Bandar (Monkey)

At its core, Bandar offers a fresh take on the South Asian love story, giving us a glimpse into the memories of two conflicted individuals trying to make sense of love, distance, and the people they are becoming.

The use of color and cinematography reflects the emotional state of the relationship before and after long distance. The present exists in black and white, highlighting the emotional and physical distance between Hiya and Neil, while the past is full of color, warmth, and intimacy. The idea stems from a simple belief: we often remember our past as more vibrant than it really was, while our present feels dull because we're still living through it. Through this contrast, Bandar explores how memory shapes our perception of love without assigning blame to either character.

Alongside my producer, Ghalib Datta, I believe there is room for a South Asian love story that feels honest, contemporary, and deeply relatable. Made on a shoestring budget of just $1,500, Bandar brings together an incredible team of artists whose work spans Netflix productions, international independent cinema, and collaborations with industry legends such as Robert De Niro. Despite its scale, the film was built with the ambition of creating something emotionally universal while remaining rooted in a distinctly Indian experience.