Meet Kartik Dhawan

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kartik Dhawan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kartik, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

If we go back to the very beginning, I think a lot of my resilience comes from how I was raised — I was encouraged to figure things out on my own, even when it wasn’t comfortable. Sometimes that encouragement was deliberate and sometimes it was out of compulsion from the situation. I learnt to adapt early, dealing with limited resources; which helped me in becoming self-reliant always.

Growing up, that mindset shifted towards the profession & passion aspect of my life as well. Some of my biggest lessons came from things that didn’t work out the first time. I didn’t get the job that paid well the first time, it took real effort and patience. I didn’t get comfortable with me being multi passionate early on; but with courage & showing up consistently, i developed resilience over time. I have been a painter, writer, photographer, reader, engineer, designer and I have failed multiple times in being the best at any of these. Now, the story is a little difference. Being a film-maker and a full time engineer required navigating through ambiguous requirements of me. It helped me build that resilient mindset.

My resilience comes from being genuinely curious. When something doesn’t work, I don’t see it as a wall — I see it as a puzzle.

My resilience comes from trying to keep perspective. I remind myself why I started — the bigger picture helps me move through tough moments.

My resilience comes from learning to be okay with uncertainty — spending time alone, reflecting, and realigning my thoughts helps me handle challenges calmly.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Kartik — an engineer by profession, and a filmmaker, photographer, and designer by passion. Over time, I’ve learned to merge both worlds — the precision of engineering and the emotion of storytelling — to create meaningful digital experiences for people.

Since my last feature with Canvas Rebel, I’ve started shaping a clearer identity for my brand and the kind of work I want to put out. I create digital experiences — whether that’s capturing someone’s wedding, documenting a personal milestone, or helping a brand tell its story in a way that feels honest and human. My focus is on creating work that feels personal — something that connects with emotion rather than just visuals.

Right now, this venture is entirely artistic — it’s driven more by heart than profit. I’m in that exciting stage where I’m experimenting, refining my craft, and finding my people — collaborators who are equally curious, ambitious, and authentic in what they create.

I travel often, and much of my inspiration comes from the road — from stories shared by strangers, fleeting conversations, and the quiet in-between moments. In the next few years, I want to keep building this space where art, emotion, and digital craft meet — independently, and with others who see beauty in the ordinary.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I think the three most impactful qualities in my journey weren’t things I learned from a course — they were ways of seeing the world that have always been a part of me.

First, being multipassionate. I’ve always had this urge to create everything on my own — from designing and coding websites to writing scripts, shooting short films, painting, or even composing music. Constantly experimenting across mediums taught me how different forms of art connect. Every new skill fed the other. That curiosity became my biggest strength.

Second, consistency. Even when results weren’t immediate, I kept showing up. Whether it was editing videos late at night or rewriting something that didn’t sound right — I learned that persistence quietly compounds. It’s rarely about big leaps, it’s about steady motion.

And third, being a good listener. I’ve always been deeply curious about how others think and create. Instead of feeling intimidated by people who were better than me, I tried to learn from them — observing

For anyone starting out, my advice would be: start early, fail early, and observe deeply. Don’t wait until you’re “ready” — you never really are. Let curiosity lead you, not perfection. Try things that scare you a little. Pay attention to the details — in people, in light, in silence. The more you observe, the more you’ll understand what truly moves you, and that’s where your real growth begins.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, absolutely. I’m always open to collaborating — especially with people who are ambitious, consistent, and genuinely passionate about creating something meaningful. I’m drawn to individuals who value authenticity over trends, who care more about the heart of the work than the noise around it.

I might seem a little unapproachable at first, but I’m genuinely open to ideas, conversations, and new perspectives. I love connecting with people who bring fresh energy and curiosity — whether they’re filmmakers, designers, writers, musicians, or storytellers of any kind.

You can reach out to me through my Instagram or portfolio website — I’m always up for a chat, a coffee, or an idea that stirs something real.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.youtube.com/@filmsbykartikk
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notkartikk
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kartikdhawan07/
• Twitter: https://x.com/notsothicccc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@filmsbykartikk

Image Credits

Kartik Dhawan