Series pilot making a difference

A new web series filmed at Mango Hill aims to bridge cultural and relationship gaps in multicultural societies.

The brainchild of Amit Mehta, Different Worlds is a comedy-drama that explores the complexity of intercultural relationships.

Mehta came to Australia from India about four years ago, living first in Sydney before moving to Mango Hill.

Observing differences

Since he arrived, he’s been observing differences in the way Australian and Indian communities interact individually and with each other and developed a curiosity about why those differences occur.

A desire to fulfill that curiosity led him to write a draft for the series pilot of Different Worlds, which in turn led him to attend writing workshops.

It was there he met Steve Haynes, with whom he worked to develop the final script.

“I had been observing a few things like the differences between the Indian and Australian communities,” Mehta says.

“We work together, but are we really good friends like people are within their own communities?

Step out of your comfort zone

“Language is one barrier - maybe they look different, maybe they have different thoughts.

“Then I realised you have to move out of your comfort zone to close those gaps.”

Different Worlds centres on Indian migrant Rohan, played by Mehta, who seeks a housemate in his new country to share the costs of living.

In steps Irish-Australian Patrick, who initially baffles Rohan with his stereotypically ocker approach to life.

“Their background is altogether different,” Mehta explains.

“My characters stay in one house and share a lot of things together and when Rohan and Patrick go through their cultural differences there are moments of when there are clashes.

“They resolve those gaps by coming out of their comfort zone.”

Friendship, love and laughs

And that’s where the comedy comes in, Mehta says, as the characters move from clashing to a more light-hearted approach.

“They’re closing gaps, even though there’s a lot of differences but they understand each other better.”

Adding to the mix is Tilly, who comes from a family of lawyers, but wants to be an environmentalist and follow her passions.

“It’s a story about friendship, love between an Indian guy and an Australian girl,” Mehta says.

“There’s an interesting contrast of relationships being formed between characters.”

Seeking support

As his first directorial venture, Mehta funded much of the pilot of Different Worlds, which was shot almost entirely in the Moreton Bay Region as COVID-19 restrictions came to an end in mid-2020.

He is currently sourcing funding to produce future episodes of what he hopes will be a three series web production by pitching to production companies and through a crowd-funding page.

Make a donation or watch the trailer here. For more information email [email protected]

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