The Social Media Trap – Plainsboro, New Jersey
December 6 @ 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
| FreeSAMHIN – South Asian Mental Health Initiative and Network, in collaboration with the Plainsboro Public Library, is pleased to present an important and timely workshop exploring how social media shapes the lives of our teens, our families, and our work.
The event will feature a screening of The Girl with a Red Hat—nominated for Best Indie Short (Low Budget) at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival—followed by an engaging discussion with the film’s director.
The short film follows a Gen Z college student trapped in the digital world of likes and followers, who discovers the power of authentic human connection through an unexpected friendship with a compassionate street vendor.
Written, produced, and directed by Sandeep Karanjkar, a South Brunswick resident, this film offers a compelling lens through which to understand the impact of social media on emotional well-being.
Light refreshments will be served.
PANELISTS:
Sandeep Karanjkar is a filmmaker and theatre artist recognized for his compelling storytelling across stage and screen. Raised in India, he has acted, written, and directed plays in Marathi, Hindi, and English, later performing in major U.S. cities including New York, Boston, and Chicago. In New Jersey’s multilingual short play festival, Natya Darpan, he directed three acclaimed productions under the mentorship of Ashok Vanjari. As assistant director to Meena Nerurkar on the web series Family Jam, he refined his cinematic approach. His debut 20-minute short film, which he wrote, produced, and directed, unites theatrical precision with visual nuance to examine human connection in the digital age.
Anu Upadhyay, M.D. is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adult, child, and adolescent care. A former President of the Central Chapter of the New Jersey Psychiatric Association, she has also served as an Associate Professor at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Dr. Upadhyay is an active member and speaker for the South Asian Mental Health Initiative and Network (SAMHIN), where she volunteers to advance mental wellness and reduce stigma within the South Asian community.
Vasudev Makhija, MD, a psychiatrist, is the Founder and President of SAMHIN, South Asian Mental Health Initiative and Network, a non-profit organization created to address the mental health needs of South Asians in the United States. He is Past-President of New Jersey Psychiatric Association.
Minoo Christian, MSW is trained as a social worker and works at Rutgers University- RWJ Medical School, where she provides oversight of the Infectious Disease Department grants. Ms. Christian has volunteered with SAMHIN on multiple projects, including facilitating workshops, writing grants and contributing as a Board Member.
