From Bareilly to Serbia: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari on Finding Stories

Filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari speaking at the India International Film Tourism Conclave (IIFTC) mentioned every place has a soul—a fragrance, a rhythm, a story waiting to be told. Whether it’s the bustling streets of Agra, the vibrant alleys of Bareilly, or the serene coastline of Kokan, Ashwiny immerses herself in the cultural essence of her chosen locations, allowing them to shape her narratives. “Locations aren’t just backdrops; they’re characters in my stories,” she says. Her films, like Bareilly Ki Barfi, breathe life into small-town India, capturing its quirks and idiosyncrasies with an authenticity that resonates universally. Ashwiny’s dedication to storytelling often sees her going to great lengths to get the perfect shot. “Once, during a shoot, I sat reversed on a scooter while holding the camera just to capture the rawness of a busy marketplace,” she recalls with a laugh. Her passion for rooting her stories in their locales extends beyond India’s borders. Filming in Serbia for an international project was a transformative experience for her, creatively and logistically. “Serbia has a controlled, almost poetic quality to its streets. Shooting there taught me the beauty of working within constraints while still bringing my vision to life,” Ashwiny shares. However, working abroad comes with its challenges. “Filmmaking in India often has a certain spontaneity—we can adapt and innovate on the fly. Abroad, you work with rigid schedules, permits, and a precision-driven crew. It pushes you to plan meticulously, but it also opens your eyes to a whole new way of storytelling,” she explains. The contrast between the fluid dynamics of Indian sets and the structured approach abroad has shaped Ashwiny’s methodology. “In Serbia, every second of shoot time is accounted for, which can be challenging but also rewarding. Back in India, the flexibility allows for a more organic process, but that chaos has its charm,” she adds. Despite these differences, Ashwiny finds a common thread in how locations inspire her storytelling. “Every place—a small Indian town or a European city—has a unique voice. It’s my job to listen and translate that voice into a story,” she says. Through her journey from the colourful chaos of Bareilly to the picturesque streets of Serbia, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari continues to prove that storytelling transcends borders, finding its essence in the places we inhabit and the people who make them extraordinary.