Two new films. Screening in Chicago, Toronto and Florida.

PosterSaala Sean Saala Sean poster
Official Selection · World premiere September 17

Saala Sean

Written, directed and produced by JD Rao · Drama · 10 min · Hinglish and Bambaiya with English subtitles

Two Bandra boys, now forty-five, one in New York and one who never left, reunite to surprise an old friend. The day doesn't go as planned.

Chicago South Asian Film Festival 2026, Official SelectionIFFSA Toronto 2026, Official SelectionSavoir-faire Shorts Festival, Florida 2026, Official Selection
Chicago screening IFFSA Toronto FLIFF Florida Request a screener
PosterProject Project poster
Official Selection · Toronto, October

Project

Written, directed and produced by JD Rao · Thriller · 10 min · Hindi and English with English subtitles

Four days. Three lives. Two cities. One project.

Ved flies to Mumbai. His boss gives him four days, no explanations. Back home in New York, Jasleen is days away from what she's spent two years working for. One of them will have to sacrifice their work for love. Who will it be? The project will not close itself.

IFFSA Toronto 2026, Official Selection
IFFSA Toronto Request a screener

JD Films

We develop and produce films and series about the South Asian diaspora.

JD Films is a New York production company. We make our own films, and we want to make more with other people. If you are a filmmaker telling stories about the diaspora, we would like to collaborate, and to produce your work.

Producers, programmers and partners: get in touch.

Work with us

Directing

Written and directed by JD Rao.

PosterSaala SeanSaala Sean
Saala Sean2026 · Drama · Writer / DirectorChicago South Asian FF · IFFSA Toronto · FLIFF
PosterProjectProject
Project2026 · Thriller · Writer / DirectorIFFSA Toronto
Watch on YouTubeReframeReframeWatch
ReframeMay 2023 · Drama comedy · Writer / Director
Watch on YouTubeMy Cookie!My Cookie!Watch
My Cookie!December 2023 · Sketch comedy · Writer / Director

Acting

Selected roles. JD Rao is available for film, series and commercial work in New York.

Watch on VimeoProvisionsProvisionsWatch
ProvisionsApril 2024 · Drama · Lakshyadir. Abdullah Kokash
Watch on YouTubeDopplepondDopplepondWatch
DopplepondMarch 2024 · Romantic comedy · Roridir. Sue-Ming Frauenhofer
Watch on YouTubeLa Troolio's GambitLa Troolio's GambitWatch
La Troolio's GambitMay 2023 · Crime thriller · Robert La Trooliodir. Nate Garcia
JD Rao

About

I'm a NYC based actor and filmmaker. After a career in consulting and finance, I took some courses at the New York Film Academy (as well as Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, School of Visual Arts, Upright Citizens Brigade, Second City) and started acting in films and making films, with a focus on South Asian stories. I am enjoying this new phase of learning and creating and am currently researching and writing a web series. I grew up in Mumbai and enjoy staying connected with industry professionals at both places.

Get in touch.

Screeners, festivals, collaborations, casting.

jdfilmsandtv [at] gmail [dot] com @jdfilmsnyc