Sruti
about
Sruti Harihara Subramanian is a National Award–winning filmmaker and director whose work spans across feature films, documentaries, advertising films, corporate films, and music videos. A storyteller deeply immersed in her craft, she approaches cinema as both an artistic and emotional practice.
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She began her filmmaking journey with the critically acclaimed A Far Afternoon – A Painted Saga by Krishen Khanna (2015), which earned two National Film Awards—Best Art/Culture Film and Best Music in the non-feature category.
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Sruti’s filmmaking is driven by a profound sense of empathy, with the aim of creating transformative and collective cinematic experiences. Drawing from her background in Indian classical music, dance, art, and theatre, she views her work as a form of sadhana—a disciplined and immersive creative practice.
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Her approach transcends genres and is rooted in a deep sensitivity to human emotion. This sensitivity shapes the narratives she chooses to tell, allowing her films to reveal layered emotional truths. Blending international cinematic techniques with India’s cultural traditions, Sruti’s storytelling balances classical sensibilities with cinematic insight, resulting in emotionally immersive and genre-defying narratives.
statement
Director's
Films were a captivating mystery to me during my childhood. My family didn't frequent the theaters, nor were any members involved in the film world. My journey with films began in my young adult years when I started visiting the cinema with friends, viewing the world through the eyes of Indian moviegoers and enthusiasts. It was an instant love affair.
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My cinematic endeavors are fueled by personal experiences and my individual narrative style.It has been shaped by my training in classical music, dance, traditional storytelling practices, and exposure to the realms of art and culture. Additionally my various experience in front and behind the camera, including my stint as an assistant director in commercial cinema, has created a unique blend and has given me a distinctive approach not only to the stories I narrate but also to how I articulate them. As a result, my work has always transcended genres and mediums. I eagerly embrace any opportunity that allows me to bring my vision to life.
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At its essence, filmmaking is a matter of the heart for me. I delve into this realm to unravel the mysteries of the universe and the intricacies of the human psyche. My goal is to captivate audiences by resonating with their emotions, forging empathetic connections through shared human experiences. Through my narratives, I aspire to touch the hearts of diverse audiences, employing rasa, the universal language of emotion and experience.
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Stories abound in our surroundings; they are ingrained in our existence. As a filmmaker, I have a duty . This duty entails revealing life's truths through stories that demand to be told—stories hidden in plain sight. With an open mind and an unwavering commitment to improvement, I view it as my obligation as a filmmaker to unveil the concealed, the overlooked, and the unheard, thereby enriching our collective understanding and communal consciousness.
