Manjari Makijany, daughter of actor Mac Mohan, who is fondly remembered as Sambha from Sholay (1975), has a huge legacy to lean on. But, the writer-filmmaker doesn’t want to get stuck in one region, which explains her absence from Bollywood. “I hope to tell stories that transcend borders, cultures and have a universal appeal,” she tells us.

Makijany is working on projects that reflect her Indian connection, infused with a hint of universal appeal, such as Skater Girl, set in a remote village of Rajasthan. The filmmaker, who has worked on Wake Up Sid! (2009) and 7 Khoon Maaf (2011), admits that a film like Skater Girl wouldn’t have been financed if she was still in India.

“It would have been a risky, unconventional decision,” she opines. “It’s been a wonderful journey of learning in the past decade — from making short films, assisting on Hindi films and international productions to being selected as a director to participate in Hollywood studio workshops and labs that give importance to diversity in films,” adds Makijany, who looks at each of these as an “important milestone”.

Carrying forward her father’s legacy, she says, is an honour. “We still meet people who have the most beautiful stories to share about him. His goodwill, in the industry and outside, doesn’t fail to inspire us. He taught us to approach our work with integrity,” adds the filmmaker, whose next directorial is Spin, a coming-of-age teen drama starring Abhay Deol in the lead.