‘Cords of Connection’ Pulls Back The Curtain On Care, Culture And Aging In South Asian Families

BY REENA RATHORE

LOS ANGELES, CA – For many South Asian families, caregiving is not a role that comes with formal recognition. It is often treated as an unspoken expectation, something that is embedded in tradition, is quietly absorbed into family life and rarely acknowledged beyond the household. 

“Cords of Connection,” a new documentary series by Reshma Dordi, founder of Showbiz India, is bringing those stories into the open, offering a culturally specific portrait of caregiving, aging and isolation within the South Asian community. Through intimate personal accounts, the series sheds light on the emotional and practical realities facing families as they balance tradition, modern life and the challenges that come with growing older. 

“‘Cords of Connection’ was born from a simple but powerful need: to create a safe, culturally grounded space where South Asian caregivers feel seen, heard and supported…When community members open up about their journeys, it reinforces a powerful message: you are not alone,” Dordi told India-West. “Research and lived experience both show that caregivers who feel connected to their culture and community are less likely to perceive caregiving as an overwhelming burden.”

Produced by Showbiz India TV in collaboration with AARP, “Cords of Connection” marks the documentary directorial debut of Dordi.

“AARP reached out to me two years ago and said they wanted to connect with the South Asian diaspora to tell stories and cover topics relevant to our community, since we have distinct needs especially our elders,” Dordi told India-West. “Language can sometimes be a barrier, and food is also a concern, particularly when seniors transition to nursing homes, adult day care, or other senior care facilities.”  

The docuseries has since evolved over three seasons, spanning 17 episodes, each tackling a distinct but culturally relevant topic in under ten minutes.

“Cords of Connection” examines caregiving through multiple lenses, highlighting issues such as elder care, assisted living vs in-home care, financial planning, social isolation, health and wellness, fraud prevention, and community resources, among others.

“Fraud is highly prevalent among senior citizens,” Dordi added.

One episode follows an LGBTQ+ senior whose life was marked by profound isolation. “At one time he was so socially isolated, he even contemplated suicide,” noted Dordi. In the same vein, another episode follows a cancer survivor reflecting on loneliness, resilience and the search for connection during periods of physical and emotional vulnerability. 

Social isolation emerges as one of the series’ most poignant themes, underscoring how it affects older adults particularly when language barriers, health challenges, or shifting family structures limit social interaction. At the same time it also points out the role of community networks in restoring a sense of belonging.

The series features Dr. Santosh Kumar, founder of Metropolitan Asian Family Services, which provides culturally tailored resources for South Asian seniors, empowering individuals while strengthening community support. Another episode focuses on caregiving within multigenerational households, featuring lawyer Navneet and his wife Ritu Chugh, whose journey resonated deeply with audiences.

“Social Connectivity and Aging” follows Meenu Sethi, a 65-year-old originally from India, whose childhood accident led to years in hospitals but did not deter her from building a successful career at the University of Washington. Committed to giving back, she volunteered for medical research, testing prostheses designed by bioengineering students. 

The series also tackles culturally sensitive subjects such as end-of-life planning. “It’s about planning for your funeral. Things that South Asians don’t want to talk about, you know, to their children, but how important it is,” she stated.

“Cords of Connection” is not positioned as a definitive guide to caregiving, but as a conversation starter. Its goal, Dordi emphasized, is to validate experiences, normalize seeking support, and strengthen bonds between generations. “It’s not just a series,it’s a growing relationship with a community that deserves to feel understood, respected, and empowered in their caregiving journeys. By sharing real stories from South Asian families, we aim to reduce the sense of isolation so many caregivers feel.”

She concurred that addressing deeply personal subjects required careful outreach and credibility within the community.

“That is one of the things that takes the most time: to build a trust with the subject matter. We did a lot of research…reaching out to different people from different nonprofit groups like Sahara and Saahas,” she explained. “I’ve a been pretty active community member for 30 years now. They trusted me with their story… and I thank them for trusting me. These are their stories.”

Each episode underwent vetting to ensure neutrality, Dordi stated, saying,“AARP is non-political so we wanted to make sure we addressed the issue clearly, but not be political about it in any way.” Despite the emotional depth of each episode, production timelines were tight, leaving only two-three weeks for each story.

“Cords of Connection” has begun receiving recognition on the film festival circuit, including Dordi’s first award at the South Asian Film Festival in Florida. The series was later featured at the Sphere Film Festival.

Dordi is expanding her documentary work with a new project on blind women athletes in India and Sri Lanka. “I’ve already filmed in India,” she revealed. “I met a group of very inspiring young girls who just took my heart away. I followed them for a whole month in India and Sri Lanka for the world’s first T20 cricket championship for blind women.”

For Dordi, “Cords of Connection” marks a natural progression in her career. A former Miss L.A. India, and founder of Showbiz India, a premier South Asian television program that has aired for more than 28 years, she has interviewed top Hollywood and Bollywood talent, global leaders, and cultural figures. Her work centers on community-driven storytelling, addressing issues like mental health and anti-Asian hate, including partnerships with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and the California State Library.

 “Cords of Connection” can be viewed on YouTube.