‘Stories Must Engage; Not Just Exist’: Babita Ashiwal

Babita Ashiwal’s romance with stories started when she was just a little girl, listening to bedtime tales and poetry from her grandmother and uncle. Those early days of curiosity and nostalgia continue to influence her work as a filmmaker, cinematographer, and founder of the production house Eunoia Films. “Storytelling came naturally to me,” she recalled. “For me, it is about keeping the audience engaged. If my stories can hold your attention, I’ve done my job.”

Today, that instinct for heartfelt, fascinating stories translates to her recent project, Maa Ka Sum, a tender and binge-worthy mother-son drama series that follows a 19-year-old math genius, Agastya (played by Mihir Ahuja), on a mission to find the perfect romantic match for his single mom, Vinitha (Mona Singh). 

As executive producer, Babita brings emotional authenticity to the series, inspired by her own experience as a single parent to a teenager. “A lot of my own life has gone into this story. The relationship between the mother and son is very similar to what I share with my own child,” she shared.

Maa Ka Sum captures the tension between guidance and boundaries that most parents of teens navigate. “I treat my son almost like an equal,” Babita revealed. “I involve him in decisions because, at the end of the day, it’s just the two of us. That dynamic naturally found its way into the story.”

The series approaches the symbiotic relationship of a single mom and son in an honest and refreshingly uncloying way. It carefully strikes a balance between the responsibilities of motherhood and a woman’s individual identity, portraying her personal growth and ambitions beyond caregiving.

The Responsibility Of Storytelling

From Maa Ka Sum to Paatal Lok, for Babita, every project is intentional – a way of connecting and understanding people. At her production house Eunoia (which is derived from the Greek term for ‘beautiful minds’), her approach has evolved into what she describes as “conscious storytelling.” 

I don’t like telling empty stories; they should always have some meaning. -Babita Ashiwal

Whether it is a comedy or a thriller, Babita believes that storytelling is as much about responsibility as it is about creativity. “When I am telling a story, I must respect the audience’s intelligence. Even if it is a comedy, it cannot be empty. It should have some meaning or purpose.”

Babita’s journey as an entrepreneur has been equally defining. “When you’re responsible not just for your vision but for a team of people who depend on you, it changes everything,” she reflects. “Ensuring stability, managing expectations, and continuing to create can be a difficult balance.”

Still, it is this multifaceted journey shape her voice as a nuanced storyteller. Today, her definition of success is profound. “Success is being able to do whatever I want. If I want to make a film, I should be able to make it without worrying about money or consequences. That is success to me.”

With Maa Ka Sum, Babita Ashiwal moves closer to that vision, putting a fragment of her personal journey and imagination into a universally relatable show.