Yakshi director Aishwarya Sonar: ‘Film unites LA, Mumbai, and Kerala’s cinematic

For producer Aishwarya Sonar, Yakshi is special for two reasons. The short film not only belongs to the horror genre, something that she believes hasn’t got its due, but also brings together two unlikely artistes — Malayalam star Anna Ben of Kumbalangi Nights (2019) fame, and Hindi film actor Babil Khan. 

“This film united three cinematic worlds — Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Kerala. This cross-industry collaboration has become possible because actors are more willing than ever to take creative adventures beyond traditional borders. We are telling a story that speaks to a global audience while staying deeply rooted in the culture it comes from,” says Sonar, who shuttles between the US and India.

With director Karan Sunil, Sonar began working on Yakshi in 2023. She says that the short film is inspired by stories that Karan heard from his grandmother. “When Karan said to me, ‘Let’s make a horror short in Kerala,’ it was an instant yes. I’ve always felt horror is one of the most underutilised genres. It’s a powerful tool to tell compelling stories and reflect on the world we live in. At the heart of my work is a deep desire to bridge the creative space between India and the US, and Yakshi sits right at that intersection.” Sonar adds that in October 2024, the project received the Narrative Short Film Grant from the Tasveer Film Festival, which aims to uplift South Asian filmmakers.

While she readies Yakshi for release, the producer is simultaneously developing her next with Lion (2016) actor Priyanka Bose. “I actively seek out stories that are centred on and created by women,” she states.

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Aishwarya Sonar

Aishwarya Sonar is also teaming up with Academy Award winner Guneet Monga for ‘The Trucker’, a feature film starring Suvinder Vicky of ‘Kohrra’ (2023) fame and directed by Ben Rekhi.