IITian left high paying job in US to become a director, took loans from 30 people to fund his first film. Today, the movie is streaming on Netflix. Who is Tanmay Shekhar?
A data scientist left a lucrative New York career to pursue his passion for filmmaking, building his first movie from scratch with community support. Despite limited resources and a small theatrical release, his film, exploring themes of privileg...
By ET Online |
Agencies
He was once firmly settled in the world of data science, enjoying a comfortable and well-paying role in New York. Yet, despite the financial security and global exposure, his heart remained anchored to a different passion—storytelling through cinema. Tanmay Shekhar’s journey, as highlighted by The Better India, is a testament to choosing purpose over comfort and pursuing creative conviction against all odds.
An alumnus of Indian Institutes of Technology, Tanmay made the bold decision to step away from a thriving international career to bring meaningful narratives to life. Instead of waiting for opportunities within mainstream cinema, he chose to build his own path from scratch. With no industry backing, no celebrity faces, and no production house support, he relied solely on his belief in the story he wanted to tell.
The journey of creating his film was anything but easy. Lacking financial resources, he reached out to nearly thirty friends who collectively helped him gather the funds needed to begin production. During filming, an unexpected moment of encouragement arrived when a passerby, deeply touched by what he witnessed on set, persuaded his daughter to contribute financially to the project. These small yet powerful acts of faith became the backbone of his film’s creation.
The story itself revolves around two affluent college students who are expelled and assigned to teach children in an underprivileged settlement. Through this narrative, the film explores privilege, transformation, and social awareness. Its impact was quickly recognized when it was showcased at the Kolkata International Film Festival, where it earned a Special Jury Award.
Determined to reach audiences directly, Tanmay, along with actor Molshri, embarked on an extensive promotional journey across 13 cities. Over five weeks, they organized screenings, performed street theatre, and engaged with college students to spread awareness about the film. Despite eventually securing a limited theatrical release on just 15 screens, the film’s reach expanded significantly when it began streaming on Netflix.
Tanmay Shekhar’s story reflects the power of persistence, community support, and an unwavering commitment to meaningful storytelling.
An alumnus of Indian Institutes of Technology, Tanmay made the bold decision to step away from a thriving international career to bring meaningful narratives to life. Instead of waiting for opportunities within mainstream cinema, he chose to build his own path from scratch. With no industry backing, no celebrity faces, and no production house support, he relied solely on his belief in the story he wanted to tell.
The journey of creating his film was anything but easy. Lacking financial resources, he reached out to nearly thirty friends who collectively helped him gather the funds needed to begin production. During filming, an unexpected moment of encouragement arrived when a passerby, deeply touched by what he witnessed on set, persuaded his daughter to contribute financially to the project. These small yet powerful acts of faith became the backbone of his film’s creation.
The story itself revolves around two affluent college students who are expelled and assigned to teach children in an underprivileged settlement. Through this narrative, the film explores privilege, transformation, and social awareness. Its impact was quickly recognized when it was showcased at the Kolkata International Film Festival, where it earned a Special Jury Award.
Determined to reach audiences directly, Tanmay, along with actor Molshri, embarked on an extensive promotional journey across 13 cities. Over five weeks, they organized screenings, performed street theatre, and engaged with college students to spread awareness about the film. Despite eventually securing a limited theatrical release on just 15 screens, the film’s reach expanded significantly when it began streaming on Netflix.
Tanmay Shekhar’s story reflects the power of persistence, community support, and an unwavering commitment to meaningful storytelling.
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