3.47-Filmmaker Interview with Radha Mehta

Send us Fan MailIn today's episode, I interview Radha Mehta, who co-directed the short film "Witness" with Saif Jaan. The film tells the story of an Imam of a small town mosque who is faced with choosing between upholding the values of his mosque or protecting the safety and spiritual belonging of a trans man congregant.Listen to hear about the story's basis in Saif Jaan's real experience, how difficult it was to find a working mosque willing to allow a story about a trans character to be filmed inside, and what it's like to land your ideal casting for an important role in a film.Books mentioned in this episode include:Six Days in Bombay by Alka JoshiFilms and TV shows mentioned in this episode include:"Witness" directed by Radha Mehta and Saif JaanAn Act of Worship directed by Nausheen DadabhoyIron Man directed by Jon FavreauAbout Elly directed by Asghar FarhadiA Separation directed by Asghar FarhadiSalaam Bombay! directed by Mira NairClose directed by Lukas DhontVision Quest (upcoming series)A Real Pain directed by Jesse EisenbergOne of a Kind (Wakhri) directed by Iram Parveen Bilal"Dosh" directed by Radha MehtaFollow Radha on Instagram @radhamehta and the film @witness.shortfilmbe sure to check out the film at the 2025 Raindance Film Festival in London this June.Support the show