From Hyderabad to Hollywood: Santhosh Ram Mavuri’s Insipiring Global Filmmaking Journey

Interview with Santhosh Ram Mavuri - Indie Shorts Mag

Santhosh Ram Mavuri’s journey from Hyderabad to Los Angeles is a compelling narrative of passion, dedication, and the pursuit of global storytelling. From his early success with the short film Yellow to his award-winning thesis project Weave of Culture, Santhosh has carved a unique path in the film industry. His experiences studying at the New York Film Academy and the Satyanand Acting Institute have shaped his approach to filmmaking, blending the richness of Indian and American cultures. In this exclusive interview, Santhosh shares insights into his creative process, the challenges and rewards of his journey, and his advice for aspiring filmmakers looking to make their mark on the international scene.


Indie Shorts Mag: Can you tell our readers a bit about your journey from India to Los Angeles? What inspired you to pursue filmmaking internationally?

Santhosh Ram Mavuri: Los Angeles, the land of Hollywood, has been a dream destination for me since a young age when I decided to pursue a career in cinema. After completing my Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Marketing in Bangalore, India, I directed a short film called Yellow, which garnered 400k views on YouTube. This success boosted my confidence and reinforced my decision to pursue filmmaking.

Around the same time, SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali broke barriers across India, proving that Indian cinema had the potential to go global. I realized that if Indian cinema was heading toward international recognition, there was no better place than LA to immerse myself in the world of cinema.

I chose to pursue my master’s degree in Los Angeles, knowing it would provide the opportunity to understand the workings of the global film industry and adapt to different markets. My journey at the New York Film Academy has been transformative, thanks to brilliant mentors and collaborative peers who helped me refine my skills and deepen my understanding of the craft.

Indie Shorts Mag: Your first short film, ‘Yellow’, was released in 2018. How did this debut project shape your career and what lessons did you learn from it?

Santhosh Ram Mavuri: I wrote Yellow during my bachelor’s college days as a way to relieve stress and take my mind off exams. While working on the script, I realized it had the potential to be more than just a creative outlet,it could be a feature film. Since I had never written a script before, I self taught myself through YouTube videos and MasterClass to refine the story and structure.

With the script ready, I traveled to Hyderabad, connected with friends of friends, and assembled a small cast and crew. We shot the entire film in just 14 days with a team of three people. I later sold the film to a YouTube channel, where it garnered over 400k views an encouraging achievement for a debut director, especially with a 30 minute long short film.

The entire process of making Yellow was an incredible learning experience. Every day on set, I implemented what I had read or studied, turning it into a hands-on filmmaking education. While I wouldn’t change the film itself, I’d love the opportunity to expand it into a feature and create an even better version in the future.

Indie Shorts Mag: You have a unique educational background with an acting diploma from the Satyanand Acting Institute and a Master in Fine Arts from the New York Film Academy. How have these experiences influenced your approach to filmmaking?

Santhosh Ram Mavuri: When I first aspired to join the industry, I wanted to be an actor. I had admired Satyanand Garu’s brilliance since childhood, knowing that many of his students, like Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh Babu, and Prabhas, went on to become superstars. However, as my passion shifted toward directing, I realized the importance of understanding acting to effectively guide performances on set.

I knew that a director must have the ability to step into an actor’s shoes to truly bring out their best. With this in mind, I approached Satyanand Garu’s Acting School. He conducted a 30-minute interview, explaining how challenging and unconventional this path could be. Despite his initial reservations, I was determined, and he accepted me.

During the three months of rigorous training, Satyanand Sir not only helped me hone my understanding of acting but also shaped me as a director capable of bringing out the best in my actors. It was an honor to have Satyanand Sir himself act in my film Weave of Culture. His presence brought depth to the story and was a fitting tribute to the training and guidance he had given me. I’m forever grateful for the pivotal role he’s played in my journey.

Scene from Santhosh Ram Mavuri’s Weave of Culture

Indie Shorts Mag: Your thesis project, ‘Weave of Culture’, has gained immense success. Can you share some insights about the film and the importance of the story it tells?

Santhosh Ram Mavuri: The idea for Weave of Culture began nearly a decade ago during a shopping trip with my cousins to Kanchipuram. While interacting with local weavers, my cousins asked them about their craft and whether they intended to pass it on to the next generation. To my surprise, they bluntly said no. They explained that weaving wasn’t paying well enough and that they’d rather encourage their children to pursue IT jobs for a better city life. That conversation stayed with me, sparking a deep concern about the decline of handloom traditions and the need to revive and empower these artisans to see themselves as entrepreneurs.

