Focus, reframed: Shruti Ganguly on presence and process

Life as both a producer and filmmaker is often a careful balancing act between two personas: The free-flowing creative and the structured planner. The on-set extrovert and the introvert crafting the emotional heart of a story.

That duality was part of filmmaker Shruti Ganguly from early on. “Growing up, I never imagined I’d be a filmmaker,” reflects Shruti, who studied both economics and fine arts. “I thought I’d become an investment banker who painted on weekends.” In fact, she even interned for the National Bank of Oman.

Today, Shruti’s work as a filmmaker blends cultures and disciplines. Her films pull from her experiences living in India, Oman, and the US, and a rich palette of influences — from classical painting and music to sharp storytelling and collaboration.

The power of presence in filmmaking

For Ganguly, filmmaking is more than visual storytelling — it’s a practice in presence. No matter what form her work takes, she balances it with a conscious effort to be present in listening, observing, and reflecting.

“I think you can find inspiration for a story anywhere,” she says. “It's your own lived experience. It's listening to strangers, to friends, to family. It's asking questions.”

Rituals for focus, a daily practice

That ability to be present is only possible for Shruti if it's anchored by her rituals and processes. She likes to start off her day walking her dog, brewing coffee, and letting her mind be free to roam and think freely. It’s often in these quiet, sensory-rich moments that ideas tend to percolate.

“There are these little objects and things that contain ideas and beauty and history,” she says. “And I find focus by creating spaces that are conducive to me feeling like I can fully be myself.”

When in doubt, write it out

But focus isn’t always easy. Shruti writes everything by hand, keeps stacks of notebooks, and swears by the Pomodoro Technique. “Writing something down is a commitment to memory,” she says. “It helps me remember, but it also helps me feel grounded.”

When asked where she does her best thinking, she laughs and mentions the shower — a common answer among creatives. “Maybe there’s something about the water hitting your skin that makes you feel very present,” she says. “In the shower, you’re the most vulnerable with yourself. That’s where ideas come.”