Lifestyle Film - A Story of Bonds, Joy, and Pure Emotions
Creating a semi-documentary film for Keerthana Shankar and her two wonderful children, Thanvii and Sadhvii, has been an unforgettable journey—one that is as close to my heart as the final product itself.
From the moment I stepped into their home, I knew this project wasn’t going to be just another film. It was a personal challenge—a deep dive into their everyday lives to capture not just smiles but the unspoken warmth of their family bond. For me, this was more than a job; it was about storytelling, authenticity, and creating memories that will live forever.
Building Bonds Beyond the Lens
The biggest hurdle in any family documentary is to make the subjects feel natural. Thanvii and Sadhvii, being young, initially hesitated around the camera, unsure of what to make of it all. To break the ice, I spent time simply being their friend—playing their favorite games, listening to their little stories, and joining in their laughter. I didn’t want them to “pose” for the camera. Instead, I wanted them to forget its presence entirely.
What I ended up with were moments that truly mattered: Thanvii’s bursts of laughter while playing with her toys, Sadhvii’s quiet curiosity as she observed the world around her, and the spontaneous giggles that only a mother’s warmth can bring out.
The Creative Process
I approached this project with the mindset of a storyteller. Each frame had to tell something—whether it was the way Keerthana braided her daughters’ hair or how the three of them huddled on the couch for storytime. The process wasn’t just about capturing visuals; it was about weaving these moments into a narrative that would evoke emotions.
The final film is not just a series of clips but a poetic representation of love, care, and family. Watching Keerthana’s reaction to the completed film was a reward in itself—tears of joy and heartfelt gratitude, knowing I had done justice to her family’s story.
The Inspiration Behind It All
For the longest time, I’ve been in awe of creators like @mani_Jegan, @video_tape, and @films_by_mani. Their ability to see beyond the surface and portray the soul of a moment is something I’ve always aspired to. This project felt like my own version of what Karthik Subbaraj must have experienced directing Petta—a chance to live a creative dream inspired by those I deeply admire.
Lessons Learned
Every project teaches you something new, but this one was a masterclass in patience, trust, and storytelling. One key takeaway was realizing the value of writing a basic structure or script beforehand. Having a framework could make the process smoother and potentially create a more polished, “hit” video. However, deep down, my heart leans toward letting every story unfold naturally—unscripted and raw.
I believe that documenting the unexpected rather than the expected is what keeps these stories straight and true to the heart of the family. Life’s most beautiful moments are often the unplanned ones—the spontaneous laughter, the glances that say a thousand words, the magic that happens in the everyday.
For me, the essence of these films lies in their authenticity. A script might help shape a narrative, but the soul of the story comes alive in the unscripted moments that families cherish forever. Balancing these two approaches will be a continuous journey, but my commitment to capturing heartfelt, personal stories remains unwavering.
The Art of Adding Captions: Bridging Cultures and Emotions
One of the most thoughtful aspects of this project was the addition of captions—a process that required as much creativity and care as filming itself. The original conversations, playful banter, and heartfelt expressions in the video were all in Tamil, a language rich in emotion and nuance. To ensure that the essence of these moments reached a wider audience, I took the extra step of transcribing the dialogues from Tamil to English manually.
This wasn’t just about translation; it was about preserving the soul of each line. I began by jotting down the original Tamil dialogues on paper, understanding the deeper meaning, and then carefully crafting the English captions to ensure the emotions stayed intact. The goal was to make the captions feel as natural and heartfelt as the original language.
Even without captions, the film has a universal language of its own—expressed through laughter, smiles, and tender moments. But to connect with a broader audience and make the story accessible to everyone, the captions became an integral part of the project.
Captions, when done right, are more than just text on a screen—they’re a bridge that connects people from different languages and cultures to the same emotions. For me, this process was as rewarding as the filming itself, knowing that every viewer could resonate with the story, no matter where they came from.
This approach reflects my belief in making stories universal while staying true to their roots. It’s a balance of authenticity and accessibility, ensuring that the beauty of the original language shines through while reaching hearts beyond linguistic barriers.
If you value meaningful storytelling that speaks to everyone while staying rooted in its cultural essence, let’s create a project together.
A Call to New Stories
This project has ignited a new passion in me. I want to tell more stories like this—stories of families, love, and connection. If you’re someone who values capturing the beauty of your life as it unfolds naturally, let’s work together.
Let’s create a film that feels like you. A story that will be cherished for generations.
Find this and more heartfelt projects on my Behance profile, and let’s begin your family’s story today.
Creator’s Note
As a storyteller, my ultimate goal is to capture the raw, unfiltered beauty of life’s most precious moments. This project, documenting the lives of Keerthana Shankar and her two wonderful kids, was not just about creating a film—it was about preserving memories that will forever be etched in their hearts.
Through this journey, I’ve learned that every family has a unique rhythm, a language of love that’s spoken in glances, laughter, and even silence. My approach is to immerse myself in their world, earning trust and blending into the background so that I can document life as it unfolds, naturally and authentically.
While the idea of using a script or structure is tempting for achieving a polished narrative, I’ve realized that the real magic lies in embracing the unexpected. It’s in these unscripted moments that the most heartfelt stories emerge—stories that resonate not just with the family but with anyone who watches them.
Adding captions to the project was another deeply personal aspect for me. It’s a way to bridge cultures and emotions, allowing the story to reach a wider audience while staying true to its roots. This meticulous process of translating Tamil to English, line by line, ensured that the emotions carried through, making the film accessible to all without losing its essence.
To everyone who views this film, I hope it inspires you to see the extraordinary beauty in everyday life. And to families who wish to preserve their stories, let’s create something timeless together—a piece of your life that you’ll treasure forever.
This project is a piece of my heart, and I can’t wait to take on more stories like this, one family at a time.
