For Here or To Go? tells the story of Vivek, a young software engineer living in San Francisco whose work visa is expiring in less than a year. Vivek must decide whether to fight to keep his dream alive or return home to India. The comedy-drama film highlights the aspirations of young immigrant professionals and the legal visa battles they face.

“Nobody was telling the story,” says Bhilawadikar. “This in-between period where you’re trying to get accepted, you’re trying to assimilate, or make life home away from home — nobody tells that story. Hopefully this is that story.”

The film features a strong cast of Indian and Indian-American actors. In the film, Vivek lives with two roommates, each at different stages of the immigration process, and each with their own frustrations. “It’s very American in mind, but Indian at heart,” says Bhilawadikar.

Bhilawadikar drew on his own experiences as a tech professional on a work visa, as well as those of his friends. He also worked with community members, policymakers and immigration lawyers as part of the research for the film.

“There’s no authentic media or legal representation for an immigrant like me or millions of others who come in here legally and are stuck in greencard queues for the longest time,” Rishi says. “The best, most productive years of somebody’s life and [they are restricted by] a [system] that’s really archaic.”

As a first-time screenplay writer, Bhilawadikar approached it like any other work project. “As an engineer and designer, I love to solve a problem. For me, this is a product. It’s a solution to create empathy. What better way to do it than a film?”

The film has resonated with viewers around the world at film festivals across North America, India, England and Australia. Now Bhilawadikar is working hard to distribute the film to more mainstream audiences as well as policy and law forums during this election year.

“Hopefully you see more of these [characters] in media and that inspires you to take action,” Bhilawadikar says.

Learn more about the film here.