How a Google Glass short film launched a rising cinematic talent
In short: Before directing high-stakes thrillers, Aneesh Chaganty was making internet sensations. His two-minute short for Google Glass achieved over 1 million YouTube views in just 24 hours, a feat that eventually propelled him from digital commercials to the heights of Sundance and major streaming platforms.
Aneesh Chaganty, an American director and screenwriter born in either 1991 or 1992, has become a notable voice in modern thriller filmmaking. Raised in San Jose, California, by parents who emigrated from Andhra Pradesh, India, Chaganty’s background is rooted in a family with strong technical ties. His father, a Drexel University graduate in computer engineering, serves as the CTO of the family-founded company AppEnsure Inc.
Chaganty’s career trajectory is marked by a seamless transition from short-form digital content to major feature films. In 2014, his Google Glass spot, "Seeds," became an internet sensation, garnering more than 1 million YouTube views within a single day. Following that achievement, he spent two years at Google Creative Lab in New York City, overseeing commercials such as a Super Bowl advertisement.
His directorial debut, the 2018 thriller "Searching," was originally conceived as a short film before being elevated to a feature. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2018, where it won the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize. Chaganty followed this success with the thriller "Run," which, despite pandemic-related delays, became Hulu's most watched feature title during its opening weekend, surpassing both Hulu Originals and licensed SVOD titles.
Chaganty continues to experiment with new technologies. In 2024, he collaborated with Meta and Blumhouse to create "i h8 ai," a short film utilizing Meta Movie Gen, an AI video generating tool. His rising influence was recognized by Forbes, which included him in the 2019 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment list.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Aneesh Chaganty
- Also: Wikidata — Aneesh Chaganty · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-aneesh-chaganty.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Film genres · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
