#SHOWBIZ: Mini-mart meltdown turns cinematic gold

New Straits Times

2 days ago

IT'S 2am. Fluorescent lights buzz overhead. Someone's voice echoes through the empty convenience store, caught in between the aisles.
Sounds of conflict begin to escalate, piercing the silence of the serene hour.
The cashier watches, probably wondering if this is what they signed up for during the night shift.
These viral mini-mart meltdown videos scroll past most of our feeds as fleeting Internet entertainment.
But for 25-year-old Sanadtkumar Ganesan, they were pure inspiration.
"I kept seeing these videos of people having heated arguments in mini marts," he says in a recent interview.
"I found myself drawn to the tension beneath the surface."
He found himself wondering about the stories behind those moments of public breakdown.
"What drives someone to vent at 2am in public? What are they going through?"
That curiosity became 'Late Night Mini-Mart', a short film about four strangers whose lives collide in an unexpected emotional crossroad.
Between shelves of snacks and under harsh lighting, vulnerability meets frustration meets genuine human connection.
COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
Sanadtkumar assembled four non-actors for his cast, including Malaysian stand-up comedian Asuraajan.
"None of them had acting experience," he says.
Two weeks of rehearsals focused on character understanding and building authentic chemistry between the performers.
Sanadtkumar's keen observation has resonated with viewers and made an impact.
The short film featuring a Selayang mini mart just won Best International Short at the TFS FEST 2025 Pinnacle Awards Gala in Toronto.
The film beat international entries, chosen by Toronto Film School students who recognised its storytelling, direction, editing and production quality.
During his acceptance speech at TIFF Lightbox Cinema 1, Sanadtkumar said: "This film came from a place of wanting to push past self-doubt and fear. We're more than our limits, and I hope this film reminds people of that."
The production was a masterclass in efficiency, shot over two nights from 10pm to 3am.
The team transformed an actual mini mart in Selayang into their film set.
"Everything had to be well planned," Sanadtkumar recalls.
The tight schedule meant every decision mattered, every shot counted.
Behind the camera, the small production team wore multiple hats.
Sanadtkumar co-directed, coordinated and managed the crew while fielding constant questions from every department.
"Directing is really about answering questions," he explains.
"Why this makeup? Why this costume? Why this timing? You're constantly making decisions and offering clarity."
The collaborative energy kept him motivated.
"Eventually, you're surrounded by people who ask thoughtful questions, and you get to collaborate by finding the right answers together."
CREATING MEANINGFUL WORK
This international recognition caps a creative journey that began early.
At 14, Sanadtkumar met longtime collaborator Rammya, who invited him to edit a music video.
"I was just a kid who loved movies and edited videos of my own, but she gave me a real chance."
That moment of belief laid the groundwork for ET Boost Productions, their company handling film production, photography, publicity and digital campaigns.
His drive for impact showed up young. At 15, he co-founded Ascendance, a youth initiative now reaching more than 55,000 students across 26 countries.
"It started with three close friends. We were the kind of kids who brainstormed social impact projects together."
His teacher parents influenced his path. Watching them help students beyond the classroom shaped his desire to create meaningful work.
His filmmaking heroes reflect this sensibility: Christopher Nolan, Kamal Haasan, and especially the late Yasmin Ahmad, whose 'Talentime' remains his all-time favourite.
"It changed my life," he says, crediting her for showing how Malaysian stories can resonate globally.
Currently in Canada, Sanadtkumar meets with industry figures like Andrew Mayer, executive producer of 'Schitt's Creek', while developing his next project.
The details remain under wraps, but his mission stays clear: "Keep growing, keep learning.
"When you lean into your strengths, you'll start to understand how you can impact the world."
From viral video inspiration to international awards, Sanadtkumar has turned late-night mini-mart chaos into cinematic gold.
Watch 'Late Night Mini-Mart" on the ET Boost YouTube channel.