Chhaya Nene’s ‘Kurta Pants’ set to premiere at CSAFF: A conversation with the filmmaker and Festival Director Jigar Shah

Indian American writer-director Chhaya Nene’s film ‘Kurta Pants’ will have its Chicago premiere at the 15th Annual Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF). The festival is directed by Jigar Shah, a man whose passion and vision for film and curating a welcoming environment has made CSAFF a festival not to be missed.

We sat down with Nene and Shah to talk about filmmaking, film festivals, and what makes memorable content.

First question to Shah, tell us about CSAFF. How did the concept come about? What does it mean to you?

Shah: The Chicago South Asian Film Festival has been a platform for talented individuals to share their unique stories and perspectives with the Chicago audience. Through a diverse selection of films, CSAFF continues to highlight the richness of South Asian cinema and its impact on the global film industry. It was started by two amazing individuals, Ketki Parikh and Amit Rana, who wanted to cultivate the art and film scene in Chicago. Ketki Parikh used to tell me that she was among the very few South Asians who used to go to CIFF and watch every movie. I joined the festival after its establishment.

CSAFF to me, is where my passion and vision get an avenue to flourish. It is a creative fulfillment event and a process, and I thoroughly enjoy it. This year is the 15^th year in making and we are very proud of the content we have brought to Chicago through the festival. My biggest strength is my team, my supportive board, and my friends. They are with me throughout this process and are real heroes of the festival.

And Jigar, what drew you to ‘Kurta Pants’? What makes it stand out to you? 

Shah: I loved your work Chhaya in ‘Kurta Pants’. You are a brilliant actor and a director. I loved the way you have used craftsmanship to deliver a very critical and sensitive subject in a lighthearted way. I can see the authenticity in your work. You have the cast which is diverse and BIPOC.  These are very realistic situations and I feel you have touched the theme of social justice in an artistic yet subtle way.

What about you Chhaya, how do you feel hearing that– and what does it mean to you to be at CSAFF?

Nene: Wow, I — that is so kind. I feel so lucky to be in CSAFF and at a festival that holds space to support and uplift our voices. There are a lot of people who talk about doing the work where Jigar is out here doing it. And if you ever get the chance to talk to him you immediately get the sense of how much he cares. There is something about being in a festival with South Asian voices, artists, and community that makes you feel at home. This is my first time having a film at CSAFF and honestly, I can’t wait to go.

Chhaya, tell us about ‘Kurta Pants’ – it’s been accepted to eight festivals now, has won Best Short in both Los Angeles and Toronto, as well as Best Debut Director in DC, and is up for other multiple awards. What made you create this piece, and name it?

Nene: First, thank you! It feels surreal to have the film received in this way. I’m touched and so excited.

Second, that’s a great question. If you’ve ever seen the pants or pajama part of the Kurta ensemble, you’ll see that it is one size fits all. And that’s where I wanted the imagery to come from, the idea that we as South Asians are not one size fits all. In fact, no culture is. However, we do have things in common, if you look at the Nigerian culture and their clothing, you’ll find they have similar pants. The story is about acknowledging our commonalities, honoring our differences, having tough conversations when you bring someone home, and ultimately love. I wanted to address race, religion, and cultural biases in South Asian and Nigerian cultures while recognizing this is not a one-label-fits-all-all situation.

And there’s a twist: It’s done as a comedy.

Wow, audience members are in for a treat! Jigar, how does culture come into play with the festival? What do you feel the festival has provided to filmmakers and festivalgoers? 

Shah: I really like this quote by Thomas Wolfe, “Culture is the arts elevated to a set of beliefs.” Without culture, even when things are perfect, it is still chaotic. Filmmakers and their stories are the ethos to me and for the festival. Our biggest strength is our people and the similar passion they share. We have a supportive, visionary board, an energetic committee and volunteers, and most importantly, a fun-loving audience. We have always strived to create a warm, creative, and homey atmosphere for filmmakers, volunteers, guests, and the audience alike.

