Pantry of Memories is a short film, about a chef Arya, going through an emotional journey to rediscover her lost passion. Filmed in Wellington, New Zealand, this film is jointly produced by Little Lizard Productions and Akiatta Productions.

Arya, an experienced chef, has lost her drive & passion for food. Struggling to find emotional balance, one day she stumbles upon an eccentric musician with whom she talks about music, food, and its connection with memories, inspiring her to see things in a new light.

With this new perspective, Arya recollects and interacts with a memory of her father that has been haunting her for some time. Revisiting some of the long-forgotten moments, she finds comfort in being able to vent out her pent-up emotions.

Finding closure and balance, Arya manages to summon the strength to break away from the monotony and make her way toward a new beginning.

As a child, I have always been fascinated by stories. Each story I have listened to is a memory that I hold dearly. One such memory is the first time I watched a professional play, a production of Twelfth Night. From that day, one specific visual is etched into my mind. It was the moment when the lead, Viola reveals that she is a woman. The production had no fans or any sort of special effects there but for a split second, I felt that scene appeared as if her hair was waving in a blowing wind, with an aura surrounding the actor, as if some sort of magic effect was taking place.

That is what I strive to recreate in all my works. Create a moment where regardless of how the narrative unfolds, the audience can fully immerse themselves into the narrative, as if they are witnessing it in person. And I have always believed that films are the best way to achieve this. This began with one of the first films I saw, a Tamil film called Vaaranam Aayiram. I saw this movie as a 10-year-old kid, with no expectations. By the time I finished the film, I had changed as a person, walking away with a new perspective on life. The impact that film had on me is still prevalent in the way I lead my life. I strive to leave such a profound impact on people who are watching my work.

Within my pursuit of this medium, I intended for all my films to explore human nature, delving into what makes us, why we do the things we do, and a lot more. One of those explorations is this story about Arya. Exploring the psyche of a broken individual, seeing them find the strength to confront their demons and try to get closure. Something that is relatable to everyone.

Working as a deep dive into the physique of this character, one very important task was to ensure that the audience can relate to the bonding between Arya and her father as this bond is the foundation upon which this narrative is built. And I believe we have accomplished that by filling their interaction with a personal touch, basing it on my dynamic with my father when our relationship was in its best place.

Arya’s arc is one akin to the peeling layers of an onion. With every passing moment on screen, the layers are peeled back, revealing the person within. This in my opinion is one of the strongest points of the film, allowing everyone to put themselves in the shoes of Arya, experiencing the emotional journey along with her.

The conception of the script came from a point of self-discovery. For years, I have found the animated film, “Ratatouille” as an inspiring piece of work. I was especially intrigued by how the narrative of that film used food as a medium to talk about passion, destiny, and talent. With that as an inspiration, I wanted to explore the themes presented in that film, exploring how we associated food with memories.

I am also looking forward to integrating a musical style of filmmaking for this movie, going with an approach that I have seen in the movies I have grown up with. Built around a very ethnically rooted story, this film also allows me to depict my experiences and share my perspective as a South Indian individual.

The story of Arya is my story. And it is everyone’s story. I believe with all my heart that this is a story that needs to be told, for all the people haunted by their inner demons. That is the driving force behind this film, and I intend to put my utmost to say it in the best manner possible.