Rubathinesh Nair, the creative force behind Lane Ventures Productions, is an emerging writer, director, and editor making his mark in the world of cinema. Best known for his compelling short films Ruby and Bad Days Don’t Last, Rubathinesh has built an impressive portfolio that spans numerous short films, commercials, and advertisements under the Lane Ventures banner.
Though he originally comes from an engineering background, having graduated with a degree in civil engineering, Rubathinesh’s true passion has always been filmmaking. Driven by this deep-rooted love for storytelling and visual art, he made the bold decision to transition into the world of film. Over the past eight years, he has honed his craft and steadily emerged as a promising and dynamic talent in the industry.
“When I finished my SPM, I had always dreamed of becoming a film director. But I was afraid to pursue a course related to filmmaking. There has always been a stereotype that studying something in the field of filmmaking isn’t practical — that if you don’t get the right opportunities, you won’t be able to find other jobs. People often say you can’t survive in this industry without a full-time job in another field as a backup. That fear stayed with me for many years. That’s why I chose to continue my higher education in engineering.
However, my passion, dedication, and continuous learning in filmmaking have shaped me into the person I am today. I’ve learned a lot, and I’m still growing,” said Rubathinesh.
Malaysian audiences should explore and support Malaysian Tamil cinema and other local creative projects. This support serves as a powerful motivation for everyone in the industry — from those in front of the camera to those working behind the scenes — to push their boundaries and continuously improve their craft in order to meet the expectations of their audiences.
With stronger audience support, the industry can produce higher quality content and gradually become a sustainable space where individuals can confidently pursue filmmaking as a full-time career. We are already heading in that direction. Our filmmaking and creative projects have evolved significantly, showing great progress in terms of quality and professionalism.
The Evolution of Lane Ventures Productions
Lane Ventures Productions was initially founded in 2017 by a group of Rubathinesh’s friends. In 2018, Rubathinesh joined the team to direct his short film under the Lane Ventures banner. Over time, as the original members became occupied with their studies, careers, and personal lives, the dynamic of the team began to shift.
Today, Lane Ventures is run by Rubathinesh and fellow member Yuveen. What began as a passion project focused on short films has now grown into a full-fledged production company that also produces TV commercials. Currently, the duo is taking bold steps toward developing feature films, marking an exciting new chapter for Lane Ventures Productions.
Rubathinesh’s First Foray into Filmmaking with Eleventh Hour
During his secondary school years, Rubathinesh, received praise for his essays and short stories — early signs of his natural storytelling ability. These affirmations helped him realize his talent and gave him the confidence that would later fuel his passion for filmmaking.
His first step into the world of film came with the short film Eleventh Hour, produced shortly after the inception of Lane Ventures Productions. A friend of Ruba’s had a script, and together, they developed and co-directed the project. It was Ruba’s very first experience in filmmaking.
However, midway through production, most of the team members received university offers and had to leave to pursue their studies. Determined not to abandon the project, Ruba took the lead and saw it through to completion. The journey was far from easy. He faced significant challenges — from managing shooting schedules to handling financial constraints — all while navigating the steep learning curve of first-time filmmaking.
Despite the hurdles, his passion — along with the support of his family and his friend’s family, who even offered their home as a filming location — kept him going. Although Eleventh Hour didn’t turn out as well as he had hoped, it became a valuable learning experience that laid the foundation for his growth as a filmmaker.
Bad Days Don’t Last: A Festival Success Story
In 2024, Rubathinesh directed a short film titled Bad Days Don’t Last, featuring Irfan Zaini, Kris Jay, and Rubini Sambanthan in the lead roles. The film was originally created as a submission for the ‘Frame to Fame’ short film competition organized by Lyca Productions. The team submitted their entry in March of that year; however, there have been no updates or official announcements from Lyca Productions regarding the competition’s progress since then.
Rather than letting the film sit idle, the team decided to submit it to various film festivals. Bad Days Don’t Last went on to receive widespread acclaim and won several awards, a testament to its quality and the strength of its storytelling.
The short film Bad Days Don’t Last received notable recognition on the international festival circuit. It was officially selected for Best Editing at both the Golden Lion Short Film Festival in Italy and the Golden Bridge Istanbul Short Film Festival in Turkey. Additionally, the film achieved significant success at the Golden Lion International Film Festival in India, where it won Best Editing and Best International Short Film. Further adding to its accolades, Bad Days Don’t Last was awarded Best Cinematography at the Absurd Film Festival in Italy.
