Main Aap Hoon by Rishi Nair

Main Aap Hoon is a social satire born out of close observation. I have always been drawn to the small contradictions and everyday hypocrisies that shape our behaviour. The film began as an impulse, sparked by these unnoticed moments that quietly define our surroundings. What started as a spontaneous idea quickly turned into a story that holds up a mirror to the audience, showing the world exactly as it is.

The production itself was equally spontaneous. With festival deadlines approaching fast, we had limited time, a minimal budget and only a few hours to shoot. This pushed us to rely on natural light, real locations and unscripted moments. Our core cast consisted of Jemil Vaghela in the lead and Mahi Trivedi in a key supporting role, with a small cameo from me. Despite being debut performers, both actors delivered with remarkable intuition, often nailing scenes in a single take.

The film evolved significantly from its original form. It began as a darker, more edgy concept, but with valuable inputs from our assistant director, Sanskriti, we shaped it into a cleaner and more balanced satire. We let research guide us but also allowed spontaneity and real-world interactions to lead the way. In the end, the film turned out more grounded and impactful than the version we first envisioned.

Main Aap Hoon is aimed at teens, young adults and anyone who recognises themselves in the everyday behaviours it reflects. Its unique narrative choice of giving the protagonist no name reinforces the idea that he represents all of us.

I am excited about my upcoming film HASA, which builds on the observational storytelling of Main Aap Hoon while taking a bold step into more nuanced social commentary. More on that soon.

Other than that , I am grateful to the 14th Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival 2025 for providing filmmakers like us a platform to share stories that question, provoke and resonate.