Filmmaking alum Pavitra Chalam co-directs the new, inspirational documentary Rooting For Roona about a child named Roona with an advanced form of hydrocephalus, a condition in which fluid builds up in the brain resulting in an enlarged head and can also cause brain damage.
Roona quickly becomes known all over the world after images of her go viral and, not long after, Roona is admitted to one of India’s premier private hospitals in the nation in New Delhi. Chalam and co-director Akshay Shankar seek to chart the incredible story of Roona and her family as the young child goes through a life-altering surgery to combat her birth defect.
Chalam is an award-winning documentary filmmaker based in Bangalore whose films with focuses on issues of social importance have received critical acclaim across the world. She has directed over 200 films in the last 15 years and is the Founder of Curley Street. Chalam earned her MFA in Filmmaking at the New York Film Academy in 2006 and created her thesis film Anamika – Her Glorious Past, which went on to receive critical acclaim in festivals across the world and was screened at the World Bank in Washington DC. Pavitra has been privileged to receive numerous awards over the last decade including the Ability Media International Award in London for Best Film for Khushboo, a film about children with complex needs.
Rooting for Rona had its World Premiere at International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) and was awarded the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the South Asian Film Festival of Orlando before being acquired by Netflix.
New York Film Academy would like to congratulate Filmmaking alum Pavitra Chalam on her latest directorial achievement and encourages everyone to check out the new documentary now streaming on Netflix.
Watch the full trailer for the new documentary below or click here.
Please note: NYFA does not represent that these are typical or guaranteed career outcomes. The success of our graduates in any chosen professional pathway depends on multiple factors, and the achievements of NYFA alumni are the result of their hard work, perseverance, talent and circumstances.