Lifestyle

From India to Hollywood: Rishab Chandra’s cinematic brilliance is catching everyone’s attention

Published

3 years ago

March 10, 2023

Rishab Chandra’s path to becoming a renowned cinematographer is nothing short of extraordinary. Hailing from Bangalore, India, this young visionary has carved out a niche for himself in the world of filmmaking, working with prestigious brands and renowned artists across the globe. Chandra’s passion for the art of visual storytelling was ignited at a young age when his mother brought home a DSLR camera on a whim. From that moment on, he became inseparable from the device, exploring the depths of wildlife photography until the age of 16.

It was then that a chance encounter with a club promoter propelled Chandra into the world of event cinematography. His work quickly gained recognition, and he soon found himself collaborating with some of the biggest names in the electronic music industry, including Skrillex, Tiesto, KSHMR, and DJ Snake. Chandra’s talent and dedication did not go unnoticed, and by the age of 20, he had already begun touring with renowned artists such as Nikhil Chinappa, Lost Stories, Tyga, Alan Walker, Krewella, Bonobo, and Troyboi, capturing the energy and excitement of music festivals like Sunburn, DGTL, and Ultra.

One of Chandra’s most significant achievements came when he became one of the few Indian filmmakers to have a music video released on Spinnin’ Records, a global record label signed with some of the biggest DJs in the world. The video, “Mantra” by Mariana Bo, showcased Chandra’s ability to seamlessly blend his cinematic vision with the pulsating rhythms of electronic music. But Chandra’s ambitions didn’t stop there. At the age of 23, he ventured into the world of luxury automotive brands, establishing himself as one of the youngest cinematographers in the country to work with prestigious names like Porsche and Lamborghini.

“Chandra’s work with these iconic brands has been a testament to his exceptional skills and creative vision,” says industry experts. “His ability to capture the essence of these luxury vehicles, from their sleek lines to their raw power, is truly remarkable.” Chandra’s journey then took him to Los Angeles, where he spent a year studying at the prestigious New York Film Academy. It was during this time that he began working on numerous short and feature films as a Director of Photography, gaffer, and camera operator.

As Chandra’s journey continues to unfold, his story serves as an inspiration to aspiring filmmakers and cinematographers around the world. With a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep passion for his craft, this remarkable young talent from Bangalore has truly made his mark on the global stage.

Lifestyle

Confronting Propaganda: Street Smart Documents Honest Reactions to Gaza Indoctrination Footage

Published

4 days ago

November 6, 2025

Michelle Langton

Photo Courtesy of: Street Smart

Byline: Michelle Langton

In a recent project, the Street Smart team gathered 20 strangers and presented them with propaganda footage from Gaza that has circulated widely online but remains largely unfamiliar to many audiences. The aim wasn’t to provoke outrage or test media literacy in a classroom setting. It was to capture raw, unfiltered emotional reactions to material that reveals how narratives are formed at the source. The resulting video offers a candid look at how people process shocking content and how their perceptions shift when they see what is rarely shown on mainstream platforms.

The Structure of the Experiment

The format was simple. Participants were seated and shown a series of clips from Gaza, including children’s programming and broadcasts containing intense ideological messaging. No background information was provided, and viewers were not instructed on how to interpret what they were seeing. After watching, they were asked for immediate reactions.

The footage elicited a wide range of emotions. Some viewers were stunned by the content, admitting they had never seen anything like it before. Others expressed disbelief, questioning why this kind of material isn’t more widely discussed. A few were visibly shaken, saying the experience fundamentally altered their understanding of the situation.

By presenting the footage without narration or added commentary, Street Smart allowed participants’ genuine responses to emerge. The experiment revealed how propaganda can affect an entire generation. It can shock, unsettle, and force people to reconsider their assumptions.

Why This Project Matters

Sage Fox and Dorani aligned the purpose of this experiment with Street Smart’s broader mission of challenging prevailing narratives and encouraging critical thought among younger audiences. In an environment where footage spreads rapidly across digital platforms, propaganda can shape public opinion long before context catches up.

By showing the Gaza Indoctrination footage in a controlled setting and recording uncoached responses, the team aimed to expose the emotional and cognitive impact of this type of content.

“The first reaction is often the most revealing, because it shows how powerful images can be without context.”

The Range of Reactions

While each participant brought their own perspective, several themes emerged. Some expressed sympathy with the imagery itself, saying it was emotionally powerful.

One participant said, “It makes me question what I see online every day. How much of it is shaped this way?”

Their comments highlight how propaganda resonates differently depending on prior knowledge and exposure. Many viewers have simply never encountered such footage directly.

Street Smart’s Approach

This project continues a pattern established by Sage Fox & Dorani’s earlier videos. Rather than relying on experts or lengthy analysis, Street Smart focuses on real people and their honest reactions. The approach is simple but effective. Present potent material, listen to what people say, and share those moments with a wider audience.

The Gaza Indoctrination footage experiment fits this model. It doesn’t attempt to draw final conclusions or offer political commentary. Instead, it documents how people respond when they’re exposed to narratives that are usually filtered through intermediaries.

Implications for Media Literacy

Beyond its viral potential, the video raises broader questions about how people interact with powerful imagery online. Propaganda operates on emotional reflexes. As this experiment shows, those reflexes are often unexamined until they’re brought to the surface.

Sage Fox & Dorani hope that projects like this push audiences to think more critically about what they see and share.

“The purpose is not to tell people what to believe. It is to remind them that every image comes from somewhere, and that source matters,” they said.

Next Steps for Street Smart

As Street Smart’s platform grows, Sage Fox & Dorani plan to conduct similar experiments in different contexts. They intend to use their direct, street-level approach to highlight how people react when presented with challenging material.

The Gaza footage project is one piece of a larger mission. The team uses simple methods to shed light on complex issues. By focusing on authentic reactions, they continue to build a unique space in online media that blends cultural investigation with raw human response.

A Window into Unfiltered Thought

“We showed 20 strangers real propaganda footage from Gaza — and filmed their unfiltered reactions” is not a dramatic exposé or academic study. It is a clear, unmediated record of how individuals respond when confronted with material designed to persuade. In that restraint lies its strength.

By documenting these moments, Street Smart shows how awareness can begin with a pause. A brief space between seeing and believing.