RASA Film Group, based in New York, is about to greatly affect South Asian movies. The independent production collective said tech executive Rohit Bhayana has joined its leadership team. Along with this news, RASA announced a wide range of bold projects for the next twelve months.
Established in 2024, RASA Film Group quickly became known for its dedication to diverse storytelling, especially in promoting short films directed by women. The collective made four movies in its first year, giving it a strong base in the independent film industry.
“Witness,” an interesting short film, is one of RASA’s planned releases. It will have its North American premiere at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival. The movie Radha Mehta and Saif Jaan directed shows how hard it is for an imam to balance traditional values with helping a male congregation member on his spiritual path. The project has a lot of support; the Netflix Tasveer Film Fund and the InsideOut 2SLGBTQ+ RE: Focus Fund have given it money.
“Don’t Be Late, Myra,” a project made by Pakistan and the US together, is also very interesting. This movie has already gotten a lot of attention at film festivals. It was directed by Afia Serena Nathaniel and produced by Nouman Waheed of Triangle Productions. It premised at the Woodstock Film Festival, where it was up for the Mark Braunstein Award, equivalent to an Oscar. The movie has kept getting good reviews. It was chosen to be shown at the St. Louis International Film Festival and the Foyle Film Festival’s “Light in Motion” Competition.
“Half,” a comic short directed by Arti Ishak, is another example of RASA’s commitment to telling different kinds of stories. This movie, shot in Chicago and finished in September, is a pilot for a possible TV show. It looks at how hard it is to be an Asian-Arab Muslim American and figure out your identity as a mixed-race person.
Dhwani Shah’s psychological horror movie Seen will also be shown at RASA. The film will first be shown at the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival in 2025. In the same year, plans are being made to turn the short film into a full-length movie.
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A partner at RASA, Rohi Mirza Pandya, was excited about the group’s plans to broaden its focus. “We are so excited to include more stories from the South Asian diaspora and bring more partners on board who share our vision,” he said.
When Rohit Bhayana joins RASA, he takes important skills with him. He brings business sense and an artistic approach to his work as co-founder of the data analytics company InfoCepts. His other job is to be on the Washington, D.C.-based Shakespeare Theatre Company board. Along with original partners Asad Butt, Sujit Chawla, Pandya, and Atul Prashar, Bhayana will be in charge of RASA’s future.
