Meet Rushan Jesani | Writer – Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rushan Jesani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rushan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
When I ask myself why I pursued an artistic career, I think back to how I used to tell stories about things that never actually happened to me. I would take my listeners on a journey, and before they realized it wasn’t real, the story would end. The goal was to make them believe in the story so completely that it changed their mood or lifted their spirits. The real thrill for me was in crafting a narrative so engaging that it felt like I was living in a film myself. Seeing their reactions and knowing I had taken them on that journey was one of my favorite moments.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart is my dedication to storytelling. I consistently create and learn, and I’m passionate about the process. I’m especially excited about my film Khadda, a sports drama that’s very close to my heart. It has recently been selected for the Chicago South Asian Festival, and I’m thrilled to see it on the big screen.

My journey began with a clear vision, supported by two great friends—Prince Ty, who was the costume and production designer for Khadda, and Abhinay Pandit, the cinematographer. Working with them was fantastic; their creativity and commitment helped bring my vision to life. Even though the film was produced in India while I was in the USA, I managed everything with the help of my Dad, my Uncle, and my co-producer, Adik Khan. It felt like the universe was aligning to make this project happen.

One major challenge was finding the right location and actors who could play soccer. As a former soccer player, I reached out to teammates Karan Jadav and Jake Shah, who helped recruit players. Coordinating two full soccer teams as extras was difficult, especially making sure they could act as well. Rehearsals with football choreographer Aarish Ansari were limited, but his experience and game plan aligned with my vision.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that having a clear vision and putting in the effort to execute it can bring people together to create something meaningful.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting for a week, I’d start with breakfast at Broken Egg in Burbank, then head to Point Dume Beach to enjoy the stunning sunset. The next day, we’d explore the Getty Museum and Santa Monica Pier, ending with drinks at Melrose Umbrella Co. We’d also take a day trip to Joshua Tree for hiking and stargazing, then return to the city for brunch and sightseeing at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Finally, we’d visit Griffith Observatory for great views, LACMA for art, and Venice Beach for some last-minute fun before a farewell dinner. This mix of beach time, culture, and city exploration would make for an amazing week.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Ruya Jesani
Prince Ty
Abhinay Pandit
Miguel Burgos

Website: http://www.rushanjesani.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rushanjesani

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rushanjesani

Image Credits
Anuj Desai