But since then I’ve been focusing on what it takes to find myself as an artist and strengthen my own style. When I entered this industry, I always hoped to achieve even a little of what Spike Lee did in bringing issues of my community and others to the forefront in entertaining ways. LK: Starting out, there weren’t many South Asian or Muslim role models in entertainment to look up to. TV: As a woman, a Muslim, and a South Asian writer-director, what role models did you look to for direction? What was the biggest challenge you faced in forging your own path? It’s time for Hollywood to do its part in erasing what they and the media helped create and let Muslim storytellers tell their stories. It would be a lie to say that Hollywood hasn’t done its fair share in creating part of the fear of Muslims that exists. It’s a young man trying to live up to the legacy of his father and feeling worthy enough for the love of his life. The character of my film happens to be Muslim, but that’s not the majority of his story. Growing up as a minority here I wondered, Who would be interested in a story about brown people? It’s more necessary than ever to have stories that actually reflect the world and people around us. Lena Khan: The film was inspired by stories of my father and other immigrants I know of when they first came to America. Why did you think this story needed to be told?
Teen Vogue: The Tiger Hunter revolves around the story of a South Asian Muslim immigrant. (Interview is re-posted with permission from Lena Khan). Teen Vogue spoke with Khan about what it takes for an outsider to break into Hollywood and how to get more inclusive stories on the big screen. As for her film, they are negotiating a limited theatrical release and streaming on Netflix. She signed with a leading Hollywood agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), and is now working on two television shows, a movie, and a children’s book. Throughout the process, she maintained an inclusive crew led by women producers to tell an authentic immigrant story that is perhaps more politically relevant today than when she started.Īfter her film swept awards at festivals in Los Angeles, Carmel, Philadelphia, and Santa Fe, Khan proved she had the chops to skillfully direct inclusive narratives. Khan navigated a steep learning curve complete with investor meetings, talent negotiations, and on-location shoots in India. The film, starring Danny Pudi and Jon Heder, follows an Muslim-Indian immigrant on his journey to discover where he fits in 1970s America. She began with a Kickstarter campaign where she rallied the South Asian and Muslim communities to which she belongs, to write, direct, and produce The Tiger Hunter. How do you make a feature film without Hollywood connections? According to filmmaker Lena Khan, the answer is serious hustle.
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