When I gained the skills and confidence to direct, I returned to India to create Weave of Culture as my thesis project. The overwhelming response it has received in the US, India, and beyond has been humbling. Viewers have shared their personal experiences with handlooms and cultural traditions, making me realize how deeply the film resonates with audiences. Seeing Weave of Culture spark meaningful conversations about preserving heritage and empowering artisans has been a true blessing

Indie Shorts Mag: ‘Weave of Culture’ was shot in minor clusters of weaving communities in Andhra Pradesh. What were some of the challenges and rewards of filming in these locations?

Santhosh Ram Mavuri: As Weave of Culture was my thesis project, I handled all the pre production in Los Angeles, which posed significant challenges. Coordinating with a crew in India across different time zones meant countless sleepless nights on calls to ensure everything was on track. I’m incredibly grateful to Daniel Sanchez Lopez, the DOP of Mahanati, who responded to my DMs and helped me assemble the right crew. My cousin also stepped in to connect me with a line producer, and with that, the project began to take shape.

For the cast, I chose my childhood friend Eshwar for the lead role and my acting mentor, Satyanand Garu, to play his father. Once I landed in India, we conducted extensive location scouting across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. A local weaver, who also happened to be an actor, became instrumental in helping us find the perfect locations.

The weavers played a pivotal role in authenticating the film. They helped with costumes, trained the actors to work on the loom, sourced props, and guided us to the right locations. Their expertise and involvement brought a unique realism to the project. Unknowingly, they became an extended crew and family, offering unwavering support throughout the process. The production went smoothly, thanks to their generosity, with many offering their homes as shooting locations and acting as background performers. I’m deeply indebted to them for making this project a reality and helping bring the vision of Weave of Culture to life.

Indie Shorts Mag: You’ve won multiple awards for ‘Weave of Culture’. How has this recognition impacted your career and future projects?

Santhosh Ram Mavuri: Weave of Culture has become my calling card to pitch unique ideas for feature films. Producers and film enthusiasts who have watched the movie or its trailer recognize the potential for it to be expanded into a feature, while also expressing interest in exploring new ideas with me.

As the film approaches the end of its festival circuit, we’re now exploring distribution opportunities. This phase of my journey has been incredibly rewarding—I’ve had the chance to attend festivals, meet talented filmmakers, network, and discuss future projects. These experiences are not only pushing me to work harder but also opening new doors for potential collaborations. It’s an exciting time in my career, and I’m grateful for the opportunities Weave of Culture continues to bring

Indie Shorts Mag: How do you balance your roles as a director, writer, and actor? Do you approach each role differently or do they inform each other?

Santhosh Ram Mavuri: It’s a balance of both. While I haven’t directed and acted simultaneously, I approach both disciplines with distinct mindsets. I firmly believe that a director must understand writing and acting. This knowledge allows a director to step into the shoes of the actors and collaborate more effectively, whether with others or even oneself. It enhances the overall filmmaking process and ultimately elevates the cinematic experience

Indie Shorts Mag: You’ve lived and worked in both India and the US. How have these different environments influenced your storytelling and filmmaking techniques?

Santhosh Ram Mavuri: Living in both India and the US has made my thinking and working style adaptable to different environments, allowing me to draw the best aspects from both industries. Each movie I approach has its own unique process, and I believe that’s what sets me apart as a filmmaker. I aim to infuse my stories with the richness of both cultures, sometimes incorporating them directly into the narrative and other times through the way I make the film. This blend of two distinct worlds adds a unique dimension to the movies I want to create

Indie Shorts Mag: What advice would you give to aspiring filmmakers looking to break into the international film scene?

Santhosh Ram Mavuri: Attend film festivals, network, and building your profile and audience base for your films. You never know where your audience might be—what may feel routine in your home country could be considered exotic elsewhere. If you have the means, consideppp in a city you love, whether through a short course or a degree. It can significantly alter your thought process and broaden your perspective, helping you grow as a filmmaker

Indie Shorts Mag: Can you give us a sneak peek into your upcoming projects? What themes or issues are you looking to explore next?

Santhosh Ram Mavuri: I have a few short films that serve as proof of concept for upcoming projects. One of them, #4Chella, is an impromptu short filmed at Coachella, exploring the experience of getting lost in a huge crowd, navigating friendships, and finding oneself. Another project, Bloody Mary, is a vampire thriller that delves into themes of adultery and marital relationships. Additionally, the writing for my feature film Weave of Culture is in progress, while I’m also pitching these other films. 


As Santhosh Ram Mavuri continues to explore new themes and narratives, his journey serves as an inspiration for filmmakers worldwide. His ability to adapt to different environments and infuse his stories with a blend of cultures sets him apart in the industry. With upcoming projects like #4Chella and Bloody Mary, along with the feature film expansion of Weave of Culture, Santhosh is poised to make a significant impact on the global film scene. His advice to aspiring filmmakers—to attend festivals, network, and build an audience—underscores the importance of community and collaboration in achieving international success. Santhosh’s story is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and the pursuit of authentic storytelling.

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