These cast featurettes offer a glimpse into our intention to encourage conversations about caste through the film, as well as our ideas for future video collaborations with nonprofits and experts.
Our goal is to deliver high-quality production and meaningful storytelling while fostering a deeper understanding of caste-related issues and promoting dialogue that leads to positive change.
JĀTI is currently in pre-production. Filming not yet begun.
Bala discusses the film's exploration of caste discrimination within society. He describes his character as a village leader and politician, deeply entrenched in traditional caste hierarchies, whose authority is challenged when his daughter, Amulya, falls in love with a man from a lower caste.
The conflict centers on Sampath's struggle with the perceived threat to his prestige, cultural values, and family honor.
Bala emphasizes Jāti's critique of how caste—originally rooted in cultural and philosophical values—has been distorted into a tool for discrimination.
Sangeeta discusses her role as Vani and how she is portrayed as a deeply conflicted character, torn between her traditional upbringing, societal expectations, and her daughter's choices in the U.S., which could impact their family's reputation in their home village.
She highlights the importance of storytelling in addressing societal issues and praises the director's passion for tackling these themes through cinema, noting the medium's power to reach and resonate with audiences on a profound level.
Shavya discusses her character's journey as she seeks her family's approval to marry her boyfriend. Despite being a strong, independent woman, Amulya is constrained by societal and familial expectations rooted in caste and tradition. The film delves into casteism, not only in Amulya's life but also as a broader, relatable theme.
Shavya reflects on how casteism persists globally, including in America, and acknowledges her own biases shaped by societal conditioning.
She shares how storytelling fosters empathy, allowing audiences to connect with characters like Amulya and root for their love story in a deeply human way.
Shiva discusses his role as a man from a lower-caste community who moved to the United States. He highlights how the film aims to engage the audience by portraying real-life caste discrimination issues, reflecting the ongoing realities in India, where lower-caste individuals still face significant societal barriers.
He believes the film's drama, visuals, and sound will have a stronger impact on conveying these issues than a documentary would.