Aabir Vyas’s short film, Give Me Love, which he wrote, directed, and starred in as the lead, has been nominated at over 10 film festivals, both in India and abroad. The film has been recognized in cities like London, Austin, Tokyo, and Los Angeles, in categories such as Best Leading Actor, Best Short Film, and more. To date, the film has already secured two awards.
Aabir, a Method actor trained at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York City, originally hails from India. His journey began at a young age, creating videos on social media. He learned the ropes of acting, directing, and writing all by himself, and eventually built a massive fan following for his acting talent and impeccable comic timing. This growing popularity led him to NYC, where he decided to train professionally in acting. The skills he cultivated in his early years were crucial when he later decided to make a film in NYC.
When asked how the idea for Give Me Love came about, Aabir shared, “I’ve always been an observant person, whether it’s my own life or the lives of others. As an actor, I use this skill in my work. I remember sitting in a café in NYC in January 2023, listening to Suspicious Minds by Elvis Presley. Suddenly, I opened my laptop and began writing a story. It felt like the words were flowing out of me. I finished the script in two hours, and by the end of it, I realized I was in tears. Give Me Love tells the story of a young couple struggling to balance love and independence. She craves more time together, while he yearns for space and trust. As their opposing desires collide, they face the ultimate test—can their relationship survive, or are they destined to fall apart? It’s a phase every relationship goes through, where both partners feel they’re right and believe the other should be more understanding. This story is deeply personal to me, as it draws from my own life experiences, which makes it incredibly special.”
On the challenge of directing and acting in the film, Aabir added, “Initially, I wasn’t planning to direct it. I pitched the story to several directors who liked it, but something inside me kept saying that I should direct it myself. I had written it, and since it was based on my own experiences, I felt I could bring it to life exactly as I envisioned. It was challenging at first, but my experience came in handy. Before shooting, I did a three-week rehearsal with my talented co-actor, Leia Jacoutot, who happens to be the daughter of French actress Emmanuelle Boidron, known for her role as Yolande in the TV series Navarro. The rehearsal was crucial, as I wanted to shoot in a more theater-style approach, with fewer cuts and more long takes to make the scenes feel real. There’s even a seven-minute one-take scene in the film that I’m especially proud of. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed directing and acting in this film, and I’m incredibly grateful that it’s been nominated for Best Film, and I’ve been nominated for Best Male Actor. I look forward to making more films in the future.”
And he did. Aabir went on to make another short film titled Abs by Chance, where he stars alongside Rupaalii Sonwani and Drishti Manju. This comedy film, shot in New York City, revolves around a couple who try to spice up their love life by introducing a third person. The film earned Aabir nominations for Best Screenplay, Best Comedy, and Best Directing at the Lee Strasberg 3×5 Film Festival.
Aabir is a versatile performer, trained in both theater and film. Between 2022 and 2023, he was seen in several productions in New York, including the off-Broadway musical Ramaavan, performed at the Cullum Theatre, Katha at The Marilyn Monroe Theatre, and the Global Drama Project at Under St. Marks Theater. He also traveled to Florida to participate in the annual Krishna Show, directed by Sonalee Vyas Dance Company, where he played the key role of Duryodhana from the Mahabharata.
Aabir’s work is making waves in the South Asian cultural scene, and his efforts to promote the community are commendable. Recently, he was featured on a billboard in Mumbai for a Flipkart ad, and he starred in a new commercial for Motorola, where his charisma earned him the title of Motorola’s new brand representative.
Aabir’s upcoming projects include Soot, Char, and Ashes, directed by Ashique Shahir, in which he plays the lead role of a young immigrant facing a difficult chapter in his life.
