Yash Hatkar: Healing Through Comedy
Tell us about the origins of your journey as a South Asian creative. What led you down this path? What motivates you each day to do what you do?
I always loved movies and TV, as I thought it was a great medium through which ideas could be conveyed and inspire/impact people in ways every day life or interactions maybe can’t. It’s also cool to be able to “decide how the story goes” sometimes. I know now as I evolve through my journey, especially with my mental health, that I don’t have to know how the story goes. Nowadays, my art gives me the outlet and strength to express my healing and also vice versa. I like to believe that each step is one in the direction of my dreams and personal peace and happiness.
In your own words, why do you make your art?
I make my art to heal myself, and/or hopefully inspire others.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement thus far as a South Asian creative?
I think my standup show, Hattie, just because it shows me my ability to heal and reflect, and hopefully help others feel like they are not alone in their struggle, and that they can express their experiences too without shame. Hattie was created in the hopes of normalizing the conversation and people who are struggling with mental health and/or have attempted suicide and felt the sometimes, really scary, feelings that they do.
Who or what is your creative “role model” and/or serves as the greatest influence on your work?
Rajkumar Hirani, Christopher Nolan, and Quentin Tarantino
What is your creative “mantra?”
Create things that make people feel.
Desi culture often perpetuates disapproval of creative work as a full-time profession. Have you ever faced any backlash or internal/external barriers to your creative endeavors?
Yes. Growing up I wasn’t encouraged to pursue film due to the difficulties and uncertainties in the field regarding the path to success.
What do you envision for yourself in your future as a South Asian creative?
My dream is to be a filmmaker, I hope in the next few years I can create a following and find a platform for a show I co-created with my long time friend, called Upside Brown - @upsidebrownseries. I also hope over the next few years I can start development on an idea I have for a feature film.
I hope Hattie can also evolve so I can continue sharing my healing journey or perform any type of comedy in the future. I also hope I can find new creative ways with Hattie to help others struggling with mental health too.
What is your advice to aspiring South Asian creatives looking to explore their own artistry - but not necessarily having the resources or the support to do it?
I think what’s helpful for me is to start with baby steps. But I try to be intentional with the steps into figuring out what my end goal is, and how I want it to look, feel, sound, I try to imagine it as wholly as I can. From there, I work backwards and think, if I want this goal to happen, what has to happen right before that, and then keep going until I figure out what the first step may have to be. And then I try to just work one step at a time, and giving my self a clear timeline of when I’ll do the other steps, in a manageable way that’s not exhausting but still motivating.
Resources are closer than you realize, which is something I have learned over time. In today’s world, what’s really cool is that people can connect quickly through social media, and so if you keep looking for people you may want to work with or learn from, you just have to research a little, and keep asking people questions, working with each other, and being able to describe your vision. Some may be on board and some may not, those who want to, you guys can work in a way that’s best for you all. Keep an open mind and always be willing to seek help and advice because people who really want to help you will help you see things you didn’t, and thus help you grow into the creative you want to be.