Carving one’s own path often means going against the tide. For Kritika Kamra, who took a chance with JioHotstar’s The Great Shamsuddin Family in 2025 and found both love and validation, the faith in telling smaller stories has only grown stronger.

A still from ‘The Great Shamsuddin Family’.

The film’s reception encouraged her to sign another indie project. However, despite its modest budget, the film is still struggling to find backing. The absence of a “big male star” and the presence of a first-time director, she says, have made the process difficult. Kamra shares, “It was a simple film, but it started a conversation. I got letters from girls saying that they relate with my character’s eldest daughter syndrome. And then the larger commentary, about belonging, identity, and safety resonated.” While she acknowledges the risks, Kamra refuses to be weighed down by it. “I’m seeing how my indie film currently is struggling. Industry forces just make it difficult for a new voice to come up, especially in this environment. The journey deters me from trying to produce. I don’t know if it’ll even get a release. I’m doing it because [my previous work] has emboldened my conviction in smaller stories that speak to everybody.”

Anusha Rizvi