Draft:Basement Reels

Basement Reels

Basement Reels is a Canadian digital media studio and YouTube channel founded in 2015 by Krusan Siva and Tharshan Rajendiram. The studio is dedicated to bringing South Asian stories to the forefront through unique and engaging storytelling. Known for their comedy sketches, short films, and podcasts, the channel has garnered millions of views and achieved recognition for its cultural representation and humorous take on social issues.

History and Overview

Basement Reels was established in 2015 to address the lack of authentic South Asian representation in mainstream media. Over the years, the studio has produced more than 200 comedy sketches and short films that have achieved viral success on YouTube, with total viewership exceeding 20 million globally.

Their productions have been selected for screening at prestigious events like the Chennai Rainbow Film Festival and IFFSA Toronto. In 2019, the studio was featured on CBC’s "Our Toronto", where Marivel Taruc interviewed the founders about their contributions to South Asian storytelling.

Major Projects

The Misadventure of Unlikely Heroes

The Misadventure of Unlikely Heroes is Basement Reels’ first feature film, a socially conscious thriller. The story follows two best friends, Chris and Vijay, who are quarantined in a government facility after testing positive for a virus. As the pair attempts to escape, the film explores themes of racism, freedom, police brutality, and systemic oppression.

Film Details:

Release Date: October 14, 2022
Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Mystery
Language: English, Tamil
Filming Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Budget: Approximately CA$25,000
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10 (based on 44 reviews)

Main Cast and Roles:

Krusan Siva as Vijay
Tharshan Rajendiram as Chris
Elia Palagashvili as Dr. Julia
Thulasiya Sriskandarajan as Nurse Priya

Music Composer:

Pravin Mani – An award-winning Indian musician known for collaborations with A.R. Rahman. He has worked on notable films such as Alaipayuthey and Enthiran.

Availability: The film is available for streaming on platforms such as:

Tubi TV
Amazon Prime Video

Normal Tamil Family

Normal Tamil Family is a web series that humorously portrays the dynamics of a typical Tamil family, showcasing the cultural nuances and challenges faced by the South Asian diaspora.

Dirty 30s

Dirty 30s is a satirical short film exploring the societal pressures faced by unmarried women turning 30. It showcases Basement Reels' ability to address social issues with humor and relatability.

Punch Dialogue Podcast

The Punch Dialogue Podcast is hosted by Krusan Siva and Tharshan Rajendiram. It focuses on breaking barriers as South Asians in the creative industries, exploring topics like representation, cultural challenges, and storytelling.

Notable Guests Include:

DJ Lady Pista
Director Ranjith Joseph
Comedian David Billa
Stand-up Comedian Sunthar V.
Music Composer Pravin Mani
Comedian and Actor Chinnathamizha

Founders

Krusan Siva is a Canadian director, screenwriter, and actor. He began his career with the award-winning short film Recreate (2014), which won the Emerging Filmmaker’s Award at the Toronto Urban Film Festival. He is known for creating projects that highlight South Asian experiences, such as Dirty 30s and Normal Tamil Family. Krusan continues to write for film and TV, focusing on stories from the South Asian diaspora.

Tharshan Rajendiram is a filmmaker, writer, producer, and actor. Known for blending comedy and drama, his short films such as Sex Before Marriage and Broken went viral on social media, earning widespread acclaim for addressing South Asian societal issues. Tharshan is celebrated for his realistic acting and comedic writing.

Recognition

Poster for *The Misadventure of Unlikely Heroes* release day event.

Basement Reels and their projects have been recognized for their contributions to South Asian storytelling. Key highlights include:

Film Festival Screenings:

Chennai Rainbow Film Festival
IFFSA Toronto

Media Features:

Featured on CBC’s "Our Toronto" with Marivel Taruc

Other Publications

Tamil Culture
The Eyeopener

Impact

Basement Reels has inspired a new wave of South Asian creators by providing a platform for underrepresented voices. Through their films, podcasts, and web series, they address critical issues such as racism, representation, and diaspora identity, fostering meaningful dialogue within their community.