Amidst the chaos of a mehendi ceremony, a soon-to-be bride Priya and her wedding videographer Raj are accidentally locked inside a room, cut off from the noise and expectations outside. Priya's disappearance leads to panic and confusion, turning the celebration into ultimate chaos. Inside the room, however, time slows. In this unexpected moment, Priya confesses to receiving a job offer which she might not be able to take leading to an emotional breakdown. Priya confronts the doubts she has been suppressing while Raj, who is unsure of how to respond, eventually questions her thinking. For the first time, Priya feels heard without being judged while Raj begins to find quiet validation in simply being present. There is a contrast between the chaos outside and the intimacy within . When the door eventually opens, nothing outside has changed, but Priya and Raj have. Priya finds the courage to accept the life she wants. The empowerment lies not in a grand decision, but in awareness, acceptance, and the courage to embrace imperfection. 

Aarushi Shrivastav: I was raised in India, in a culture where women are often taught to silence their voices, hide their discomfort, and soften their opinions. From a young age, we are trained to fit in, to sacrifice, to master domesticity, and to put others before ourselves. While many women accept or even embrace these roles, there is a hidden cost in learning to live a life where everyone else’s needs come first.

At the same time, I have seen women around me rise and redefine strength. My mother is the main earning member in our family, and many of my friends’ mothers work and provide too. Yet even among such strong examples, I have seen dreams fade before they begin. These women settle and sacrifice because they have been conditioned not to question why.

I have felt this myself with the constant scrutiny, the judgment for how I dress, how I speak, or the fact that I don’t know how to cook or make chai. It is often passed off as humor, but it reinforces the same idea that women must behave a certain way. Mehendi is my way of questioning that very idea.

As a South Asian filmmaker, I’m deeply committed to uplifting AAPI voices and expanding how our stories are seen in the mainstream. Representation matters not just for visibility, but for truth. This feels especially urgent for women, whose stories have too often been overlooked, simplified, or told by others. I aim to breakthrough the barriers that have often held back AAPI filmmakers and make the space with the beautiful story of Mehendi.

We make every dollar go a long way as an incredibly resourceful team. We have completed our main production schedule with the help of limited grant money. With one remaining pick-up shoot left to see the film to the finish line, we now need your help!!!

A MINIMUM OF $8500.00 USD will allow us to complete production, pay professionals & our talent, and cover costs in post-production.

A stretch goal of $10,000.00 USD will help cover submission costs to over 100+ festivals & give us enough funds for marketing & distribution.

Our goals are to complete Mehendi by mid June 2026, after which we will promptly enter our precious film into the larger festival circuit. We intend to submit for prestigious festivals in 2026 & 2027 including Tribeca, Palm Springs, Athena Film Festival, IFFLA, Tasveer, & the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF). Through exposure at a combination of larger, regional, and niche festivals alongside private screenings within the community, our team aims to spark conversation around South Asian women’s autonomy and selfhood and connect the film with audiences who rarely see these intimate, culturally specific stories treated with grounded humor, care, and emotional honesty.

Community support in any capacity is appreciated! Here are some other ways you can help us out:

PLEDGE to our campaign–every contribution, no matter the size, gets us closer to creating something meaningful and memorable.

SHARE & FOLLOW our Seed&Spark page–by hitting the little blue heart button at the top right of the page, you help us get closer to accessing things like film festival waivers, production gear, creator discounts and so much more! It's also a great way to get updates on the film along the way!

FOLLOW US on Instagram @mehendi_film to stay connected and join our growing community!

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I’m so excited to support @Mehendi_Film, a beautiful story about love, tradition, and self-determination. Join @aarushi140_ in bringing this story to life. Support now on @seedandspark: seedandspark.com/fund/mehendifilm

I just pledged to @Mehendi_Film, a powerful exploration of love, tradition, and self-determination. Please consider supporting and sharing: seedandspark.com/fund/mehendifilm

@Mehendi_Film is a story for anyone who has ever the quiet struggle with tradition, told with lots of love, honesty, and care. This story is long overdue and needs your support: seedandspark.com/fund/mehendifilm

@Mehendi_Film is a beautifully honest film about love, tradition, and self-determination. Support now: seedandspark.com/fund/mehendifilm

THANK YOU!!!