A recent highlight has emerged from a Dubai school in an era when global cinema is becoming increasingly intertwined. A Gems Modern Academy (GMA) ninth-grade student is captivated by her performance in an Indo-Jordanian film, demonstrating the potential of young talent and the cross-cultural exchange in the film industry.
“Yellow Bus” has already received praise from around the world. The film, which was shown in Saudi Arabian theaters and on OSN+ in the UAE, has captivated both audiences and critics. Not only has Aarushi Laud’s performance in the movie been a significant turning point in her burgeoning acting career, but it has also earned her prestigious awards. The film has already won the Best Film Award at the Johannesburg Film Festival in South Africa and the World Vision Award for Best Film at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, California.
The Asia premiere was held at MAMI, Mumbai Film Festival in India, while the world premiere was held at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film was likewise screened at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Social Center in Mumbai. Why ‘Yellow Transport’? The film delves into a harrowing story, inspired by previous incidents in which schoolchildren tragically lost their lives after being left inside scorching school buses. An Indian woman living in the Gulf sets out on an unrelenting search for the truth and justice after discovering that her daughter was left on a school bus in the scorching desert heat.
Addressing Khaleej Times about her experience of shooting in the film, Aarushi Commend who played the sister to the young lady who passed on in the story, said, “I felt a blend of feelings while shooting. I was exceptionally energized at first however while the shooting began and I saw the enormous recording cameras, mouthpieces, and the set, I got a piece anxious.” “However, the film’s writer and director, Wendy Bednarz, who is also a faculty member at NYU Abu Dhabi, really assisted me in becoming accustomed to the other actors on the set. So, there were a lot of feelings, but in the end, I was proud of myself and what I had accomplished. “It was exhausting to shoot a few scenes, but I kept my enthusiasm and had a lot of fun throughout.” She made sense of the shooting of the film went on in Abu Dhabi for about a month.
“I was in Grade 6 then, so I was a lot more youthful that time. We used to begin shooting around 7am and it happened till night. However, there were shorter days. The now-grade 9 student shed light on a few obstacles along the way, stating, “Sometimes, I had to do many takes to get that perfect shot.” Every actor had to memorize the dialogue a day before shooting, and I sometimes had to do 15 takes. It was also a lot of work. However, it was an excellent learning experience,” the student added. Aarushi had previously auditioned for a few commercials before she came across this project by chance. Mixfame is a casting agency in the United States. My folks had marked me up for certain jobs. I auditioned for a few commercials, but I was unsuccessful. Later, I came across the “Yellow Bus” and auditioned for the role, which I won. I have forever been keen on acting and theater,” added the now 13-year-old. When the filming began simultaneously with her Grade 6 Term II exams, she faced a dilemma.
“I didn’t take the exams that time, but my school really supported me and encouraged me to do it because it was a big project,” “I didn’t take the exams that time.” Singing and acting as a career She cited her parents, the school she attended, and her American director as examples of how families and institutions can significantly influence and encourage talented young people to pursue their interests. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the sets that one month,” she continued. It was improving. People from Jordanian, Indian, Lebanese, and Syrian nationalities made up the entire crew.
The student, who recently passed the London Grade 8 vocal Trinity exam, is also enthusiastic about singing Pop and Rock. Aarushi, who tries to seek after a profession in singing and acting, plans to investigate open doors in the UAE and the US later on. Sharing her fervor after her loved ones saw her on the cinema, she expressed, “Two of my school companions watched the film and were excited to see me on screen. My extended family traveled from various parts of India to attend the Mumbai premiere. That was really endearing.”
