
Ascend Jiva

Boston, MA – The much-anticipated short film Two Steps has officially wrapped filming, and excitement is already building for its release this Christmas. A joint production by Seema Chaudhary Productions, Aashita Shekhar Productions, and Friday Films, the film is directed by Nita Pednekar and written by Hemant M. Pandya.
At its heart, Two Steps is more than just a film — it is a shining example of the power of women in cinema. The story itself is woman-centric, rooted in depth, strength, and emotional truth. Behind the camera and at the helm is a woman director, boldly stepping into her debut with courage, clarity, and heart. Supporting her vision are two remarkable women whose determination and artistry carried the project forward and brought this story to life.
This combination makes Two Steps not only a film but also a statement — a reminder that women’s voices in storytelling are transformative, necessary, and unstoppable. It celebrates resilience, creativity, and the ability of women to break barriers and build bridges in an industry that thrives on fresh perspectives.
In every frame, Two Steps honors the spirit of womanhood — the strength to begin, the grace to endure, and the vision to create something timeless. It is a cinematic offering born from courage, nurtured with passion, and destined to inspire.
From its very first day on set, Two Steps has carried a heartbeat of passion, resilience, and artistry. It is not just a film — it is a journey of reunion and reckoning, of emotions that leave a lasting mark. As the poster beautifully recalls Maya Angelou’s words:
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
And that is exactly what Two Steps promises: a story you won’t just watch, but one you will feel.
The Courage of New Beginnings
For director Nita Pednekar, this project marks her directorial debut — a leap of courage, heart, and vision. She reflected with moving honesty:
“Dreams have a way of testing us, but today one step becomes real. With gratitude, excitement, and a little nervousness, I step onto set for the very first time as director. May this journey be full of learning, creativity, and magic. Here’s to beginnings!”
Her words remind us that every masterpiece starts with a first step — and Two Steps is the birth of something magical.
A Journey of Passion and Teamwork
For writer Hemant M. Pandya, this film is the result of countless nights of dedication and a collective spirit:
“I’m proud to share that we have finally completed filming our short film TWO STEPS. This has been a journey filled with passion, creativity, long nights, and teamwork. My heartfelt thanks to the entire cast & crew—for your dedication, patience, and energy in bringing this story to life. Each one of you gave your best, stood by through every moment, and made this possible. Special thanks to Nita Pednekar, Seema Chaudhary & Aashita Shekhar for being the backbone of this project and helping us create a family on set. Together we have built something meaningful, and I cannot wait to share it with the world soon.”
Hemant’s words capture the essence of Two Steps: it is not only a film, but a family, a community, and a testament to what happens when creativity meets commitment.
The Ensemble that Brings It Alive
With its sweeping themes of connection and emotional truth, Two Steps is powered by a remarkable cast whose performances promise to leave audiences deeply moved.
Seema Chaudhary, Aashita Shekhar, Vernika Singh, Aarna Shekhar, Aleysha Sen, Trisha Iyer, Rajeev Nohria, Abhishek Singh, Raj Gupta, Raju Singla, Lana Israel, Manish Dhall, Shilpi Alagh, Gopika Narula, Seema Arora, Lakshmi Puranik, Manisha Parwani, Abhishek Arora, Anirudh Doli, Cini, Eshani Shah, Kajal Kaushik, Priyanka Duggar, Sonali Khond, Arun Khond, Ramya Kotagiri.
Every name on this list has poured heart and soul into creating moments of authenticity on screen.
The Masters Behind the Lens
The richness of Two Steps comes not only from its cast but also from its powerhouse crew:
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Director: Nita Pednekar
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Writer: Hemant M. Pandya
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Producers: Aashita Shekhar, Seema Chaudhary
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Cinematographer: Nicholas Pietroniro
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Editor: Karl Rayan Erikson
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Sound Recordist: Colin Keyes
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Additional Writing: Ritika B.
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Executive Producers: Vijay Raj Singh, Ashutosh Shekhar
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Production Manager: Rajeev Nohria
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Hair & Make-up: Ramya Kotagiri
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Assistant Camera: Kat Holm
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Gaffer: Wes Ortiz
Special Thanks: City of Boston, Boston Police Department, Raju Singla, and Raj Gupta for their support and generosity with our beautiful location — courtesy of Raj Mahal. Together, they made this dream come alive.
A Producer’s Dream Realized
✨ Producer Seema Chaudhary shared:
“From concept to the final shot, Two Steps has been a true team effort — driven by purpose, built on trust, and backed by a crew that gave it everything. Collaborating with the brilliant director Nita Pednekar, whose heart and vision brought the story to life, alongside the visionary Hemant Pandya, has been an immensely rewarding creative journey — one built on trust, clarity, and a shared vision”
✨ Producer Aashita Shekhar shared:
“As a producer and actor, my heart is overflowing with gratitude. Two Steps has been built on a foundation of love, dedication, and resilience. Every actor, crew member, and supporter poured something irreplaceable into this journey. Under the vision of Hemant and Nita, the soul of this film has taken flight—alive with emotion, depth, and meaning. What we’ve created together is not just a film, but a story that will linger in hearts long after the screen fades”
Coming This Christmas: A Film to Remember
Two Steps is more than cinema — it is a story of hearts meeting, choices reckoning, and emotions remembered. With filming completed, the film now moves into post-production and is set to release Christmas 2025.
✨ When the lights fade and the screen awakens, Two Steps doesn’t just tell a story — it immerses you in one. This Christmas, step into a journey of reunion and reckoning that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
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