Filmmaker Statement

I wanted to capture the funny feeling I get when I’d hear the Beatles’ Indian-influenced music or see Hindu aesthetics and symbolism pop up in 60s psychedelia — the combination of pride in seeing my culture being appreciated, and of wistful possessiveness from seeing outsiders profit by taking what they like from it. When I reflected on the challenges I had in taking pride in my Indian heritage growing up in Austin, TX, all while ironically making Indian-themed comedy videos on YouTube despite knowing so little about my roots, the characters and setting in this film felt like the perfect groundwork for me to explore these muddy waters, and how someone in a similar spot could’ve navigated them.