Director Ashwin Agrawal on 'Broken Mirror' on catalyzing social change through films

Ashwin Agrawal's journey from acting coach to award-winning filmmaker, shining a light on mental health through powerful storytelling. His first feature Broken Mirror won the best film at Cannes World Film Fest and Rome Prisma Film Awards and the award for best actress at Los Angeles Film Award

From an acting coach to directing films, Ashwin Agrawal’s journey in the last two years is worth taking note of. He ventured into filmmaking in 2022 and has directed four short films and a feature film since.

His first feature in English Broken Mirror went on three prestigious platforms: it won the best work-in-progress film at the Cannes World Film Festival in February and the lead Titiksha Taggar was nominated for best actress; at the Los Angeles Film Awards in March, Titiksha won the Best Actress prize in an indie film while Ashwin received honorable mention as first-time feature filmmaker; and it made it as a finalist for best film at the Rome Prisma Film Awards 2023.

“I like to do films based on issues that affect our society. Technology is shunting us apart; I feel as human beings we need to reconnect,” he says, adding that the recognition to Broken Mirror, a poignant story about Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), signals the urgent need for conversations around mental health and body image.

“There are one million BDD cases in India; the condition is prevalent but under-discussed. I feel happy to shine a light on the struggles of body dysmorphia to foster empathy and dialogue. Stories about problems people face resonate the best,” says Ashwin.

Excerpts from an interview:.