just need a good audience to show our films. I feel that the best thing society can do to support us is to watch our creative products and give their views on it. It doesn’t have to be just good things. it can also be what could we do to improve certain aspects in our films. We are here to learn.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vedanti_rathod/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vedanti-rathod-65936b153/