LOGLINE

A dependent little brother fears losing his only friend when his big sister is introduced to a potential rishta (suitor) during an Eid gathering.

SYNOPSIS

While it may feel like the sky is falling, there’s always a silver lining in the chaos. Rishta captures the tender reality of sibling relationships, where love and frustration coexist. Set during an Eid gathering, this film explores jealousy, grief, and independence—reminding us that as relationships shift, family bonds endure.

ARTISTIC STATEMENT

My closest cousin grew up in a humble middle class family, with a mom who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer the same year he was born. While thankfully, his mother is still fighting to this day, his big sister acted as his primary caretaker and best friend. I was always enamored and simultaneously heartbroken by how inseparable they were. While there was beauty to the bond, I could see that my cousin was struggling to fill a deep emotional chasm at the expense of the freedom and youth of his big sister. She was forced to grow up too soon, but eventually there came a time where he had to do the same. rishta is about that time. Furthermore, while my artistic journey began with observations, it has been more shaped by my own experiences. Similar to Ehsan, I struggled with my own fair share of insecurities deeply tied to my appearance. Moreover, I grew up with two siblings who are both over a decade older than me. By the time I was in 2nd grade, both of them had moved out of the house for college. The image of one day coming home and seeing their bedroom lights off is something I’ll never forget. Throughout my childhood, they were pillars which I looked up to but I always felt that they were out of reach. I always wanted them to be a bigger part of my life in spite of the inevitably of it being less possible with every year that went on. I understand the fear that drives Ehsan. In addition to being a rich, novel coming of age story, rishta is set in the Pakistani-American community. The cultural specificity of this story is undeniable yet deliberately subtle. rishta, despite what the title may suggest, chooses to omit a detailed commentary on arranged marriage in favor of focusing on the sibling relationship which is the real “rishta” (“relationship”) of which the film revolves around. I, along with my team of fellow South Asian creatives believe that the best way to promote South Asian culture on screen is through normalization as opposed to criticism. Many of the culturally specific films, specifically those in the South Asian American diaspora focus on characters struggling with their cultural identity. rishta is not a story about identity crisis—it’s a story about emotional closeness, quiet heartbreak, and the spaces in between growing up and letting go. Through a lens that is deeply personal yet culturally rooted, this film aims to honor the tenderness of sibling bonds and the quiet, universal ache of change—with a tone that is intimate, restrained, and deeply human.

KEY CREW

Ali Malik - Director

Ali Malik is a Pakistani-born, American-raised writer/director/producer. Most recently, his music video “Knot in my Chest” won the award for Best Story at the Experimental, Dance, and Music Film Festival in Toronto. Prior to that, his short film “Man of the Hour’ premiered at the New York Shorts International Film Festival. He is currently in his senior year at NYU Tisch, where he concentrates on telling stories that strive to find the silver lining in everyday heartbreak. With his next project rishta, Ali plans on distilling the ugliness of family drama while maintaining the inherent humor and heartwarming beauty present in his rich Pakistani-Americana family story. Furthermore, Ali brings his professional production experience to every project he works on. He has served as a locations assistant for Apple TV and CoMPANY Films as well as a member of the creative development team at CAVIAR in LA. In his free time, you can find him on stage as a live performing rhythm guitarist or at a table tennis tournament, competing for his life.

Mehula Singh - Production Designer

Mehula Singh is a New York-based production designer originally from Mumbai, India. She holds an MFA in Design for Stage and Film from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and a bachelor’s degree in Product Design from the MIT Institute of Design in India. Her work spans narrative film, television, and theatre, with a focus on crafting immersive, character-driven environments that support story and performance. Mehula began her career in the Mumbai film industry, contributing to large-scale productions such as Dabangg 3, Laxmii, and Ponniyin Selvan: Part I in a variety of art department roles, from prop runner to set decorator. Since relocating to New York, she has worked across independent film, Broadway, and academic productions, bringing a global and collaborative perspective to each project. Her work and creative process have been featured in publications such as Digital Studio India and Shoutout LA, highlighting her path from Meerut to Manhattan and her philosophy on world-building through design. Mehula is passionate about fostering inclusive spaces in the art department and often mentors emerging designers. She continues to shape visual narratives that resonate emotionally while embracing both realism and stylized storytelling.

Zayan Agha - Editor

Zayan Agha is a Pakistani filmmaker, editor, and visual storyteller whose work spans narrative fiction, music videos, and hybrid documentaries. As the youngest of three siblings and the younger brother to an older sister, Zayan connected personally to Rishta’s story and felt compelled to join the project. Raised in Lahore and currently based in Boston, Zayan’s films often explore the intersection of climate justice, social change, and intimate human stories. He is one of the few Pakistani filmmakers to have been featured by Forbes Magazine, with projects screening at prestigious international festivals including San Sebastián, Austin, Clermont-Ferrand, Red Sea, and Tasveer. Zayan holds a degree in film from the National College of Arts in Lahore and is a recipient of the Full Tuition Graduate Fellowship at Emerson College in Boston, where he is currently pursuing his MFA. At Emerson, he is also contributing to the creation of a new undergraduate major in Sustainability Communications, reflecting his deep commitment to environmental advocacy through storytelling. In addition to his narrative and documentary work, Zayan has directed, produced, and edited music videos for some of Pakistan’s leading pop and rap artists, garnering millions of views and national recognition. His style blends cinematic language with bold, socially-driven themes, using visual media as a tool for both expression and impact.

Zakir Zaidi - Producer

Zak Zaidi is a New York-based Pakistani-Indian American producer currently completing his BFA in Film & Television at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He brings prior training and experience from Chapman University, the University of Southern California, Loyola Marymount University, La Fémis, and other institutions, having worked on over 70 productions and logged more than 1,300 on-set hours. Zak is the recipient of the 2024 and 2025 Akhtar-Bhutta Fund for Student Producers Award for his work on Rishta and other student projects. He is passionate about developing culturally resonant stories and creating artist-centered productions rooted in healthy, collaborative environments. Zak recently completed a Film Unit Internship at Saturday Night Live and currently serves as a Set Production Assistant on the show, supporting the weekly broadcast of live television. His production development experience includes collaborations with major studios and networks such as PBS, CBS, NBCUniversal, and Disney. Through the National Student Advertising Competition, Zak has led award-winning marketing campaigns for Meta and Indeed. His creative work has screened at festivals such as the Pan African Film Festival, and his latest project, Rishta, is currently in pre-production.