Shreya Patel is a dynamic force whose journey is marked by several fields including - modeling, international speaking for mental health awareness , acting, and filmmaking. Her movie ‘Unibrow’ was recently selected under the short film category at many award functions, cementing Shreya’s position in the world of entertainment and storytelling . In a recent interview with us, Shreya Patel shared insights into her influences, creative process, and the evolution of the film industry.
In our conversation, Shreya, an Indo-Candaian artist, noted how her global experiences have shaped her perspective as a filmmaker . "From the age of six, I knew I wanted to be in the world of fashion . My journey, which included walking over 600 runways across Asia, the Middle East, and North America, intersected with profound realizations, especially while volunteering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation," she said.
These experiences fueled her desire to amplify unheard voices through filmmaking, leading to the creation of her production company. “My experiences in fashion and filmmaking have taught me to dream big, take risks, and create work that resonates and uplifts others. Being a global citizen, I’ve learned to embrace diversity and enrich my life experiences, which is reflected in my films.
While the road was challenging, it was filled with lessons that enriched my storytelling and fueled my passion for creating impactful content,” she added. When asked about how she keeps her storytelling fresh, she emphasized the importance of drawing from personal experiences. we draw heavily from relatable experiences and our own lives to keep our storytelling fresh and engaging.
Rabiya (Rabia Mansoor, her business partner) and I are tired of seeing Hollywood portray South Asian women primarily as supporting characters or as doctors and engineers. We are more than just two-dimensional stereotypes, and we strive to tell stories that reflect that." she explained.
On the topic of writer's block and creative challenges, Shreya shared her approach to overcoming these obstacles. "Sometimes my writer's blocks come with burnout, and the best way to handle those is by spending time in nature or with folks close to me to ground myself. I have to remind myself that rest is productive and in turn generative.
With writer's block, it's also often helpful to take breaks and return to work with a fresh mind. For creative challenges during the filmmaking process, I have learned to think on my feet while multitasking. I am naturally a solution-oriented person so handling challenges on set with a calm mind comes naturally to me," she noted.
Exclusive: Daniel Caltagirone On Thangalaan, Breaking Stereotypes And The Future of Indian Cinema Last but not least, Shreya reflected on the changes she witnessed in the film sector from the day she started her journey to the present times. “The film industry has changed significantly since I started. With the rise of virtual tools, I can now travel more freely and conduct writer’s rooms over Zoom.
I have also directed multiple projects via Zoom, which was unthinkable when I began. Additionally, the power of phone cameras has revolutionized filmmaking. Today, anyone can create content with a smartphone, whereas when I started, I had to learn how to shoot on a large film camera.
Back then, everything was just beginning to go digital,” she concluded. Currently, Shreya Patel is working on a comedy series titled ‘Layla is Relevant’ and is also writing a film about trafficking while continuing to produce various projects under her company..
