"Stories Become Universal When They're Honest": Sonia Bhatia On Her Journey As A Producer & South Asian Cinema's Future

From Mumbai to Los Angeles, producer Sonia Bhatia has built her journey around one conviction: that South Asian stories deserve to be seen not as cultural curiosities but as deeply human experiences. An MFA graduate from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she won an award for achievement in producing at First Look 2026, Bhatia has established herself in Los Angeles by building bridges between Indian and American cinema. In this conversation, she speaks about finding her creative voice, navigating Hollywood, and why authentic storytelling matters.

Q: Tell us about your journey. How did filmmaking become your calling?

Sonia Bhatia: I grew up in Mumbai, where cinema is almost impossible to separate from everyday life. I remember watching Rang De Basanti when I was seven years old, and it changed my worldview. At the same time, I was obsessed with Hannah Montana, and without realising it, I was learning of the power of stories and their ability to travel to any part of the world. I come from a long line of medical professionals, but thankfully my parents were very supportive of my different aspirations, and it was while pursuing my undergraduate degree in mass media that I decided to pursue filmmaking professionally. Before moving to the US, I worked across Mumbai's film and digital space, including at Times Internet and Chrome Pictures as a writers' room assistant at Flying Saucer Productions for the Netflix series Choona, and developing socially conscious content at Yuvaa with brands like Meta and Fastrack. For me, filmmaking has always been about finding stories that allow audiences to see a part of themselves, regardless of where they come from.

Q: What inspired you to move from Mumbai to Los Angeles to study at USC?

Sonia Bhatia: Studying at USC was a dream because it is the number one film school in the world, and I knew it would change my life, which it did. Moving to Los Angeles meant stepping outside my comfort zone and adapting to a different culture and professional environment. USC exposed me to filmmakers from across the world, and every collaboration became an opportunity to understand different perspectives and storytelling traditions. Those experiences reinforced my belief that while cultures vary, emotions remain universal.

Q: Your body of work spans various genres and festivals. Which project has transformed you the most?

Sonia Bhatia: Aayat holds a special place in my heart because I wrote, directed, and produced it. Set in Kashmir, it explores an unlikely friendship between a local child and an army officer. We filmed on location mere weeks after the cross-border conflict in summer 2025. Navigating production under those circumstances required immense resilience. Aayat was selected for the CAA Moebius Showcase, curated by the Creative Artists Agency, as well as the Tasveer Film Festival and the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival, amongst many others.

Other projects tested different skills. Fuel Up, which taught me everything I know about LED wall production, screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2026 in the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase and at LA Shorts. Dead Pet Shark was shot on 35mm celluloid on a beach and screened at Dances With Films NYC and the Nashville Film Festival. Meanwhile, Dear Mr Hitman, which tested my ability to produce an ambitious project under tight financial constraints played at the Cleveland International Film Festival. Each project leaves lessons for the next.

Q: You often emphasise helping South Asian stories transcend the "exoticism factor". What does that mean to you?

Sonia Bhatia: For years, South Asian stories presented abroad were often framed through stereotypes or cultural spectacle. My interest lies in portraying characters as human beings first. When someone watches a film, I want their reaction to be "I understand this person," rather than focusing solely on the background. Whether it's grief, ambition, family, or love, those emotions belong to everyone. Authenticity creates empathy, and empathy is the core of great cinema.

Q: You've experienced both Indian and American filmmaking ecosystems. How do they compare?

Sonia Bhatia: Both have strengths. India has an extraordinary storytelling tradition and a deep emotional connection to cinema. Hollywood offers structured production workflows that execute complex projects efficiently. Beyond producing independently, I've gained development experience with companies like Mandalay Pictures, Highland Film Group, Rough Diamond Productions, Hybrid Presents and WorthenBrooks. Having worked with Mumbai production houses like Excel Entertainment, my goal is to leverage these relationships to facilitate international co-productions between both industries.

Q: What advice would you offer young filmmakers aiming to study abroad?

Sonia Bhatia: Go with curiosity rather than set expectations. Film school is about learning to collaborate, accepting feedback, and discovering your voice. Remember that your cultural background is a strength; don't feel pressured to imitate existing styles. The world needs your unique perspective.

For more information: www.soniabhatiaportfolio.com