Bringing Stories to Life
“You have only one life—take that chance.” This simple yet profound belief has guided Vidyut Latay on her journey from a middle-class Maharashtrian girl who loved narrating films to an award-winning documentary filmmaker and User Experience Designer. Vidyut doesn’t just tell stories; she creates movements. Through her production house, Vidyut Latay Productions LLC, she’s giving voice to those often overlooked, proving that the most powerful stories come from the margins.
A Storyteller from the Start
Growing up in a family that celebrated music and literature, her passion for storytelling deepened, eventually leading her to filmmaking. “The audiovisual medium felt like the best way to turn my ideas into reality,” she says. Despite earning a gold medal in Statistics, Vidyut boldly pursued her creative dream. “When life throws curveballs, you don’t just dodge them—you learn to hit them out of the park,” she reflects. Moving to the U.S. presented challenges, but she invested in further education that earned her the outstanding Graduate Student award at San Francisco state University and laid the groundwork for her career in Los Angeles.
Luck and Hard Work: The Perfect Duo
When it comes to the age-old debate between luck and hard work, Vidyut believes the two are intertwined. “Luck has its role, but it’s your own determination that can manifest your dreams into reality and drive success,” she says. Her journey is proof that while divine intervention may help, it’s grit and sacrifice that truly move the needle.
Telling Stories That Matter
Vidyut’s films are not just stories; they’re windows into worlds that often go unnoticed. “I’m driven by a purpose and impact—to give a voice to those who need to be heard,” she explains. Her debut documentary, Beyond Silence, reframed how deafness is perceived, showcasing it as a way of life rather than a disability. The film resonated globally, particularly with the deaf community.
Her second documentary, Alien, dives into the complexities of U.S. immigration, specifically focusing on the lives of high-skilled immigrants. This deeply personal project took six years to complete and was born from her own experiences as an immigrant. “The word ‘alien’ haunted me,” Vidyut recalls, referencing her first encounter with the U.S. immigration system. The film sheds light on a largely ignored group, offering a fresh perspective on the human side of a broken system.
Leadership: Creating Spaces for Growth
Vidyut’s leadership style is a reflection of her storytelling—empathic, inclusive, and collaborative. “A leader walks the talk, takes risks, and listens to diverse opinions,” she believes. For her, leadership is about fostering an environment where everyone grows together. As a filmmaker, she is acutely aware of the team effort that goes into every project. ” Filmmaking is a collaborative art, where the real magic happens when every team member contributes their creativity and vision, working together to bring a shared dream to life,” she says.
Inspired by Her Roots
Vidyut’s creativity is rooted in her family, who fostered a love for both the arts and education. Her father, a retired IIT engineer, and her mother, a retired educator, encouraged her to explore both her academic and creative sides. Her brother, who left academia and a corporate life for music, was another source of inspiration. In addition, filmmakers like Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Guru Dutt, Ron Howard, and documentary filmmakers Davis Guggenheim shaped her artistic vision.
The Birth of Alien
The inspiration for Alien came from a personal experience. Upon arriving in the U.S., Vidyut was confronted by the term “alien” in the immigration queue. “That word shook me to my core,” she recalls. Over the years, as she and her husband navigated the U.S. immigration system, she felt a deep need to tell the stories of immigrants like them. After filming countless interviews, Alien was born—a film that humanizes the immigration debate by focusing on the often-ignored high-skilled immigrant community. The documentary, largely self-funded, is scheduled for broadcast nationally in the US on PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) in 2024.
Finding Balance in Life and Art
Vidyut’s life isn’t all about work. On weekends, you’ll find her walking in nature, playing squash, or enjoying family time with her husband- Ram, two kids- Arshia &Vivaan and a little Maltese- Zoe. However, her favorite hobby is singing. A trained Indian classical singer herself, she wishes to pursue singing seriously someday….”Music is my escape. I sing while cooking, cleaning, or driving—it keeps me connected to myself,” she says. In her downtime, she devours motivational books and videos on personal growth. She draws personal strength from practicing the SGI (Soka Gakkai International) Buddhist practice by chanting regularly, and drawing wisdom from thinkers like Brené Brown.
Embracing Challenges and Learning from Them
Vidyut’s willingness to take risks and embrace the unknown has been her greatest strength. “I’m not afraid to take the road less traveled,” she admits. But like all creatives, she grapples with the challenge of balancing work and personal life. “I sometimes take on too much and forget to care for myself,” she confesses.
A Legacy of Storytelling and Impact
Vidyut’s hard work has been recognized globally. Her documentaries have won numerous awards. She was awarded the coveted International Achievers’ Award in recognition of her impactful contributions to addressing social issues through documentary filmmaking. Beyond Silence is part of academic curriculums and has been screened at festivals worldwide, while Alien is making waves in the U.S., India, and Europe. The documentary soon will be released on a premier OTT platform (https://www.aliendocumentary.com/).
A Message to Aspiring Creators
To those looking to follow in her footsteps, Vidyut’s message is simple yet powerful: “You have only one life—Be bold, take risks, and don’t let fear or doubt hold you back.” For Vidyut, life is about embracing the unknown, learning from mistakes, and always staying true to your passion.
Through her films, leadership, and unwavering dedication, Vidyut Latay (https://www.vidyutlatay.com/ )continues to inspire others to follow their dreams, one story at a time.
