Ritu Singh Pande, a trailblazing individual from Bihar, India, was born with a rebellious spirit that clashed with the patriarchal norms of her cultural surroundings. Her unconventional path as a social activist, military cadet, and Miss India finalist allowed her to delve into various aspects of feminism, female identity, and human existence.
Ritu's decision to leave her burgeoning acting career in Mumbai to pursue filmmaking in New York was a bold move, but it ultimately led to her feeling pigeonholed as a minority woman. Instead of being deterred, she was energized by this challenge and driven to create films that defy industry stereotypes and tell more complex, universal stories, particularly those about women.
In 2010, Ritu produced her most personal film, FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, a poignant story about lost love, lost parents, and lost home due to forced migrations. This film was a spiritual and personal breakthrough for Ritu, and since then, she has produced numerous festival hits, including MAY IN THE SUMMER, CAR DOGS, and A WOMAN A PART, which celebrate human complexity.
Ritu's writing and directing debut, TURNED OUT, is a thought-provoking exploration of complex feminist ideas set in the backdrop of the sex trafficking industry. She aims to develop this short film into a feature-length film. Her second short film, BORROWED PLUMES, is a deeply personal work that delves into the feelings of an individual who has lost their sense of self-worth due to societal pressures to conform.
Throughout her journey as a filmmaker, actor, humanitarian, mother, Indian woman, and immigrant, Ritu has been driven by a desire to explore the complexities of human identity through art, performance, writing, and cinema. Her experiences have inspired a lifelong quest to create stories that resonate with audiences and challenge the status quo.
