Meet Hari Iyer | Writer and Director

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

Hi Hari, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
In short, because I’m pretty miserable at everything else. Growing up, I tried to be everything but an artist. I like many privileged Indian boys in America thought i was going to be in the STEM field. A doctor, engineer, architect, businessman, computer engineer, even a professional NBA player. Something with a tangible roadmap to somewhat sustaining one’s monetary life. And I would arrogantly bounce around, expecting to strive in whatever I did…. But I was mediocre. Average at best. I had neither the brains nor determination required for those pursuit, often trailing my smarter, talented and more committed friends. I’m not demeaning those paths, there is definite artistry and creativity needed for those careers, but i guess something wasn’t catching on for me. Like Billie Eilish, what was i made for?

But anyways, my parents would always support me. They saw that I was a clearly a dreamer. Delusional at times but a heavy dreamer. Unlike other Indian parents, they never pushed me unto the well worn tracks of STEM, but only for me to excel in whatever I do. They would always encourage me, lecturing me about my unused talent. And I would always think, “Well if i had unused talent, i would definitely use it!”. I just couldn’t find it. Years would pass through my life before I reached a disarming realization. I had no idea what i was made for … but i can make things.

Now these things were usually still mediocre, but I nevertheless had a strong persisting desire to create things. However big or small. From my own drawn Yugioh cards, graphic novels, magazines, stories and camcorder films to a full blown, fully conceptualized faux-WWE organization run by me and my brother doing all the characters and storylines.

I had to Produce. Visualize. Build. Create worlds and situations that suited my thoughts, feelings and memories. In order to calm down and feel safe, I needed to mimic and transform.

If my family went to a restaurant, i would always take note of the establishment. Its food, decor, ambience, the waiter’s uniforms, the style of the book they would put the check in. Something about going to a restaurant, where you had to sit down, order, and pay, would turn my creative brain on. I would go home and create my own restaurant that would suite my own emotional needs – palette, aesthetic, business plan and all like a juvenile, jacked up on Mt. Dew Mr. Krabs. One day, my dad and I watched Arachnophobia, starring Jeff Daniels. The next day, i tried to write my own version of a huge spider movie starring Jim Carrey.

It almost felt like if i couldn’t create something, to produce more than i was consuming at a given moment, I had no power. Life was just happening to me and not in an interesting way. I definitely need therapy to unpack that but in the meantime, I’m gonna try making films. Cause i think filmmaking is a pretty grand stage of creation. It essentially allows one to play God in a mini-universe. And for a nervous neurotic kid like me living in a perceived harsh and prosaic world… this was everything. It meant a way for me to make sense of the world and myself. It gave me an identity that allowed me to still be mediocre at everything but be able to turn that into excellence.

Also do you see these old directors now? Ridley Scott, Spielberg, Agnes Varda, George Miller, Scorsese, Micheal Mann! These octogenarians have more juice and vigor than I currently do. There must be something in the sauce with this job that leads to a rewarding experience of the long life. It almost demands it, instilling a daily dose of failure, self reflection, growth, and mastery. When done right, I believe this job can keep you alive and sane in the brain more than most.

So I say all of this to say; Why did I pursue an artistic or creative career? – To hopefully live a long and interesting life.

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.
I went to school for film. I did undergrad at The University of Pittsburgh and a MFA at the New York Film Academy. I had backup majors originally planned but those fell by the wayside when my real passion start to clear up. I had an insane need to write, direct and produce films, all while sitting in a cool directing chair with a huge megaphone.

At NYFA, i created 2 shorts and 1 short film that is now a feature film. These 3 films are completely different. Tonally, Thematically, and Aesthetically. One is called “The Coffee Table” – a scrappy short shot on my Sony DSLR about a Thai guy trying to build a coffee table so he can vape. The other short is called “Cheyenne” – a comedy about a coked up rich socialite and his obsession with a dinosaur skull. The thing I’m most proud of and proud of everyone who worked on it, is “LOTUS”, my Hindi thesis feature film about an apprentice, his master, and his master’s possession – The Eye of Krishna. It is a thriller/drama/comedy coming out this year.

Now, my goal in my art is to have a varied and diverse filmography. Two movies should never be the same or serve the same purpose. A director’s biggest dream is to have their own aesthetic/style be recognizable. Wes Andersen comes to mind. But i want to be different. I want people to look back at my filmography and say – “HE MADE THAT?”. The dude made a gritty WW2 movie and then an animated children’s movie about a dog???

This is hyperbole of course but the spirit remains. I wish to make art that is as diverse as the human experience. As contradicting as the human psyche. As contradicting as I feel and am… I want my brand to be a guy figuring it out. And I hope audiences will come along for the ride.

In terms of overcome challenges and learning lessons, I have too much to name. It would be longer than the phone book. But if i had one lesson i learned, and probably still learning, is to “Be kind. Treat people with Kindness. And amazing things will happen”. Conan O’Brien said this and i don’t think any advice or lesson has been as simple as that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Food wise, nothing is beating the taco stands and street vendors. Those guys hustle and create amazing food for pretty cheap prices. Tacos Guelaguetza on Melrose is goated. For $2.00, you get more rich and filling food than half the overpriced rabbit food you get sometimes in this city.

Jon and Vinny’s is really good too. I had burrata cheese for the first time there in the salad and gotta say… I’m a fan now. Also love the music they play there. They crank that thing loud.

Blue Bottle for coffee, Quarters for affordable Korean BBQ and for Indian, i have to shoutout Indias Tandoori in Hollywood. I live 2 min away from there and they call me brother every-time i come in. Shoutout to the brothers!

In terms of outdoor stuff, the soft beaches of Venice, a hike at Malibu Creek State Park, jet skiing at Long Beach, and surfing in Santa Monica. It’s LA, you gotta be outside.

I’m a big comedy fan so probably also the Comedy Store, the Hollywood Improv, and the Laugh Factory.

In terms of going out and partying, I would probably say my apartment. One of the coolest and hottest clubs in all the area. There is beer, cool lights and an Indian kid editing all night. I also crank the music loud.

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?
I’d like to shoutout my parents for their love and support. My brother for being my partner in crime in my dumb hare-brained schemes and ideas. My grandparents for holding it down and showing me how to treat people with kindness. My friends for always keeping it real and honest in this facade world. The show Mad Men. Shah Rukh Khan. Ryan Gosling Sigma Male Memes. Drew Brees. The book Slaughterhouse 5. Conan O Brien. James Cameron. And DGG.

Website: www.hariiyerfilms.com

Instagram: @hvhari

Twitter: @HAV151