Pavit Gandhi: Where Truth Meets Emotion in Modern Storytelling

Pavit Gandhi is a unique storyteller, aiming to blend the astute craftsmanship of journalism with the heartfelt depth of cinematic storytelling. Her distinctive voice comes from her background in both news production and independent film, and her work is inspired by truth, empathy, and personal narratives.

An Indian immigrant, Pavit sees herself as “a multidisciplinary artist tracing the blurred lines between fact and feeling,” an idea that’s central to her art. As an indie filmmaker, she draws from both rigorous journalism and the emotional connectivity with her surroundings. In the newsroom, she learned to communicate with clarity and structure narratives efficiently. On film sets, she channels those same skills into sincere, raw, visually expressive stories that speak to the complexity of identity, place, and memory.

Through her projects, such as her thesis film K A L K I and her recently produced independent feature Regret Like That, Pavit works on narratives that weave honest characters and smart filmmaking techniques into beautiful, chaotic, and rich stories. She says, “I focus on stories that highlight the pressing realities of our time, be it in theatre, art, or economic issues, in the hopes of starting a dialogue.”

For Pavit, storytelling is a deeply personal art form, inspired by everyday life. She recalls a need to emotionally preserve moments that eventually led her to stand behind the camera. Her vision, shaped by the works of masters like Dorothea Lange and Agnes Verda, generates more than just pictures. It is a “world with characteristics of its own.”

KALKI defined Pavit, giving her a chance to push her creative limits and figure out the kind of filmmaker she wanted to be. The project became a masterclass in adaptation when she lost her main filming location just one day before production began, a setback that made her question all of her decisions. However, with the support of her peers and the Chicago community, she was able to find an even better location, while retaining nearly all of her crew and actors. This experience became foundational, teaching her to be adaptable and showing her the power of community support.

As both an immigrant and a BIPOC artist, Pavit has faced the persistent uncertainty that comes with building a life between cultures, including the fear of never being fully settled or safe. Her advice to others in a similar situation is to stay connected to their roots by imbuing them in creative ways into new environments. The need to be a lifelong learner is important to her. “That balance of adapting without losing yourself,” she reflects, “is what helps you overcome any hurdle. And that’s something I’m still learning, project by project, day by day.”

Looking ahead, Pavit wants to continue pursuing her creative projects in cinema using her knowledge of journalism while also building spaces that uplift emerging filmmakers, especially those like herself who are starting from scratch. She hopes to give back to the community that has always supported her.

In an era of media skepticism, audiences are growing increasingly wary of both traditional media and big Hollywood productions. Sixty-nine percent of viewers trust local news to be honest [Pew Research, 2024], and 46% of Gen Z audiences prefer media that blends entertainment with news [Forbes, 2024].

This climate favors indie storytellers like Pavit, whose realism-inspired storytelling reflects a broader movement. Pavit’s unique vision and blend of storytelling offers a refreshing mix of grounded, emotionally honest narrative and artistic expression.

Pavit Gandhi’s journey, shaped by determination, courage, and multiple challenges, demonstrates the focus, resilience, and discipline required to thrive as an independent artist in a field often built on little more than dreams. As Pavit puts it, “Whether it’s a breaking news segment, a feature, or a 20-minute short, what matters to me is the honesty in the story. That’s what makes people stay with it.”