Meet Rhea Damani

We recently connected with Rhea Damani and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rhea, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

You’ll often hear me say, “Everything happens for a reason” as I navigate through life’s highs and, more importantly, the lows. When the path I’m on turns rocky and uneven, these words echo louder than the sound of my footsteps. It’s a belief that has been deeply rooted in me since childhood. Growing up, I often heard family members say, “Jo hota hai, ache ke liye hota hai” (translated from Hindi: “whatever happens, happens for the best”) whenever I went to them, whining about something. I heard them repeat this phrase as they recounted stories of their past and the tough times they endured. They could smile as they shared these memories, knowing that all the hardships had led them to a moment where everything was good. The more I heard this, the more I began to see it around me and the more I began to believe it. But instead of saying, “It happens for the best,” I found myself saying, “It happens for a reason.” I’ve learned to seek out lessons in every situation I find myself in—whether by circumstance or by choice. If something terrible happens, I know that the only way forward is to go through it and that this experience is bringing me a lesson I wouldn’t have otherwise learned. Times, whether bad or good, always take a turn, sooner or later.

When I trace the roots of my resilience, I find them in the moments when my grandmother, my dad, and my uncle would share stories about their upbringing. My dad and uncle were young children when my grandfather passed away at an early age. They had to step up and fend for themselves and everyone else at home. My dad quickly realized that it was up to him to become the breadwinner and ensure a decent life for his family. And he did. From a young age, he put in the hard work and faced those who tried to undermine him, but he never wavered in his core beliefs and morals. With every challenge that came his way, he stood his ground and worked twice as hard. He was resilient then, and he remains resilient today in the face of the odds. Hearing about his journey and witnessing the fruits of his labor, I know that our lives would be very different without his “giving up is not an option” attitude. When I look at my grandmother, I see a woman who had to grow up too quickly and take charge of raising two children and supporting her old parents-in-law. She kept her head down, remained a dutiful daughter, and was a devoted mother. She endured many dull days, yet she kept going, her faith in a higher power and the belief that “everything happens for the best” guiding her every step. When I look at my mother, I see a loving and caring person fighting many silent battles and doing them with absolute mental strength and grace.

My family—each member, including my sisters—embodies the belief that “giving up is not an option,” and we keep going through tough times because we know they will pass. Being surrounded by such strong individuals is where I get my resilience. My positive attitude towards adversity helps me see the good in the bad and reaffirms my belief that there is a lesson in every situation, one I must learn and apply to my life. And once the dark clouds lift and a brighter tomorrow shines, I know my unwavering efforts were not in vain.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I often find myself gazing out the window of a car or bus, headphones in, lost in a world of imagination. My mind conjures up characters, situations, and entire worlds, with the music as a soundtrack that elevates the stories unfolding in my head. I first became aware of this in my early teens. I instinctively knew how a certain song’s video should be filmed to enhance the storytelling in its lyrics. Finally, at 15, I turned that vision into reality and created a music video. To my surprise, it won second place in an all-India competition. That’s when I realized that the visuals and stories I imagine can actually be brought to life on screen. Since then, the art of visual storytelling has captured my heart, driving me to translate my thoughts and words into visual art whenever possible.

I began my journey in the film industry as a cinematographer. The camera and lights became my primary form of expression throughout my undergraduate degree at Whistling Woods International in Mumbai, India. I immersed myself in the world of visual storytelling, composition, framing, and the dance between light and shadow. After working on about 40 projects in the camera and editing departments, I realized my true passion lies in directing and producing. I want to carry a project from its inception all the way to the finish line, and the natural next step was to become a producer/director.

Over the past year at Chapman University, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, I’ve gained invaluable experience stepping into the shoes of a producer. It has been everything I imagined and more—whether it’s giving constructive script notes, having creative meetings with the team, finding the perfect cast, or putting out the inevitable fires that arise during production. These experiences have been both thrilling and deeply rewarding. With every project I take on, I embrace the challenges that arise as opportunities for growth.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Make it a priority to learn as much as you can. We live in an age where everything is available at our fingertips. Ten years ago, I was sitting in front of my desktop, watching YouTube tutorials on how to cut a basic video on iMovie. YouTube became my free source of education on everything film-related. When you have an idea, you don’t have to wait for anyone—if you care enough to learn, you can find your own way to bring it to life.

In that spirit, approach every experience as a learner. No matter your age or what point you are at in life, you’ll never stop learning. Turbulent times, in particular, are the ones that will teach you the most valuable lessons—lessons you wouldn’t have gained if you hadn’t faced those challenges. This mindset has helped me stay calm and collected in tough situations.

Finally, practice gratitude. It’s easy to focus on the lows and fixate on why things aren’t working out. But gratitude has always kept me grounded, reminding me to appreciate my progress, my journey, and the life I’m living. Often, it’s gratitude that will pull you out of a creative block or rut and help you get back on your feet.

What is a challenge you are currently facing?

The biggest challenge I’m currently facing is recovering from a fractured ankle while juggling schoolwork, internships, and trying to maintain my mental and physical well-being. The injury happened so suddenly, and all the plans I had for the summer were turned upside down. As someone who loves planning ahead, I initially felt overwhelmed by how drastically things had changed.

To manage this, I turned to journaling and meditation to stay relaxed and minimize stress. This experience has also made me realize the importance of being surrounded by good people. The way my friends have shown up for me during this time has been absolutely overwhelming in the best way possible. Their love and care have kept me sane and supported me in ways I can’t fully express.

Moreover, my belief that “everything happens for a reason” and my past experiences of seeing things eventually work out as they’re meant to have kept me grounded during this challenging period. This combination of personal development tools, gratitude, and spiritual grounding has been my anchor through it all.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheadamani/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rheadamani
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@rheadamani