Jamati: Thank you Shalini for granting Jamati this interview. Can you let the readers know a little bit about yourself?

I am a filmmaker, eco-activist, and reality show survivor committed to using media as a tool to transform culture.

Jamati: You’re based in New York. Were you born and raised in the Big Apple?

I was born to South Indian parents in small town Connecticut, and moved to New York eleven years ago. For the past several years, I have worked between New York and Mumbai.

Jamati: All of your films have important social messages in them. For instance, your short film, A Drop Of Life ponders the question of “Who controls water?” In addition to the water crisis, which I would like for you to give some further insight into, what do you think are some of the most important issues facing the world today?

I tend to be drawn to stories about the environment. For a long time, I didn’t understand the connections between environmental injustice and human rights. I came to view environmentalism as more than saving the polar bear. I began to see the right to affordable clean water and air as a fundamental human right and shared responsibility of every species on the planet.

Jamati: A Drop Of Life is a really great film. You were able to capture how the water crisis affects us both domestically and internationally. What was the response like from that film?

I feel really moved by the response to the film. It is currently being used as an educational tool by forty countries in the African Water Network. Organizers showed it on laptops in villages and used it to spark local discussions about water rights. The film has also been used at colleges and universities to get students to take the Think Outside the Bottle pledge. I am delighted when something I’ve made can be used to make an impact.

Jamati: On your website you describe yourself as a filmmaker/eco-activist/reality survivor. Where do you draw your inspiration?

I draw inspiration from ordinary people who do extraordinary things. I have always been dazzled by the tenacity of the human spirit to overcome insurmountable difficulties.

Jamati: What were some of your favorite films growing up?

My first memory of going to the cinema was when my entire family went to go see Gandhi. My favorite film of all time is the original Star Wars trilogy.

Jamati: Has it been hard breaking ground as a woman and also a woman of color?

It’s still astounding to me that less than one percent of Hollywood directors are women of color. Less than 8% are women. I think media and culture will change with more women directors. I think it’s an exciting time for new voices in film and television to emerge.

Jamati: You were the only woman to qualify for the Top Ten out of 12,000 filmmakers on FOX’s ON THE LOT – a reality show produced by Steven Spielberg. That’s major. How was that experience?

Being on reality TV is absolutely surreal, if you can imagine. Making films on the Universal Studio Lot and getting feedback from some of Hollywood’s greatest directors was a dream come true.

Jamati: You traveled to India to shoot your film, A Drop of Life. Have you been fortunate enough to visit anywhere in Africa?

In college, one of my mentors most influential in my study of cinema was a Nigerian. I loved the sense of magic in African films. I later traveled to Senegal and Mali for documentaries, and went to the FESPACO, a fabulous film festival in Burkina Faso. I have such immense respect for Senegalese filmmakers Ousmane Sembene and Djibril Diop Mambéty.

Jamati: I want to talk now about your latest film, RED, which is currently in competition in the Doorpost Film Project contest. Tell us what the film is about?

RED was fueled by the June 2008 Supreme Court ruling that reduced the amount Exxon had to pay in damages for the Exxon Valdez Oil spill that killed hundreds of thousands of animals instantly and caused severe long-term contamination. I became interested in the story of a young woman struggling against a grave environmental injustice. The subversive medium of graffiti art is a rich visual landscape for her self-discovery. RED shows us that hope can be found within.

Jamati: Gbenga Akinnagbe, a Nigerian-American actor, who is best known for his role as Chris Partlow on The Wire, is in your film. How was it working with him?

Gbenga is an actor of the highest professional quality. It was a joy to work with such a talent. And I think it attests to his professionalism that he approached this big-hearted low budget short film project with the same integrity—even though he had worked with Denzel Washington, John Travolta, and director Tony Scott the month before.

Jamati: Let our readers know how they can support your latest film RED?

There are just a few days left to log on to www.thedoorpost.com and vote for RED!
With your vote, we can win 100k in critical development support for 7th Empire’s slate of social issue-driven films. You only have until September 10 to cast your vote for my newest film, RED. This is an opportunity for you to watch the work of independent filmmakers and to have a real voice in supporting your favorite films by voting!

Jamati: Also, let the readers know what you’re currently working on and where they can view your work.

I am in development for a feature film. You can learn more about my work by visiting this website.

And thanks for having me on Jamati!

Jamati: Thank you so much Shalini. It has been an absolute pleasure and I wish you continued success in all of your endeavors.