Soulmates is inspired by the horrific 2012 Delhi Gang Rape Case. The film explores the Indian patriarchal society, which has normalized violence against women. At its core, the film delves into the journey of relationships, which are constantly impacted by misogynist values in the name of culture, rituals and/or beliefs.

I chose my narrative to take place in the city of Delhi, where growing up I constantly witnessed a predominant culture of holding women responsible for any mishap or misfortune. Any time a crime against women would take place, a common sentiment echoed in the media, the government and the society that blamed the victim, without any consequences for the perpetrator.

On the other end of the spectrum, even in day-to-day activities, the women are constantly reminded of being the ‘second-sex’, where there duty is to fulfil the wishes of men by sacrificing their own needs. Growing up in Delhi, I always witnessed women of any age group – mother, grandmother, sister – could not wear any clothes that they felt comfortable in, without any judgement being passed about their morality, and/or any unwanted attention being brought towards their bodies.