Tracee Ellis Ross on set FILM with Nisha Ganatra (left) and Aneesh Chaganty with Sarah Paulson (below, right) Opposite page: Nisha Ganatra

“I FOUND MYSELF WILLING TO GO PLACES WITH HIM FOR HIM, SIMPLY BY VIRTUE OF HIS CONVICTION” —SARAH PAULSON

THE HIGH NOTE Nisha Ganatra has blazed a path for South Asian filmmakers in Hollywood, starting with her first indie feature, Chut- ney Popcorn (1999), to her prolific T ca- reer, where she directed episodes of Trans- parent (2014) and Better Things (2016). “I’m always looking to tell stories that haven’t been told enough on film,” she understanding we shared as women of every time the camera rolls that take her says. Ganatra seems to be taking on the colour. I truly enjoyed working with a character (named Mother in the script) stories of women in show business. Her predominantly female team of leaders on down such natural and nuanced pathways previous film, Late Night (2019), was this film: Nisha, Ali [Alexandra] Loewy, that it’s hard to not feel educated watching about a talk show host (Emma Thompson) our executive producer, and head writer her. And at least from my POV, so much of and her writer (Mindy Kaling). Ganatra’s Flora Greeson.” that comes from her prep. Run is a film next, out this month, The High Note, is that intentionally doesn’t reveal a lot about about a singer, Grace Davis, played by RUN Mother’s backstory, but all of it plays a Tracee Ellis Ross, and her PA, essayed by Aneesh Chaganty made waves at the 2018 vital role in the film. Before we started Dakota Johnson. Sundance Film Festival with his directori- shooting, I had written a small book’s al debut, Searching, starring John Cho. worth of backstory for Mother—full of de- Nisha Ganatra on Tracee Ellis Ross Made for less than $1 million, the film tails and anecdotes that never show up “Tracee was our dream choice for the role garnered $75 million when released tangibly on screen, but shape the character of Grace. Once she was on, the movie re- worldwide. In his next, a horror thriller consciously and unconsciously in pretty ally took shape as an original and fun com- called Run, Chaganty continues his important ways.” FILM edy, with heart and incredible music. She collaboration with co-writer Sev Ohanian is such a professional, an incredibly hard and producer Natalie Qasabian. He says, Sarah Paulson on Aneesh Chaganty worker, an A student (she did go to “After Searching, Hollywood suddenly “Aneesh was working from a place of Brown), a comedic force, and she has one cared about what we wanted to make next. artistic freedom—coming off a very suc- of the most generous hearts I’ve encoun- So we immediately got back to work. We cessful first feature—that allowed him to Access tered. Tracee is one of a kind, and it was an sent our script around town as a team be motivated by his instincts. People who honour to help her shine in her first fea- package and a few weeks later, Lionsgate are vaulting from an instinctual place tend ture film. It’s almost unfair that she has so bought in.” Run, out this month, stars to be bolder. To me that is tremendously Hollywood many talents in so many areas—and on Sarah Paulson as an overprotective mum, exciting, and it encourages boldness in re- top of all that, she can really sing.” hiding secrets from her homeschooled, turn. I found myself being willing to go Actors and filmmakers have long created wheelchair-bound daughter. places with him for him, simply by virtue movie magic together. Tracee Ellis Tracee Ellis Ross on Nisha Ganatra of his conviction. It was liberating and “From our first meeting, I could tell that Aneesh Chaganty on Sarah Paulson thrilling. I hope he keeps that confidence Ross and Nisha Ganatra, and Sarah Nisha and I would hit it off and do great “Sarah Paulson is one of the finest close, because I think that’s one of the first Paulson and Aneesh Chaganty decode work together. She is thoughtful, has big American actors working today. It was things you can lose in this business. And the chemistry behind their successful ideas and a specific comedic POV that she genuinely so rewarding to witness all of his is so powerful and assured that it would is able to filter through story and truth, her takes in the film—even the ones we be a loss for future audiences if he didn’t partnerships. By Shruti Rya Ganguly seamlessly. I was comforted by the sense of didn’t use. She makes such specific choices protect it at all costs.” n

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