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

Vibha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My first film “Forbidden” is inspired by the true story of my friend who was brutally murdered for falling in love with someone her family did not approve of. This work is my tribute to this amazing woman who had the courage and the conviction to follow her heart and stand up to her family.

I was compelled to make this film as women’s rights violations are on the rise and given the explosion of the Me Too movement it gave me and many other women the courage to speak up and tell our truths. “Forbidden” is a story about an interracial couple who strive to be together and a family who just won’t accept this union. It is both relatable and relevant in today’s times. Honor killings are a tragic reality now more than ever and people around the world must acknowledge and accept it as 20,000 women are killed every year for rejecting the patriarchal system.

I faced quite a few roadblocks when I decided to embark on this project. Initially, funding the film was very difficult as investors were reluctant to fund a first-time female filmmaker of color. It took me nearly a year to gather the funds required to make my dream possible.

Soon after, I faced a lot of opposition from a group of fundamentalists when word got out about the film. At first, it was just hate mail, but soon I received threatening calls and even death threats. I was unable to go into production as planned but I refused to give up. I knew when I took up this subject I was bound to face obstacles. Challenges are what strengthens one’s resolve, one’s character, and one’s spirit!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have always been an artist, so the transition to filmmaking was only natural. I began training in Indian classical and folk dance forms such as Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Bhangra, and Giddha at the tender age of five. As I entered my teen years, I began choreography and went on to form my own professional dance troupe in NJ. As a dancer and choreographer, I learned a great deal about abhinaya (expression) and acting as I took on various roles from Radha to Sita to Krishna in dance dramas. Thus, I developed an interest in acting and performed in improv troupes and theater productions.

I soon developed an interest in writing/directing and wanted a taste of working on a film set. So I applied for an internship in filmmaking and I landed myself an opportunity to work as an assistant director for Bollywood’s most celebrated Director Rajkumar Hirani’s award-winning film “Laage Raho Munna Bhai.” As soon as I began work on this project, I knew this was exactly what I wanted to pursue professionally and so the journey began. Soon after, I enrolled at the NY Film Academy and received an MFA in film direction. I went on to pursue a degree in screenwriting at NYU.

Since then, I have worked behind the scenes on multiple Bollywood and International feature films and am now working towards building my career as a writer and director in both Bollywood and Hollywood. Currently, I have taken some time off to write my own pilots and feature screenplays and am looking for representation. I am working on a variety of genres including drama, comedy, and coming-of-age stories. I am deeply interested in exploring the female gaze, so my films will mostly revolve around a potent female protagonist or the female point of view.

I am currently offering my directorial services for narrative shorts, commercials, music videos, and features. You can DM me with your inquiries and follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/vibhagulatiofficial

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

As a female director, I have faced a multitude of prejudices in both industries. In the American film industry, I have faced both racial and gender prejudices. Production companies tend to hire male film professionals over females. Moreover, they are reluctant to back a female director of color. When I was fundraising for my maiden venture, “Forbidden,” I was rejected by investors for this very reason.

My transition from the American film industry to the Indian film industry was a tough one. In the beginning, many of my Indian colleagues resented me for entering “their territory.” I was referred to as the “firang” or the outsider, of the unit. They would crack jokes, talk behind my back, and rarely take direction from me when I was in charge.

In addition, as a woman in a male-dominated profession, my seniors were reluctant to give me responsibilities. They would say “She’s a girl, she won’t be able to handle it.” That was enough fire to fuel my soul and prove to these parochial-minded people that hard work, determination, and the hunger to learn and grow was all I needed to prove them wrong! I would take on tasks others were reluctant to take on due to their sense of entitlement and macho egos. The same seniors who undermined and doubted my abilities began noticing my work. They began promoting me over my male colleagues. Soon, I made the transition from assistant director to script supervisor and took on work from the biggest production companies in Mumbai.

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

I have learned hard work, determination, and perseverance are essential to create a niche for yourself in the global film industry. I am most interested in making films that create a stronger presence for diverse, underrepresented, and silenced voices by raising controversial socio-cultural issues I have witnessed first hand such as domestic violence, gender inequality, and caste segregation. I offer a unique perspective as a first generation South Asian American who has had the opportunity to live and work in India. I observed that everything co-exists simultaneously- slums and luxury resorts, begging and fine dining, sexism and pro-activism. The duality of this society, however, has created a desensitized mind-set. I feel it is my duty to create films that raise awareness and encourages the masses to take active steps to condemn and eradicate such unjust religious and cultural practices. I am proud that I took my first step in achieving this goal with my first directorial venture “Forbidden.” The film went on to travel to 30 international film festivals and won a number of accolades. I am currently writing my next few projects which I am very excited about. My hope is that these works will both inspire and entertain audiences around the world. I look forward to collaborating with reputable film and television production companies in the future and continue to direct works I am deeply passionate about.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/vibhagulatiofficial
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vibhagulatidirector/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/vibhagulati
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3526492/?ref_=nv_sr_1