“When film is not a document, it is a dream.” Ingmar Bergman’s words resonate deeply with me as I reflect on my 22-year journey in studying and practicing image-making. There is something incredibly rewarding about capturing a fleeting moment or weaving a narrative that speaks to the imagination.

My academic journey laid the foundation for this dream. I earned an M.A. in Communication from the University of Hyderabad, a Diploma in Direction and Screenplay Writing from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), and was selected for an International Exchange Program at La Fémis, the renowned film school in Paris.

My short fiction film, ‘Dwand / The Duel’, has competed in 20 international film festivals, winning 3 international awards and 24 national awards. Notable screenings include the Munich International Festival of Film Schools, Tampere (Finland), Cinemaiubit (Romania), Delhi International Film Festival, IFVA (Hong Kong), Písek (Czech Republic), and IFFI (Goa). The documentary ‘That Elephant from the Bridge’ was selected for DOKWOK, a mentorship program by the Magic Lantern Foundation and Dok Leipzig, Germany, and premiered at Dok Leipzig. The short fiction ‘Chaver’ premiered at the International Student Film Festival in Beijing and was nominated for the Blencong Award at Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival in Indonesia. It also won four awards at the Kerala State TV Awards, including Best Director. The screenplay for the feature film project ‘Spirogyra’ was selected for the National Film Development Corporation’s (NFDC) Screenwriters’ Lab and Co-production Market.

My teaching journey has taken me to various institutions, including L.V. Prasad Film Academy in Trivandrum, K.R. Narayanan National Institute in Kottayam, South Asian College of Journalism in Kozhikode, Cochin Media School, and St. Joseph College of Communication in Changanassery. I’ve also conducted workshops at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai and the Indian Institute of Management in Kozhikode. My role involves not just delivering lectures but also engaging in hands-on filmmaking with students to ensure they gain practical experience.

As Writer and Director :

Dwand / The Duel (Short Fiction, 2013)

● In competition at 20 international film festivals. Won 3 international awards and 24 awards at national competitions.

● Screenings include- Munich International Festival of Film Schools, Tampere (Finland), Cinemaiubit (Romania), Delhi International Film Festival, IFVA (Hong Kong), ISFF of Písek (Czech Republic) and IFFI (Goa).

That Elephant from the Bridge (Short Documentary, 2013)

● The documentary was selected for DOKWOK, a mentorship program by Magic Lantern Foundation and Dok Leipzig, Germany. The film had its World Premiere at Dok Leipzig, 2013.

Chaver (Short Fiction, 2015)

● World premiere at the International Student Film and Video Festival, Beijing

● Nominated for the Blencong Award at Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Fest, Indonesia

● Four awards, including Best Director, at Kerala State TV Awards.

The God, the Tiger and the Woman (Short Documentary, 2017)

● Shot on a Filmmaking Fellowship from Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT). The film was telecast on Doordarshan’s national network.

Spirogyra (Feature Film Project)

● The screenplay of ‘Spirogyra’ was selected for National Film Development Corporation’s (NFDC) Screenwriters’ Lab, 2016. The Lab coincided with Sarajevo Film Festival in Bosnia and with IFFI, Goa.

● The project was selected for NFDC’s Co-production Market in Filmbazaar, 2017.