We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shilpa Johar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shilpa below.
Hi Shilpa, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My work ethic comes from a blend of personal experiences and the strong role models in my life. Coming from a background of Journalism and Psychology had rooted values of integrity and meaning in my work at an early stage. I always believe in fighting the good fight. My father is the best businessman I know. He’s built his success on respect, honesty and unwavering ethics. Watching him navigate the business world with such integrity has deeply influenced how I approach my work. Similarly, my grandfather, who retired from the WHO, is a man of immense knowledge and character. His wisdom has always guided me, reminding me of the importance of being grounded in my values.
Growing up as the only daughter in a predominantly male culture, I’ve learned how to navigate spaces that may traditionally be seen as male-dominated. It’s a dynamic that mirrors the industry I’m in, but it doesn’t intimidate me. Instead, it allows me to bring my own softness, while standing firm in my beliefs and vision. I’ve learned that strength isn’t always about being the loudest in the room—it’s about knowing who you are and being able to stand your ground with grace and confidence.
My journey has taught me that consistency, discipline, and integrity are key to success, and I strive to embody those principles in everything I do.
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?
One of the most pivotal projects in my career is Nange Pair, a short film that took on a life of its own, reaching over 22 million views on YouTube. The film tells a raw story in a single shot and its unexpected success taught me the power of authenticity in storytelling. Nange Pair resonated deeply with audiences worldwide, which was a profound lesson for me on how vulnerable, personal stories can truly connect across borders.
Building on that success, my film Bageecha has also been a significant milestone in my journey. Bageecha is a thematic narrative about Om, an immigrant gardener, whose life takes a dramatic turn after his son steals a consignment of drugs. It explores themes of family, sacrifice, and resilience, and its selection for the 28th LA Shorts International Film Festival – a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards, BAFTAs, and Canadian Screen Awards. It is a testament to the impact this story holds. The process of bringing Bageecha to life challenged and strengthened me as a filmmaker, pushing me to balance creative vision with practical execution, which I believe has become a hallmark of my work.
Another incredible experience was my role as the showrunner for the Day of Peace event with Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots initiative with KNEKT TV. This globally streamed event was focused on peace, sustainability, and bringing people together from all walks of life to reflect on these critical issues. My responsibilities involved overseeing every aspect of production—from coordinating international teams to ensuring that the event’s message remained strong and cohesive. The event featured a blend of thought leaders, environmental advocates, and artists, and it was an inspiring opportunity to use media to amplify a message of peace and environmental stewardship on a global scale. Working alongside the Jane Goodall Institute was a humbling experience, as it combined my passion for storytelling with a cause that is close to my heart.
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?
Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: resilience, empathy and the ability to embrace uncertainty. Each of these has not only shaped my path but has deepened my understanding of who I am and what I’m meant to contribute through my work.
Resilience has been crucial in navigating the inevitable challenges. There will always be obstacles, whether in relationships, creative projects, or business decisions. But resilience isn’t just about pushing through, it’s about evolving with grace. Every setback is an opportunity to grow and I’ve learned that the most profound lessons often come from the moments that felt like failures at the time.
Empathy has allowed me to connect with others on a deeper level, whether through storytelling or in the way I lead and collaborate. It’s also about being honest and unafraid to speak the truth, whether to myself or others. Understanding and honoring the human experience, in all its complexity, has made me a more compassionate creator and leader. It’s been key in helping me build deeper connections, and this honesty has become a foundation of trust in my personal and professional relationships. I encourage others to focus on truly listening, being present, and approaching situations with truth and compassion.
Lastly, embracing uncertainty has been one of the greatest skills I’ve developed. It’s led me to trust my intuition much more, and now I only pick projects that feel right and aligned with my purpose. No creative piece of brilliance has ever come out of desperation. Learning to trust that flow and surrender to what’s meant to be has been transformative. The creative journey is unpredictable, and by embracing that, I’ve allowed space for unexpected magic to emerge. Some of the most rewarding projects came from trusting this process rather than forcing an outcome.
For those early in their journey, I would advise nurturing these qualities in yourself. Resilience comes from allowing yourself to fail without losing faith in your purpose. Empathy is developed through vulnerability – by being honest with yourself and others and allowing deeper connections to form. And embracing uncertainty requires you to let go of rigid expectations and trust the flow of the universe.
At the core, success is about growth; spiritual, emotional, and creative. If you can anchor yourself in these principles, you’ll find not just success but fulfillment along the way.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m particularly excited about exploring two genres that deeply resonate with me: spiritual non-fiction and fantasy fiction. These genres allow for a unique blend of creativity and introspection, offering both the opportunity to craft imaginative worlds and explore profound truths.
With spiritual non-fiction, I want to dive into stories that focus on the deeper aspects of human existence, consciousness, and our connection to something greater than ourselves. This genre gives me the space to explore themes like self-awareness, healing, transformation, and the spiritual journeys that people undertake. It’s an area where storytelling meets wisdom, and I believe there’s immense potential to create narratives that inspire and uplift, offering readers insight into their own spiritual paths.
On the other hand, fantasy fiction allows me to tap into my imagination, creating rich, otherworldly landscapes filled with magic, symbolism, and adventure. I see this genre as a way to weave in universal truths through allegory and metaphor, where fantastical elements reflect real-life struggles, triumphs and the complexity of human emotion. There’s something incredibly freeing about fantasy – the ability to create worlds from scratch that can transport readers to places where they can dream, reflect, and engage with deep, timeless themes.
For me, both genres represent different sides of the same coin: spiritual non-fiction grounds us in real-world understanding, while fantasy fiction opens the door to limitless possibilities. In the future, I’m looking forward to developing stories that blur the lines between these two genres, combining the mystical with the practical to craft something truly unique.
If there are producers, animators or fellow storytellers who feel aligned with these genres, I’d love to connect and explore potential collaborations.
Image Credits
Headshot by Ritika Telang
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