Geetu Mohandas is a force to reckon with in the film industry. Cinema is her passion, and over the last few years, she has crossed milestones in independent filmmaking that most directors can only dream of.

Geetu weaves beautiful stories through her films. Her masterpieces have consistently received not just national, but also worldwide acclaim.

ParentCircle was excited to catch up with Geetu and hear her story – one of grit, dreams and passion. She shares about her family upbringing, her life as a mommy and about finding an independent voice in an industry that is all-too-marred by sexism. Here are the excerpts...

Q: What does Women's Day mean to you?

A: I think as women, we need to celebrate ourselves every day because that is just how it should be. It's not just about one particular day. And it should not be just about others celebrating us, we need to celebrate ourselves every day.

Q: What's your take on gender equality, especially in the cinema industry?

A: I think women have come a long way. Today, more women are breaking barriers and venturing into the film industry. And yes, this industry is a male-dominated world with patriarchy looming over us. So, it has been very difficult for women to get a foothold here. But that scenario is fast changing, with several women graduating from film institutions and venturing into the field. I think, in Bollywood, the scene is much better, compared to the Malayalam film industry, but the progress is still laudable. We also witness families being more receptive to the idea of sending their daughters into this profession, now more than ever. This comes from education, awareness and understanding the craft. It's still not an equal space, but it's getting there. And several organizations, like the Women in Cinema Collective, churn out work and empower women. I'm positive that it's going to be a better place for us.

Q: What has been the most memorable moment of your career?

A: It was overwhelming to get an Oscar nomination for my first film. That was an unforgettable moment for me. The Global Filmmaking Award that I won at Sundance 2016 was also quite memorable. These recognitions are good incentives that keep us going and stay motivated. But these should not define our work; we should continue telling the stories that we want to tell.

Q: Tell us about the Oscars! What was the experience like?

A: It was a great experience, all of us went to Los Angeles (LA) and had several screenings. There were a lot of things we needed to do, like meeting with the media and hosting screenings of the film. We stayed for a month in LA, invested in all this, and we ended up spending a lot of money. This was our first experience and we didn't know what to expect. But it was a wonderful experience for all of us to have met different types of people. It was a great networking space as well.

Q: You are an actor and a director. But coming to your role as a parent, how do you raise your little daughter?

A: When my daughter was very young, I kept her away from iPads, phones and television for the longest time. Now that she is six, I let her indulge in a little screen time now and then. I have seen children getting hooked to these gadgets at a very young age and I didn't want that her. I grew up in a time where kids ventured out to play, explore and interact. So, keeping her off gadgets was something I was very clear about. And I'm glad I stuck to it, as because of that, she has taken up to reading, dancing and music.

Apart from that, as a parent, I don't stress much and I don't always dictate. I let her be herself and make her own little choices in her own little world. I love listening to her; and she makes very intelligent suggestions sometimes which surprises me, hearing them from that young little mind. And she is a very loving and easy child, and so it's been kind of easy to raise her. So, I just go with the flow in terms of parenting.

Q: What is it like raising a girl in a male-dominated world?

A: I have an older brother. Our parents raised us to have similar dreams and goals. My father always made me believe that there is nothing that I can't do that my brother can. He always made me and my brother believe that we could be the best in what we do. I'm lucky to have received such an upbringing.

I'm hoping to raise my daughter the same way – give her the same values and opportunities. We are privileged and when you talk from a privileged space, you should speak for others who are not as fortunate as you. I would like my daughter to understand her privilege and not misuse it.

Q: How do you manage the responsibilities of work, home and raising your daughter?

A: I practice not feeling guilty because guilt is something that all working mothers struggle with. They feel since they are working, they are not spending quality time with their children. I too have had phases of guilt. But I have come to realize that I need to fuel my own soul, work and be happy myself, to be a happy mother for her. My daughter understands that work is important for me.

When my daughter was very little, my mother would travel with me and my child to various shooting locations, so that my child was not away from me. But now that she is going to school, she can't miss classes. So there have been instances where I have been away from her for a couple of weeks. But then again, I feel children adjust better than parents. What is important is not to feel guilty about your work, and not to feel guilty about being a parent who works.

Q: How do you and your daughter spend quality time together?

Well, she likes to meet my friends' children who are her age. She is very friendly and loves spending time with her friends. We also tend to do activities as a family together – reading, playing chess and so on.

Q: How do your spouse and in-laws support your growth and career?

A: They are extremely supportive and proud of my achievements. Rajeev, my husband, is a filmmaker and cinematographer himself, and we have a hand-in-glove existence. We've worked together on all of my films. So we know each other's work and what that entails. It's a nice creative space where we share ideas and support each other.

Q: Can you share a challenging moment in your life and how you overcame it?

A: I think losing my father was a big moment in my life. And I don't think one ever gets over such emotions or tragedy in life. I have come to realize that I am him and he's living through me. I realize that my brother and I have inherited certain mannerisms from my father. I realize he has not gone anywhere but has just passed on his legacy. And that realization is what makes me feel better about his loss, or makes me look at it in a different way. Otherwise, it was very difficult for me to get over that.

Q: If you could change something you've done in your life what would that be?

A: Maybe, a lot of choices. But I had to go through those in order to become the person I am today. Sometimes I feel that I should have studied better, or I could have done this movie first, or I should have moved here – there are so many choices that one thinks should have been done differently. But at the end of the day that does not matter because you have to look at where you are today; good or bad, whatever it is, this is you and the choices you have made in your life brought you to this point. And you had to go through all that you did in order to get where you are today. I think it all works out and you come a full circle.

Q: Any favorite inspirational quote that keeps you going?

A: When I was a kid, people used to ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I used to say something new every time, depending on my mood. I remember something my dad told me that stuck with me. He said, "If you want to be a barber, make sure you are the best barber in the town." I didn't understand its meaning then, but today I do. Whatever you do enjoy it and give it your best.

Q: Who is a woman you look up to and why?

A: My mother, for sure, for so many reasons. I am what I am because of so many sacrifices that she and my father have made in their lives.