Meet Dwiti Rao | Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dwiti Rao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dwiti, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success has been adaptability paired with a commitment to continuous learning. Coming from a performance background, I’ve learned to translate movement, rhythm, and storytelling into visual language on set, shaping how actors move, scenes flow, and emotions land. Navigating different industries and cultures has sharpened my perspective, allowing me to lead projects with clarity while maintaining sensitivity to collaborators. This combination of discipline, cross-cultural experience, and performance-driven methodology enables me to create films that feel both emotionally grounded and visually compelling, resonating with audiences and fellow filmmakers alike.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a Writer-Director, my work explores the intersection of movement, psychology, and emotionally grounded storytelling. With a foundation in Kathak and experience working on Bollywood productions, I bring a performance-driven approach to cinema- shaping rhythm, spatial dynamics, and actor movement to deepen narrative impact. My short films reflect distinct thematic explorations: IN HER WAKE examines psychological entrapment through a surreal looping classroom, blending visual experimentation with performance-driven tension.
LOVE & LASAGNA is an intimate character study unfolding over a quiet birthday lunch charged with unspoken trauma.
IN CHARACTER/OUT OF HEART explores the fragile boundary between performance and truth as two actors rehearse a period drama that mirrors their own emotional unraveling.
WHISPERS & ROARS follows a young woman confronting betrayal and inner turmoil, using intimate visual language to externalize her psychological state.
Across these projects, my work is defined by emotional precision, disciplined craft, and cross-cultural storytelling shaped by both classical training and hands-on experience in major film productions. I am committed to creating cinema that feels intimate, cinematic, and deeply human- where movement and emotion become narrative tools.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Having grown up in Mumbai- a coastal city shaped by its beaches- I’ve always felt at home by the ocean, which is why I absolutely love the beaches here in California; so if a friend were visiting LA, that’s exactly where I’d take them first. Then we’d go with the classics: a hike up Griffith Park for the city views, a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and an afternoon exploring the Getty Center for art and architecture. For food, I’d hit Grand Central Market for tacos and ramen, try a rooftop brunch in Downtown LA, and cap evenings with cocktails in cozy speakeasies or live music venues in Echo Park. We’d wander through street art in the Arts District, catch an indie film screening or experimental performance, and maybe even take a dance or movement workshop – because for me, experiencing LA is about seeing, moving, and feeling the city in every way. The week would be a mix of sights, flavors, and creative energy, showing off both LA’s iconic landmarks and the vibrant, eclectic communities that make it truly unique.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my life to have amazing mentors who have guided me with generosity and rigor, constantly pushing me to grow both creatively and professionally. My Kathak teacher has taught me discipline and storytelling through movement, and my professors at UCLA provided invaluable guidance on cinematic storytelling and craft. Directors, crew, and actors on set have continually pushed me to refine my skills and embrace creative risk. I’m also deeply grateful to my parents, who embody a balance of practicality and emotion, knowledge and wisdom- their steady support and perspective have grounded me through every step of this journey. Every project I’ve worked on carries a piece of their influence, and I’m grateful for their support, insight, and encouragement.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwiti.rao/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/dwiti-rao-772543247

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@dwitirao

Other: https://imdb.me/dwiti.rao