Cuppa Chai

After the death of her Nani Ji, eighteen-year-old Mira arrives back in her hometown and is confronted by the fact that she knows very little about the woman who passed away. She must learn more about her grandmother's life the only way she knows how, through the perfect cup of tea and halwa.

  • Amit Kaur
    Director
    A Suitable Boy (Post Coordinator), The Road Home - Oscar shortlisted (Assistant Director)
  • Radha Bhandari
    Writer
    For Heidi (Producer)
  • Kelly Wong
    Producer
  • Radha Bhandari
    Producer
    For Heidi (Producer)
  • Raya Dasgupta
    Key Cast
    "Mira"
    Royal Exchange Theatre
  • Meera Ganatra
    Key Cast
    "Mrs.Gupta"
    Blinded By Light (Gurinder Chadha)
  • Ruchika Jain
    Key Cast
    The Square Circle (Short)
  • Bhawna Bhawsar
    Key Cast
  • Omar Khan
    Key Cast
    Voices (Short)
  • Beatriz Delgado Mena
    Cinematographer
  • Hollie Buhagiar
    Composer
    White Ant (Sundance)
  • Tanupriya Sharma
    Editor
    A Suitable Boy (BBC)
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 18 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 15, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Amit Kaur

Amit Kaur is a Cambridge based film maker. Her first short film as an Assistant Director with Producer Ameenah Allen "The Road Home" was longlisted for Oscar (2010) in the Best Short Film category.

She is now developing her first feature, a coming of age female led drama, as Director and Co-Writer.

She has worked with filmmakers Mira Nair and Lydia Pilcher for the BBC Adaptation, A Suitable Boy. She has also worked extensively in one of the biggest film industries in the world in India before venturing out independently. Amit has also directed one of India's first web series, ' Life Sahi Hai'.

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Director Statement

'Cuppa Chai' is an ode to our forefathers who left their homelands for a better future for their children.

The film is a BFI NETWORK Funded short film created by a female led crew bringing together their diverse cultural experiences.

BAFTA-nominated and BIFA-winning producer Ameenah Allen (ROCKS) is the executive producer of the film. The crew includes award winning cinematographer Beatriz Delgado Mena (Stay With Me, Losing Grace) and composer Hollie Buhagiar (The Wick).

I came across Radha’s beautiful script in a virtual meet up during lockdown. We instantly connected over our shared cultural experiences and a desire to write fresh narrative about immigrant experiences.

With Cuppa Chai, we discover Britain’s multicultural fabric through Mira as she navigates her way to make a cup of tea led by a textured sound design. Simply the way she prepares a cuppa reveals how her identity and individuality is intertwined with that of her grandparent’s homeland. We go on a journey of self discovery with Mira as she transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries through the enchanting realms of magic.

While the film was shot against extremely challenging circumstances, the crew and cast has put their heart and soul into creating this .

I hope this film resonates with you, leaving a sweet aftertaste and inspires you to rewrite your own familial narratives.