There is inherent risk in being an entrepreneur, and even more so in being a documentary filmmaker. Few people pursue filmmaking, especially documentaries, for job security, financial stability, or a guaranteed career path. Instead, they are driven by passion, a desire to tell compelling stories, and the hope of creating a meaningful impact in the world.

After directing my first feature documentary, I craved a new project to uplift my spirit and bring fresh inspiration into my life. During a short visit home for the Christmas holiday, I glanced at the film gig section of Cleveland’s Craigslist. One post caught my eye: “Documentary Videographer Needed This Weekend.” I hadn’t spent much time back home since leaving at 18, but between visiting family and looking for paid work, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to take a local film gig.

I replied to the email and had a call with the director. He invited me to document an event the day after Christmas, focusing on a community of Indian doctors in Cleveland. Having spent a month in India when I was 17, I was intrigued by the documentary’s subject. The director was a journalist turned filmmaker, and the cinematographer was a professional National Geographic photographer turned videographer.

After an evening of filming, I was hooked on their story and agreed to stay on board without pay for the next few days. We continued interviewing doctors and filming scenes around Cleveland. The more I got to know the filmmakers, the more impressed I was by their ambition to tackle such a significant project with zero capital and little documentary production experience. Listening to the retired doctors, aged 70 and 80, speak about their dedication to their homeland and over 20 years of “Yatras” (journeys) involving 10-day medical aid missions throughout rural India, I was deeply moved and inspired. The next thing I knew, I was strategizing with my mom about how to purchase a ticket to India.

After a few days of working with the director and cinematographer, I felt a strong calling to join their mission. I thought, why not? I had just finished my first feature and had the time to devote to a new film. They didn’t have a producer or executive producer to support them.

The next day, I applied for my visa and booked an appointment at the local clinic for shots and malaria pills. By a stroke of luck, a friend of my mother’s offered extra frequent flyer miles to help me get to India. A week later, on January 11th, I left for India.

As I boarded the plane, a flurry of emotions swirled within me—excitement, curiosity, and a hint of trepidation. This was more than just a journey into the heart of India; it was a plunge into the unknown, a deep dive into the essence of risk and reward. Stepping out of my comfort zone, I was about to immerse myself in a new culture, a new project, and a new chapter of my life.

The engine roared to life, and as we ascended into the sky, I reflected on the serendipitous events that led me here. From spotting that Craigslist ad to meeting the director and cinematographer, agreeing to join their project, and now embarking on this journey to India—none of it had been planned. And yet, it felt right, as if I was following a path I was meant to tread.

Settling into my seat, I contemplated the inherent risks and potential rewards ahead. Documentary filmmaking is not for the faint-hearted. It demands passion, creativity, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. And here I was, about to take one of the biggest risks of my career.

But with great risk comes the potential for great reward. I was on the brink of working on a meaningful project that could impact countless lives. I was about to immerse myself in a new culture and gain invaluable insights. Above all, I was poised to grow as a filmmaker and as a person.

Yes, there were risks. Uncertainties loomed large. But there was also the promise of an enriching experience. As the plane pierced the clouds, leaving my homeland behind, I was filled with anticipation. I was ready to embrace the risk and chase the reward.

This was the life of an entrepreneur, of a documentary filmmaker. This was the life I had chosen. Watching the sun set from the airplane window, casting a soft glow over the vast expanse of the sky, I knew I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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