Rising Director Vibha Kulkarni Embarks on Hollywood Journey with Debut Feature ‘7TH HOUSE’

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 24: Los Angeles, CA / Mumbai, Maharashtra: Vibha Kulkarni, a talented filmmaker from Bandra, Mumbai, is poised to make her directorial debut in Hollywood with the romantic comedy “7TH HOUSE.” Not only will Kulkarni direct the film, but she will also take on the lead role, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning multi-hyphenate career.

In a bold move, Kulkarni cast herself as the lead character in her debut feature, reflecting her unique approach to storytelling. “Casting is crucial to directing for me. I visualise characters and their worlds with specific actors in mind while writing itself. The lead character in ‘7TH HOUSE’ is based on me, a filmmaker in her thirties. I couldn’t see anyone else playing her but me. It’s not something I do for every story, but for this one, it felt necessary,” she explained.

An extensive and diverse creative background has marked Kulkarni’s journey to this moment. An alumnus of St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath’s College of Fine Arts in Bengaluru, and the National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad, she further honed her craft at the prestigious American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory.

With over a decade of experience in various storytelling mediums, including Fine Art, Performance Art, Interactive Art, Theater, Indian Classical Dance, and Poetry, Kulkarni is well-versed in the art of creative expression. Her short film “ARO’S WORLD,” a psychological horror exploring the coming-of-age theme, garnered significant attention, winning the “Best Young Performer Award” at the Chicago Horror Film Festival. The film also premiered at several notable festivals, including BAFTA, Canadian Award, and Oscar-qualifying L.A. Shorts. It is set to make its Canadian Premiere at the International South Asian Film Festival Canada (ISAFF).

As Vibha Kulkarni steps into the dual roles of director and lead actor in “7TH HOUSE,” the film industry is taking notice, marking her as a rising filmmaker to watch in Hollywood.