U.S.-based RASA Film Group is launching a film collective at the Sundance Film Festival.
The collective is actively exploring projects featuring strong female protagonists, narratives centered around social justice and stories that portray Muslim characters in positive and empowering roles. RASA is in talks for future projects involving Muslim or Pakistani women talent such as Aizzah Fatima (“Americanish”), Mehreen Jabbar (“Farar”), Afia Nathaniel (“Dukhtar”), Mahnoor Euceph (“Eid Mubarak”) and Rehana Lew Mirza (“Wishtree”).
RASA is the brainchild of four partners of South Asian origin. Asad Butt is the founder and CEO of Rifelion Media, a film and podcast studio elevating diverse voices. He is the executive producer of the forthcoming “Ramadan America” film anthology and the “King of the World” podcast series. Butt is also a startup advisor and investor, primarily working with pet care and education founders and accelerator programs.
Sujit Chawla was a producer on the groundbreaking independent film “American Desi,” one of the seminal films chronicling the South Asian community in the U.S. Rohi Mirza Pandya is co-founder of Box Office Guru Media, Inc., a multicultural marketing agency, a creative producer and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging consultant (DEIB) for Desipina Productions. She is also one of the founders of the first ever South Asian House at SXSW and Tribeca Festival in 2023 and was an executive producer on Oscar-qualified short film “Eid Mubarak” which played at last year’s Red Sea International Film Festival.
Atul Prashar individually, or as founding partner of KMH Group, has invested in more than 200 public-private tech-first companies in media, entertainment and sports. With previous stints in music and Bollywood, he has increasingly focused investing and advisory efforts towards global film projects that positively promote the South Asian diaspora.
“We are thrilled to be a diverse group of partners with a deep love for film and storytelling,” said Rohi Mirza Pandya. “Our combined wisdom and financial support will allow innovation in the industry and make a lasting impact.”
