JĀTI is currently development. It has not yet been filmed.
JĀTI explores love and the complexities of caste in the U.S. As a couple strives for acceptance from a traditional father, the film paints a nuanced portrait of caste, capturing the emotional struggles and how deeply held beliefs challenge relationships and reshape family dynamics.
PREMISE
JĀTI is a powerful 20-minute U.S. drama that explores the caste system through an Indian narrative, highlighting its presence and impact beyond the borders of India. The film delves into themes of love, control, and the repercussions of challenging societal boundaries, prompting viewers to examine the invisible walls that divide us.
STORY
The story centers on Amulya, who comes from a dominant-caste family, and Vinay, who comes from a lower caste. They visit her parents in the U.S. to seek her father Sampath’s approval for their marriage. Their arrival ignites tension, particularly with Amulya’s mother, Vani, who opposes inter-caste unions—a stance also shared by her sister Shwetha and brother-in-law Mohan.
During an uneasy dinner, Vinay’s attempts to win Sampath’s approval are met with caste-based humiliation, pushing Vinay to the brink and leading him to reveal a deeply personal secret in a moment of desperation. Sampath’s furious reaction results in Vinay being expelled from the house, leaving Amulya devastated.
In the days that follow, Amulya’s attempts to reason with her father grow volatile. Torn between her family’s expectations and her own desires, Amulya is forced to make an agonizing decision, leaving the audience to question whether she will break free from tradition or remain bound by it.
WHY DOES THIS STORY MATTER?
JĀTI is not just about caste—it’s about the human emotions tied to cultural and familial expectations. The film highlights the real decisions people must make when personal love collides with tradition.
It resonates with anyone who has had to confront their identity, fight for acceptance, or face family disapproval.
And it’s a story that transcends borders, exploring how old-world values continue to influence the present.
SYNOPSIS
THE BEGINNING: CULTURAL CONFLICT
SAMPATH and VANI—dominant-caste parents visiting the U.S. to support their eldest daughter as she prepares to give birth—find themselves in an unexpected situation when their younger daughter, AMULYA, introduces her boyfriend, VINAY, a man from a lower caste.
The film captures the initial tension when Amulya and Vinay arrive at her parents’ home. Vani’s disapproval of their inter-caste relationship sets the stage for the conflict that follows. Sampath’s position as a respected politician and upholder of caste traditions adds complexity, especially since his influence extends beyond their family to a broader community in India.
THE MIDDLE: MAIN CONFLICT
The story intensifies over a family dinner where Vinay gathers the courage to ask Sampath for his approval to marry Amulya. What begins as a plea spirals into a confrontation when Sampath’s caste biases surface. His contempt for Vinay’s background leads to a verbal clash that leaves Vinay humiliated. Vinay’s exit leaves Amulya emotionally torn, trapped between her love for Vinay and her loyalty to her family.
As the evening disintegrates, each family member wrestles with their own struggles caught between opposing sides, and Vani, torn between supporting her husband’s values and her daughter’s happiness.
THE CLIMAX: EMOTIONAL FALLOUT
The aftermath of the confrontation is filled with intensity. Amulya is forced to confront her own beliefs about tradition, while the weight of her family’s expectations pushes her toward a breaking point. Sampath’s unyielding grip on his values leads him to make a hard-hitting choice that risks tearing his family apart.
Vinay’s determination to gain acceptance is shaken, but his love for Amulya and the hope for a future keeps him fighting, even if it means facing deeply rooted societal biases.
CONCEPT & THEME
JĀTI explores the complexities of inter-caste marriage, revealing the emotional turmoil that arises when love collides with cultural beliefs. The film examines the struggle for identity and acceptance within families rooted in tradition, offering a look at the consequences of challenging established norms.
As the younger generation seeks progress and freedom, their clash with the values of their elders intensifies, leading to a confrontation that forces them to choose between love and family loyalty.
Through this narrative, JĀTI not only tells a story of conflict but also prompts reflection on caste, identity, and the cost of breaking societal boundaries.
CHARACTERS
VINAY
Vinay is from a Dalit background in Telangana. Through reservation, he overcame caste-related and financial challenges to earn a Master's degree in the U.S. Now a civil engineer, his sincerity and honesty shine. Vinay hopes his achievements will win Sampath's approval, showing his success despite his lower-caste background.
AMULYA
Amulya is in love with Vinay, whom she met in college. With a master's degree and a business analyst job in the U.S., she benefits from her dominant-caste background, which provided her with education and opportunities. Her calm demeanor, traditional values, and beauty reflect her upbringing.
VANI
Vani is Amulya's mother and is torn between supporting Amulya and her beliefs against inter-caste marriage. Her husband's dominant-caste pride and biases add to her stress. Trapped in a patriarchal family, she hopes for a resolution but doubts Sampath will accept Vinay, reflecting the pressures she faces.
SAMPATH
Sampath is Amulya's father and is a staunch supporter of India's ruling party and a firm believer in the importance of same-caste marriages. He sees his values as a way to preserve cultural heritage and social order. His patriarchal views can seem condescending, but he believes he acts in his family's and community's best interests.
WHAT MAKES THIS FILM DIFFERENT?
What distinguishes JĀTI from other films on caste is its portrayal of each character's internal struggle, set in the USA, and its commentary on the caste system and its propagation beyond the borders of India.
Vinay, caught between his desire for love and the harsh reality of his caste, faces a constant battle to prove his worthiness, not just to his partner's family but to a society that has long relegated him to the margins.
Amulya’s dominant-caste privilege allows her to navigate the situation differently from Vinay, who comes from a marginalized Dalit background, where every decision is weighed against a lifetime of discrimination and societal barriers.
Vani, as a mother, must reconcile her love for her daughters with her commitment to family traditions.
Meanwhile, Sampath’s adherence to caste boundaries complicates his role as both a father and a political figure, adding a societal layer to the personal conflict.
By exploring these perspectives, the film brings depth to the exploration of caste, making it both intimate and profound.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
JĀTI is a film about love, control, and the social boundaries we create. Inspired by real events, such as the tragic honor killing of Amrutha and Pranay in Hyderabad in 2018, the film confronts viewers with the harsh realities of caste prejudice that persist, even among families who have moved beyond the borders of India. The central question of the story is timeless: can love survive when weighed down by the heavy hand of tradition?
By using the medium of fiction, I aim to spark conversations about inter-caste marriages and the deep-seated cultural biases that remain unchallenged. Through Amulya and Vinay’s journey, I hope to inspire introspection and dialogue about the value of love—and whether it can truly be wise if it comes at the cost of personal and familial destruction.
— Sarthwik Bollu