Adding to the excitement, actor Irfan had the opportunity to share glimpses of Bad Days Don’t Last with renowned Kollywood figures, including director Venkat Prabhu and actor Thalapathy Vijay. Both praised the film’s high production quality and commended the young team for their evident talent and passion. They were especially impressed to learn that the film was produced by Malaysians, which further underscored its international appeal and the potential of Malaysian talent on the global stage.
Why Bad Days Don’t Last Deserves a Feature Film
“That gave me the confidence that we had created something truly special,” said Rubathinesh. “I believe Bad Days Don’t Last has the potential to be expanded into a feature film.”
Before taking the next steps, the team held a premiere for the short film, inviting directors, producers, and artists to view their work. The film received positive acclaim from those in attendance, further validating the quality of the project and its potential for future growth.
When asked why he believes Bad Days Don’t Last should be made into a theatrical film, Rubathinesh explained, “I think that, although Bad Days Don’t Last is just a 10-minute short film, it has so much potential to be developed into a full-length feature. The way we made the film, the style we used — all of it could easily be expanded into a full-fledged movie, even with a limited budget. There are a variety of genres within the story that can be explored further. In that sense, I believe Bad Days Don’t Last is something fresh and unique in Malaysian Tamil cinema. If it were made into a theatrical film, it would push boundaries, setting new standards for quality and introducing a wider variety of genres.”
The Challenges and Opportunities for Independent Filmmakers
He continued, “There are artists and technicians who have the capabilities to deliver this kind of work; they just need the right opportunities and budget to showcase their talent. This could elevate the audience’s perception of our work. Additionally, it would serve as an example for upcoming filmmakers, showing them that they too can explore these kinds of genres in their storytelling.”
Rubathinesh also spoke about the challenges independent filmmakers face, saying, “For independent filmmakers, it’s always challenging to gain acceptance among funders or producers, convincing them that our scripts are worthy and that we have the talent to execute them well. But we’re slowly improving in this area. I hope Bad Days Don’t Last will gain the trust needed to be made into a theatrical film.”
Rubathinesh’s Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers: Keep Creating and Learning
When asked what advice he would give to the young generation and aspiring filmmakers passionate about filmmaking, Rubathinesh shared, “To everyone aspiring to become a filmmaker, don’t stop trying. Keep making films. I believe we shouldn’t just talk about cinema; you have to get on set and create films. That hands-on experience is invaluable. You can start as an editor or a cinematographer and explore different roles while making short films. This will help you understand the entire process.”
He continued, “Once you’re done with your short film, put it out there, even if it doesn’t turn out perfectly. When people see it and point out its flaws, you’ll learn from those critiques and can improve on your mistakes in your next project. I’d say receiving negative feedback on your short films is still better than receiving it for your feature film. With a short film, if one doesn’t work out, you can always try again. But with a theatrical film, it’s different — you have to make the most of the opportunity given to you and earn the trust of your audience. I would recommend aiming to make at least two short films a year. You’ll learn a lot from that experience. This is something I’ve learned along the way.”
Rubathinesh Nair’s journey from engineering to filmmaking serves as an inspiring example of the power of passion and perseverance. Despite the challenges and stereotypes surrounding the film industry, he has proven that with dedication and a strong will, one can carve out a successful path in even the most competitive fields. Through his work at Lane Ventures Productions, Rubathinesh is not only redefining the standards of Malaysian Tamil cinema but also paving the way for future filmmakers to take bold steps in their storytelling.
His success with Bad Days Don’t Last — from its festival accolades to its recognition by industry icons — reflects the potential of Malaysian filmmakers to make an impact on the global stage. As Rubathinesh continues to evolve as a director, producer, and storyteller, his journey serves as both a reflection of the industry’s growing strength and a call to action for aspiring filmmakers to push the boundaries of their creativity.
For the young generation passionate about filmmaking, Rubathinesh’s advice is simple yet powerful: keep creating, learn from every project, and never stop pursuing your dreams. The road may be tough, but with determination, continuous learning, and the right opportunities, there are no limits to what can be achieved.
As the industry evolves and more talent emerges, Rubathinesh’s vision of a thriving Malaysian film scene with diverse genres and high-quality productions is well within reach — and he is at the forefront of making that vision a reality.
All the information and images are provided by Rubathinesh.
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