Meet Sahej Singh | Writer & Director

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

Hi Sahej Singh, what role has risk played in your life or career?
The saying, “There is no growth in the comfort zone, and no comfort in the growth zone,” underscores the undeniable role of risk in both life and work. As a director, you’re constantly navigating risk. On any given set, there are numerous things that could go wrong—whether it’s actors struggling to deliver their best performances, a cinematographer unable to position the camera as envisioned, or shooting at a location where airplanes pass by every 90 seconds, making it impossible to capture clean sound. And all of this unfolds under the pressure of time and budget constraints.

A director’s true skill lies in their ability to remain calm and resourceful in such moments, finding creative solutions to unforeseen obstacles. Personally, I thrive in high-pressure, risk-laden environments like these. They push me to think quickly and often lead me to ideas I wouldn’t have conceived otherwise. Risks when they pay off, can be incredibly rewarding.

When I graduated from university, many of my classmates also aspired to become filmmakers. Most chose the conventional route in India—assisting on Bollywood film sets with the hope of eventually getting the opportunity to direct their own films. However, I was determined to start my filmmaking journey right away. I knew, without a doubt, that I wanted to be a filmmaker. So, I took the biggest risk of my life.

I moved back in with my parents to save money on rent and food. I used the income from my freelance sound mixing work to fund my own films. This decision wasn’t without its challenges. The people who cared about me were understandably concerned for my future. To many, it seemed like I was taking a step backward rather than moving forward. I wasn’t working a full-time job; instead, I was spending my own money to create art, all while facing the societal judgment that comes with living with your parents in your 20s.

This phase of my life lasted nearly three years, but it proved to be incredibly transformative. By the end of it, I had made two feature films—while many of my university peers were still assisting on Bollywood sets, waiting for their chance to make their own films. Looking back, that time spent pursuing my passion, despite the setbacks and doubts, was crucial in shaping who I am as a filmmaker.

I will always view those years as a pivotal and highly instrumental part of my creative journey.

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’m a filmmaker, writer, and director from Mumbai, India, with a deep-rooted passion for cinema that has been with me for as long as I can remember. Initially, my love for films began with simply enjoying watching them. However, during my undergraduate years, I started experimenting with filmmaking, and it didn’t take long for me to realize that this was the path I wanted to pursue in life.

After university, I dedicated four years to honing my craft, during which I created two independent feature films: “July, 2020” (2021) and “Varun! Medha! Varun!” (2023), both of which were showcased at various film festivals. This journey further fueled my desire to take my work in a more ambitious direction, prompting me to enroll at the American Film Institute Conservatory. With the knowledge and experience I gain there, I aim to direct Hollywood films in the future.

In terms of my creative process, I find myself more fascinated by people than abstract ideas. I tend to create character-driven stories that explore the intricacies of human relationships, often delving into the theme of love. While romantic love is a central theme in many of my films, I also enjoy portraying love in its many unexpected forms—be it between people or found in the ordinary moments of life. I am drawn to uncovering drama in the mundane, revealing depth and meaning in the seemingly small things.

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.
I absolutely love Los Angeles. I always wanted to visit this place, and now I can’t believe I live here. Before moving, I had seen LA through the lens of filmmakers like Paul Thomas Anderson and Michael Mann, and had read about it in the novels of Charles Bukowski and John Fante. LA, often seen as the epicenter of culture and lifestyle, in my opinion, also holds a deep sense of history.

For that reason, even though it may not always make the top of tourist lists, I’d first take any visitor to Downtown LA, specifically to Angels Flight Railway and the Grand Central Market. These two spots stand as reminders of the LA that once was, and they’re the perfect starting point for any tour of the city.

Of course, being home to Hollywood, Los Angeles is also unparalleled when it comes to movie theaters and entertainment. I particularly enjoy visiting the Vista and the Egyptian, both of which are close to where I live and consistently show fantastic films throughout the year.

It may sound a bit cliché, but I also have a soft spot for Universal Studios. The experience there is undeniably fun. For food, Japanese cuisine along Ventura Boulevard is an absolute must. And no trip to LA would be complete without a stop at In-N-Out.

P.S. When I first got here, I was surprised by how many psychic shops the city had. Over the past few months, I’ve visited a few, and I have to admit, they’re pretty fascinating! They really capture that unique, quirky vibe that makes LA so special.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When I first arrived at college, I encountered all sorts of people unlike anyone I had met before, which led to unexpected friendships that have endured to this day. One of the first people I met was Varun Menon, who would go on to become both a close friend and a long-time collaborator.

Varun and I came from different backgrounds, each of us bringing our own unique experiences to the table. He was living in India for the first time, feeling like a fish out of water, while I, up until then, had never left my home country. Despite our differences, we shared a deep passion for films. We loved the same kinds of movies and could talk about them for hours on end. We had a shared dream: one day, we hoped to make films of our own.

That dream turned into reality when we formed a creative partnership that has now lasted years. Throughout our time in college, we collaborated on several film projects. We’d write scripts together, with me directing and Varun acting. It was a partnership we truly cherished, and even after graduation, we kept that creative bond alive.

When I began working on my second feature film, *”Varun! Medha! Varun!”* I wrote the titular role specifically for him. Not only did Varun take on the role of one of the leads, but when we faced financial challenges, he went above and beyond by investing his own money to help bring the project to life.

Varun was the person who believed in me before I even believed in myself. His unwavering support gave me the courage to realize that filmmaking wasn’t just a dream—it was something I could pursue for the rest of my life.

I’m incredibly grateful for our friendship and the creative journey we’ve shared. I look forward to continuing this collaboration and friendship for the rest of my life.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KbpVUYFgXI&ab_channel=StudioQasbaah