Anushka Srivastava

Having moved from Mumbai to Austin at the age of 12, Anushka grew up with a deep affection for Indian cinema—the music, dance, and magic of Bollywood that connected her to home. Indie Meme, however, introduced her to a different side of South Asian storytelling.

Through independent films exploring themes such as gender, class, caste, religion, and identity, Indie Meme challenged her assumptions and broadened her understanding of the many lived experiences across South Asia. These stories also changed the way she viewed India when returning to visit Mumbai, giving her a more nuanced perspective on the culture she came from and what it means to be part of the South Asian diaspora.

While a song from Om Shanti Om can still bring an instant wave of nostalgia, Anushka credits Indie Meme with creating a deeper and more substantive connection to her heritage through films that inform, challenge, and inspire. Although she is now based in NYC, Anushka is proud to serve as an Indie Meme Ambassador and support its mission of bringing meaningful South Asian stories to diverse audiences in Austin.