New doc puts Edison's Oak Tree Road in focus

Editor’s note: “Destination: Oak Tree Road” airs on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. on NJ PBS. Check your local listings.

Oak Tree Road in Edison, a mile-and-a-half stretch of road that runs through Edison and neighboring Iselin, has the nickname Little India. For many South Asian immigrants, it’s more than just a street: It’s a sensory connection to their homeland, filled with familiar sights, sounds and flavors. Now, NJ PBS has captured its rich history and vibrant evolution in a new documentary.

In “Destination: Oak Tree Road,” NJ PBS honors this iconic area's cultural and historical significance. Directed by Indian American journalist Rohit Vyas and co-produced by his daughter, Aditi Vyas, the hourlong documentary is about the evolution of the Indian American and South Asian community in Woodbridge Township.

The documentary, which took over a year to produce, premiered last night at the Avenel Performing Arts Center. In anticipation of the release, NJ PBS hosted a virtual event on Thursday with Aditi Vyas.

The event offered a sneak peek into the documentary, showcasing scenes of Aditi visiting Indian clothing stores along Oak Tree Road. One scene shows an American couple trying on traditional Indian wedding attire, demonstrating how the street fosters cross-cultural exchanges.

During the virtual discussion, Vyas shared how she was inspired by her frequent visits to Oak Tree Road and conversations with her father. She described being in Rome when a couple asked where she was from.

“They said they have heard of Edison. ‘We know there's Oak Tree Road there,’” Vyas said.

The father-daughter duo recognized that Oak Tree Road has become a worldwide phenomenon and set out to discover how that came to be.

The documentary takes viewers on a journey through the evolution of Oak Tree Road, which traces its roots back to the 1800s. It explores the area's early success with small businesses, its sudden decline and a subsequent resurgence led by Indian immigrants. The documentary is full of snippets of Indian American culture on Oak Tree Road, including the parades, food and festivals.

Pioneering business owners of iconic shops like Sari Emporium, Sona Jewelers and Ashoka Restaurant explain why they chose the area. The interviews also reflect on the violent and harsh racism early Indian immigrants faced, and how the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) helped the community tackle hate crimes.

Conversations with politicians including Edison Mayor Sam Joshi, the first Indian American to hold that post, also show the rising influence of Desis in local politics.

“While retail is fading across most sectors in the country, in the South Asian American community, there’s actually not enough real estate for retail. We defy all the trends,” Joshi said about Oak Tree Road in the documentary.

News of the documentary spread throughout Woodbridge, and the filmmakers decided to collaborate with Woodbridge Township schools as a result. They invited students to submit artwork, asking, “What does it mean to be from Iselin or have access to Iselin or the Iselin community?” Students submitted over 100 pieces, currently displayed at the Woodbridge Library through Nov. 1.

During the virtual event, Aditi Vyas emphasized the importance of openness and listening to diverse communities.

“We are living in very polarizing times. I think what I took away from the people that I was speaking to was truly just listening,” she said.

Tehsin Pala is the associate editor of Central Desi.

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