Before the films, the festivals, and the Oscar buzz, who was Krushan Naik? In this episode of Chai with Champs, Krushan takes us inside his journey, from arriving in the U.S. with no safety net, to creating Anuja, a short film that became Oscar-qualified for Best Live Action Short Film.We unpack the 3-year strategy that took Anuja to international recognition, the unspoken rules of visibility in Hollywood, and how filmmakers land on the radar of names like Mindy Kaling and Priyanka Chopra. Chai with Champs is the Center Stage for South Asian Cinema Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaiwithchamps/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RitikaAgrawalll

[00:00] Welcome to the Episode[01:09] Who is Krushan Naik?[05:45] Walking Away from Stability: From Ad Agency in India to Film in the U.S.[24:00] How His Debut Film Took Over Festivals for 3 Years[32:14] The Ultimate Guide to Submitting Your Film to Festivals
[37:00] The Oscars Blueprint: How to Get Your Film Qualified
[49:15] When Mindy Kaling & Priyanka Chopra Backed Anuja
[55:00] Funding, Marketing & Distribution | How Indie Filmmakers Actually Do It
[1:02:16] Spill the Chai | Chai with Champs’ Rapid Fire
[1:06:30] Advice to His Younger Self & The Legacy He Wants to Leave
[1:12:00] How to Bring South Asian Cinema to the Global Stage