READ: ‘Kurta Pants’ writer-director Chhaya Nene: Stereotypes are not okay (June 13, 2024)

We work very hard to broaden the reach and scope of our programming in getting films to diverse and varied audiences. We try to support new films, providing them the best possible launch platforms, but fundamentally this means providing them with broad and engaged audiences. We listen to our audiences carefully and try to find new ways each year to get them more involved. We try to not limit the notion of culture, but to look for the places where culture emerges. In short, we are not afraid of innovative ideas and we constantly explore the event-cinema trend and bring daring, bold, international cinema to Chicago land.

For filmmakers, we provide exposure, visibility and most importantly network opportunities. We also provide a platform to them to gauge the audience’s firsthand reaction. Filmmakers have also connected with Distributors in the festival and got a wider release. At the end of the day, the festival has provided the platform for films that might not fit into mainstream cinema yet important to display. 

Jigar, what stands out to you in the films you select?

Shah: I’m a huge movie buff and while programming there are several aspects of films which stand out to me. The unique aspect of the film is its story, How compelling it is! I enjoy films which portray a unique message, and it is relatable. Every film is different and evokes various emotions while watching it. I look for finer details in every frame. If the film has a strong visual and cinematic element, that is the icing on the cake. It also shows if the filmmaker has justified each character and their context within the film. Film aspects such as cinematography, screenwriting, sound design, color, frame ratio and all the technical fineness are important while making a film.

Films have power to transcend to a particular mood, place or a situation and if a filmmaker can do that while being true to the story and the subject, film has already passed the litmus test in my opinion. Narrative plays a big part in the film and can hold the audience to their seats. Films that push boundaries, challenge norms, originality in execution are few things I look for while selecting a film.

Jigar and Chhaya, do you have a particular goal with your work IE (furthering spaces for BIPOCs or telling a certain story?)

Shah: Yes, I want to bring more and more stories which touch on these so-called not talked about topics which are very relevant, especially in the South Asian community. My goal is to amplify the underrepresented and marginalized voices to change the way people think. Perception is the enemy of righteousness and I believe films like this shed light on social issues.

I also want to create a safe space for artists to come out and share their experiences. Whether it is BIPOC, LGBTQ, disability, mental health, women empowerment, human rights, immigration, social injustice, etc., films are a powerful medium to portray sensitive emotions. A successful premiere at a festival can become a gateway for the films in the industry and can attract validation and recognition. These films can pave the way for future generations in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nene: Absolutely. The goal is to write and do the work because I love it that much. It truly does not feel like work to me when I’m writing/directing/on set. It’s a calling that comes from within and some days I can’t believe I get paid to have so much fun.

In terms of my work, I’ve found myself drawn to the social justice lens. I think it comes from my journalism and really has woven its way into my storytelling. I want to create spaces to have tough conversations, be seen the way we would like to be seen, and show our communities as the fun, dynamic, multi-faceted communities that we are. South Asians are so beyond being just the doctors, lawyers, cab drivers, etc. that you see on TV. We have so much to offer and if it’s not being written, then I will write it and make it happen.

Jigar, tell us about some of the joys of the festival.

Shah: There are many joys of the festival. One of the greatest joys is bringing untold stories and discovering new talents through the festival. [A] film festival is the platform where first-time filmmakers can bring their work to a cinematic platform and most importantly engage in the Q&A with the audience. The festival brings creative talents under one roof and becomes a platform to network. To me, that is very important. If a director can find the actor or a producer, how cool is that. I believe in the power of connecting and I have always used festival as a medium to connect people in the hope that something meaningful comes out of it.

Working day/night for the festival is tiring but it is fulfilling too. Through the festival, I have found my tribe and my vibe!

Describe some of the challenges…

Shah: I will be very honest. One of the biggest challenges these days to run a festival is financial sustainability. Finding funds, and sponsors has become very tough. With the advent of OTT platforms, festivals have a tough time to justify themselves. Also, while films are with production houses and agents, you have to work through a lot of details to secure them. It is good and bad in its own way.

It is also hard to attract an audience for every film. Cultivating an audience for the festival is a process and can be challenging. When we talk about logistics and operations, managing it under budget becomes a challenge on its own. Multiple venues, screenings, DCP costs, putting up ticketing infrastructure and marketing costs is another headache.

