Meet Sadhana Ramesh | Editor, Writer & Director

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

Hi Sadhana, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
As a child, I dreamed of becoming a cardiologist, but looking back, I have no clue where that aspiration came from, as I was constantly involved in all sorts of artistic pursuits thanks to my parents. I participated in everything with great enthusiasm, from creative writing, public speaking, singing, dancing, and painting to playing instruments. Therefore, it was not a surprise when I discovered my passion for filmmaking in high school, particularly for editing.

I started my filmmaking journey by making silly home videos and skits with my family and friends. I discovered my interest in editing by creating edits of my favorite films, characters, and musicians. Editing gave me an incredible sense of freedom. Editing is like writing but with video footage, and I love writing and rewriting stories and perspectives. I realized that I wanted to become a filmmaker and editor to make an impact with my art, express my thoughts and feelings in one place, and let them guide every step of the creative process. My emotional sensitivity was always viewed as a weakness, but I can channel it freely and give it meaning through film. I observe and pay a lot of attention to detail and it’s a characteristic that makes me love editing. I can be as nitpicky and perfectionist as an editor.

Film is one of the most remarkable forms of storytelling, combining various art forms to create a cohesive narrative. It is perfect for someone like myself who is indecisive and passionate about every form of art. I moved from India to LA to pursue an artistic career to create something significant, explore all the universe offers, and indulge in my fantasies and imagination. Editing is extremely rewarding and the process of bringing everything together to make a goof film is exciting and I’ll never get tired of it. Ultimately, I am an artist at heart and the little child who fell asleep on my mother’s lap to the sound of films. As a result, I want to spend the rest of my life doing what I love to do and what I connect with profoundly.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe what sets me apart is my diverse skillset. I began training in Carnatic singing at age five and continued to do so until I moved to the U.S. at age 18. I also learned to play the piano, Carnatic violin, and veena, as well as other instruments I taught myself. Additionally, I have developed skills in various art forms, including oil pastel, acrylic, and watercolor painting.

As a filmmaker and editor, I bring a unique perspective to my art. My inquisitive nature and diverse background have led me to explore different subjects, including the universe, the science behind life, and the human condition. My cultural background, and knowledge of music, painting, and dance allow me to add depth, layers, and emotion to my editing and filmmaking.

I am most proud and excited about my film Moksha. I was chosen to bring my vision to life for my senior thesis. It is a story about an Indian mother healing her inner child, which is close to my heart. I can’t wait to direct and create a beautiful visual film and tell the story I wrote in my dorm room. I am also proud of my ability to tell a story and evoke emotions through music and moving images without the need for words.

Getting to where I am today has been an extremely challenging journey. I moved to the U.S. from India in January 2020 and was blindfolded and plummeted into COVID-19 and an unfamiliar environment. This period was traumatic for me, affecting my school work and my journey as an artist. As a woman of color and an international student, navigating the field has been difficult, and I have faced misogyny and microaggressions from my peers. However, with the help of my support system and my dedication to my dreams, I continue to move forward.

I believe in my art, and it has consistently proven to me that I should keep going. I have won many art competitions, and every time I doubt myself, another win keeps me on track. As an artist, I have learned to look into people rather than at them. I have learned that people can be biased and see me differently due to my race and gender, but my work will prove them wrong. Most importantly, I have learned always to be kind and keep an open mind. I would like the world to know that I work hard and bring intelligence and a range of perspectives to any artistic pursuit.

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.
Los Angeles is a vast city rich in culture and offers fantastic food options. Recently, my roommates and I discovered a bagel place in Westlake called Calic Bagel. We tried their specialty stuffed bagels filled with cream cheese and garlic which were easily the best bagels I have ever had. We cannot stop talking about it and can’t wait to go back there.

For any mochi lover, I highly recommend Fugetsu Do, located in Little Tokyo. They offer a wide variety of fresh and delicious mochi. For dessert, my favorite ice cream place is McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams in Studio City. Their Earl Grey Tea and Shortbread Cookies ice cream is my go-to.

Aside from food, I love visiting the Academy Museum and LACMA. I grew up by the beach in Chennai, India. The beach is my most beloved place to be. The beaches in Malibu are great, and I enjoy going there. Although touristy, Universal Studios is my guilty pleasure. I love amusement parks and thrilling rides.

Lastly, if you love movies like I do, I highly recommend the New Bev. It’s a lovely and intimate place to watch movies on film. There are still plenty of other things to explore and try in LA, but this is a good starting point.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I feel incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful support system and a life filled with amazing people who constantly uplift me and encourage me to keep moving forward. Firstly, I want to thank my parents for giving me this precious life. My mom is my best friend, and I am truly blessed to be able to say that. She is always there for me, provides me the space to be myself, and nurtures me to express myself. My father is my rock and my strength. I navigate through life knowing that if I ever fall, he will be there to pick me up. He is why I can pursue my career and work towards my dreams. If he hadn’t opened this door for me, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I have today.

Secondly, I want to thank my brother for entertaining me, showing me cool things as I grew up, and always hyping me up. My childhood best friend, Supreetha, and my cousin, Aanya, watched me grow up and gave me the confidence to pursue my passions. To this day, they send me motivating messages and keep me going. I express my gratitude to my high school best friend, Aishu. She inspires me, and I cherish our days together, creating our imaginary worlds.

I extend my sincere thanks to my accounting teacher, Jayanthi Ma’am. I went through a challenging time in high school, and along with teaching me accounting and business, she also taught me to embrace myself, believe in myself, and stand up for myself. Another teacher and mentor I thank is Mr. Joel Krantz, my professor at CSUN. He is a post-sound mixer and a passionate teacher. He mentors me in my film path and makes my time at CSUN memorable.

I would also like to thank my partner in crime, Jimmy Ward, for always showing me love and standing by my side. I thank Jessica, Ghozi, and Tonie, my dearest friends at CSUN, for helping me get through university and gifting me with wonderful memories. Thank you all for believing in me and supporting me in my journey.

Instagram: okaysadhi

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/sadhana-ramesh-a4a5472b6

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sadhanafilmsfilms