At its soul, the film mocks the harrowing experience a woman faces in the name of culture, rituals or beliefs that remains constant across all ages, even in life threatening situations. Manya wanted her film to be made in Delhi (India) as this would really help her film to authentically connect with her audience
Manya Gadhok and Kiara Kapoor
In November 2019, Manya Gadhok, a young filmmaker based in New York, was solely working towards directing her first short film, Soulmates. Born and raised in Delhi, Manya saw patriarchy as a key obstacle for the personal or professional growth of every woman. She was certain to use her filmmaking skills to challenge the misogynist values, which are deeply embedded in each and every member of the society, men or women alike. Hence, Soulmates was born, a short film that not only dives into the patriarchal world we live in but raises an alarm for the viewer to wake up.
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Being a debutant filmmaker, Manya had no active professional connections, and on top of that there was a deadline of two months! It is here when her cousin sister, Kiara Kapoor, an experienced casting director located in Mumbai (India) came to her rescue. Kiara started her career in the Bollywood industry without any plan. There was no set path that she had decided but she believes that destiny had plans for her that landed up at the right time at the right place.
“As I was completely new in the field, I worked as a casting intern without a salary for a very long time since I had to learn the skill on the job”, says Kiara. “After learning quite a lot I was finally able to grab a paid job and wonderful work experience with quite a few big names. Eventually I became a casting director myself. I have been a part of the Industry for almost 7 years now and this journey has not been perfect. It has been full of ups and downs, tears and laughter but I am immensely grateful for this experience. I discovered a side of me that I never knew I had for which I am eternally grateful.”
“Manya and I are cousins but all these years we never had a bond. Soulmates brought us together so this project is especially special for me. Soulmates was my first step to moving out of my comfort zone of casting and venturing into learning the process of executing producer,” Kiara adds.
Together Manya and Kiara, were able to accomplish something that might be impossible to any outsider at that time. Today, Soulmates has received numerous international film festivals, and has attained the praise and laud from their peers and mentors in the filmmaking world. For them, this short film has turned out to be a turning point in their careers and as well as their personal life.
Currently, Manya is working on some short film projects while simultaneously attending numerous film festivals where her film, Soulmates, gets shortlisted. She still aims to use her work to provide voice to those who are often silenced in the society. On the other hand, Kiara continues her stint as an independent casting director, where she helps numerous production houses connect with the right talent for their project. More importantly, the project of Soulmates might be coming to an end but it started a relationship that both of them cherish and celebrate every day.
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