WATCH: IFFLA 2024 Closing Night: Vijay Sethupathi, Nithilan Swaminathan speak to (July 12, 2024)

With films becoming more global, sometimes it poses unique global challenges as well.

What advice do you have for those who are starting out or those who want to get into filmmaking/having their own festival but are stuck?

Shah: My advice to the ones who are starting to get into filmmaking is, study and see some of the great films and filmmakers. Focus on storytelling and be true to your narrative. Filmmaking is an art, and every frame & detail is important. Learn the basics first and sharpen them continuously. Sometimes exploring topics and going through the process teaches you a lot about you. Observe that carefully, you will understand your strength.

Also, filmmaking hinges huge on networks. NETWORK, NETWORK and NETWORK! Meet people in the similar space, try to ask them questions about their journey. Observe and listen and be ready to take critical feedback. No one is perfect and it is a journey. If you want to go far, don’t walk alone, try to seek mentors, and learn from their experiences. Take risks and build on good experiences.

Tell stories you are passionate about and it will come from within. Don’t be afraid to fail. I always remember: A broken watch is right twice a day!

Lastly, don’t miss the business side of filmmaking. As much as the art and craft is important, marketing and business of every film are important too. Have friends who can be those advisors to you!

Nene:  The best advice I have is to just do it. Get out there and do the work you love. Volunteer to work on a set, it’s a masterclass in whatever job you want to have. Write the things you love, make a TikTok, a reel, memorize a monologue. Whatever you’re into, do it. When you’re working and volunteering, you start to build a community of people who know how to make a film– those are the people who are going to help you make your art.

This industry rewards those who persevere and those who have a lot of luck. I don’t have control over the luck so I keep going even when it gets tough. Believe in your vision and don’t let anyone take you away from your goals.

Is there anything else I did not ask about you or your vision you’d like to share?

Shah: My vision of the film festival is to make it more of an immersive cultural experience. I would like to eventize every screening and create a wholesome experience for the viewer. I also want to encourage bold and daring topics which can spark meaningful discussions.

With the tech and AI boom, festivals have become more sophisticated. My vision is to bring innovation in the way films are presented in the festival. I would like to create a collective of film festivals across the globe which can share similarities yet bring in the uniqueness.

Remember how Disney evolved from a small amusement park to a multi-city theme park. I would like to create a festival which has the potential to travel in every city and become a meaningful platform of visual storytelling with a compelling message. I would like to partner with Amazon, Netflix, Hulu and other production houses to create a distribution platform through the festival where each filmmaker has access to these platforms and have an opportunity to pitch their work.

I want to create a festival which is environmentally friendly and explores themes of sustainability and climate change. It is very important.

Every festival should have a hybrid model which can engage audiences year-round in a different way. This can build a loyal community and subscription-based model or membership can attract MORE people and provide exclusive content.

I also want to create a channel to gather audience feedback in a way which can be supplied to every filmmaker and have film analysts create a report for them. I want to call it the Film Festival Feedback Dashboard.

In the end, my vision is to create wings for storytellers so that they can fly into every household and have an opportunity to showcase their talent.

Nene:  I think it’s important to remember to have a life and live it. Sometimes we get caught up in the shoulds and should nots but living a full life also informs our work. Having a vast life experience to draw from makes our art more interesting and layered. Have as much fun as you can–life is too short to miss out on moments.

In terms of work, chart your own course. If something feels right to you, go for it. Don’t let other people dictate your career.

Chhaya, where can we follow along ‘Kurta Pants’ with CSAFF and some of your other work?

You can follow the film on Instagram at @kurtapantsthefilm, we will be posting updates and festival news. We’ve submitted to a variety of festivals and will definitely be sharing more there.

In terms of other work, I’m currently working on three features. And on the acting side, you can catch me in ABC’s Big Sky, General Hospital, Speechless and Netflix’s The OA as well as Archana Shinde’s ‘Earbuds’ which will be hitting festivals.