In a world where stories often chase spectacle, Sakshi Ramnathkar stands out for her insistence on authenticity. An engineer by education and a filmmaker by instinct, the Goa-born director has shaped a voice that represents honesty and the subtle intensity of human experience. More than career, for her, cinema is the most natural way to express the thoughts and truths she carries within.
Where the Journey Began
Sakshi’s shift from engineering to film making didn’t follow a dramatic turning point. Instead, it emerged from a simple but profound realisation: stories were the only space where she felt entirely present. Film became the medium that allowed her to linger inside those moments, to expand them, and to share them with the world.
Her creative sensibilities draw from filmmakers who treat emotion and atmosphere as central characters. Luca Guadagnino’s intimate gaze, Martin Scorsese’s ability to uncover emotional depth within sprawling worlds, and David Lynch’s enigmatic strangeness have all shaped her understanding of cinema. These influences echo in her work, subtle, atmospheric, and deeply instinctive.
Crafting a Voice in Independent Cinema
Sakshi began making films in 2024 and considers herself early in her journey. Yet, her work carries the confidence of someone who knows what she wants to say. She gravitates toward drama—not out of constraint, but because it allows her to explore character-driven storytelling even with limited resources.
Her directorial style is grounded and intimate. Performances guide the emotional landscape, and the mood of each frame is crafted with care. She avoids unnecessary noise, choosing instead to let silence, small gestures, and lived-in details drive the narrative forward.
Notable Works and Recognition
Two films in particular, A Gust of Wind and Sty, have defined Sakshi’s creative voice. Both emerged from honest observations and demanded vulnerability, vision, and trust in her instincts.
Her work has earned widespread recognition across India’s film festival circuit. She has been honoured with Best Screenwriter at the Goa Short Film Festival and Best Female Director at the Waves International Film Festival Goa.
Her films have also been selected at multiple prestigious events, including the Waves Film Bazaar Viewing Room at IFFI 2025, the Waves International Short Film Festival Dehradun, the 11th Goa Short Film Festival, and the Great Message Short Film Festival.
One of her most meaningful milestones came when she was chosen as a screenwriter for Creative Minds of Tomorrow at IFFI 2025, a coveted platform for emerging talent in Indian cinema.
Inside Her Creative Process
Sakshi’s storytelling begins with small truths, moments she notices in the world around her. These fragments become seeds from which characters emerge organically, without forced complexity or excessive design.
Collaboration, for her, is built on transparency. She ensures her sets are spaces where cast and crew feel heard and valued. This sense of comfort, she believes, naturally elevates the work.
One of her toughest challenges came with Sty, a film created within an intense 60-hour time frame, shot across multiple locations, and hinged on a final reveal that had to be executed flawlessly. She navigated the pressure by holding on to the film’s emotional core and placing unwavering trust in her team, proof that precision and intuition can coexist even under extreme deadlines.
Facing the Unpredictability of Film making
Creative differences and production setbacks are inevitable in any film. Sakshi approaches them with calm pragmatism. She listens, evaluates what best serves the story, and makes choices rooted in clarity rather than panic. For her, film making is a collaborative art, one that thrives when people feel safe to share their ideas.
The Vision Ahead
Sakshi is drawn to ordinary people and the intensity that lives inside their seemingly simple lives. Her films act as mirrors, pausing on moments we tend to overlook.
Her long-term vision is bold yet grounded, to keep creating braver, larger, and more personal films. She hopes to collaborate with people who resonate with her journey and aims to expand into feature films, art-house cinema, and select advertising projects. Above all, she wants her work to remind others that artistic expression is always worth the risk.
