Academic Advisory Board

Dr. Akash Khurana, an Engineer, MBA, M.Phil. and Ph.D., he began his management career in 1977 with TELCO, one of India’s largest corporations. He took up a full time career in the media and entertainment industry in the late 1980s. Before that, he was already involved in the theatre and was also the founder of the theatre magazine Ovation. Having directed and acted in many successful theatre productions, he made his first screen appearance in Shyam Benegal's Kalyug and went on to play character roles in over 50 films such as Ardh Satya, Saaransh, Party, Jalwa, Naam, Beta, Saudagar, Sarfarosh, and Company. He has written over 20 scripts, including Aashiqui, Daag-the Fire, Duplicate, and his best known work Baazigar, for which he won the Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay. Apart from pursuing his interests in cinema and the theatre, he is the Managing Director and CEO of NIMBUS Communications Ltd., one of India’s foremost media and entertainment companies.

A.R. Rahman studied music at Trinity College in London, before embarking on his career in music. Since 1992, he has composed for over 75 films, with more than two dozen hit singles to his credit. Rahman is most known for the phenomenal success of his music in films such as Roja, Rangeela, Saathiya, Bombay, Taal, Dil Se and Lagaan. As India's most acclaimed music director, he has won more than 68 awards, including the National Film Award, Filmfare, Screen-Videocon, Zee Awards and countless other honours.

The Founder & CEO of CG cutting edge studio Anirights Infomedia Pvt Ltd. Prior to starting Anirights, Ashish worked in jadooWorks, ColourChips India Limited. He was an Executive Producer on "Multicolour Jackal " a film produced as a part of Animated World Tales for S4C, UK. He is a line producer on the “MUCHA LUCHA” a Warner Brothers production. Ashish is also an Animation Production Executive on “HIGGLYTOWN HEROS” a Disney pre school Series produced by Happy Nest Production, USA. He has been a Executive Producer on several Advertising films for All Out, Flying Machine, Max Candy & Ice-cream for HLL, Nestle Munch, Veneta Cucine, Kellogg’s etc.

Ashish, actively works with FICCI, CGSOCIETY, APAI, AKSHAYA PATRA, and many other industry and social associations. Ashish has served as a jury member on Best Animated Frames Awards, 24FPS & iEmmy. He was elected on as an associate member on International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, New York, well known for giving iEMMY Awards.

One of the most respected and sought after cinematographers in the Indian film industry, Ashok Mehta boasts a repertoire of work including documentaries, ad films and commercial feature films, as well as art films for the "parallel cinema". Ashok's numerous award-winning films include the likes of 36 Chowringee Lane, Bandit Queen, Mandi, Bhoomika; Mirch Masala, Drohkaal, Saudagar, Khalnayak, Chalte Chalte and Ram Lakhan. Ashok recently produced and direct his own film Moksha, which won him the prestigious National Award for cinematography and earned him much-deserved international acclaim.

Ashutosh Gowarikar took to directing after almost a decade as an actor, but now is one of India’s elite directors. He also acted in award-winning Marathi films like the Vazir and Sarkarnama. Alongside these features, TV serials like Kachchi Dhoop, Circus and C.I.D. also found him in front of the camera and brought him into contact with the finest minds in contemporary cinema. Gowarikar’s desire to helm the camera resulted in his directorial debut with Pehla Nasha, followed by Baazi, and then came what is still considered his greatest success – Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India which he followed by Swades, another trademark in Indian Cinema.

After his debut in Jwar Bhata, Dilip Kumar played a variety of characters over the span of six decades, but is venerated as the monarch of tragedy. With Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand, he formed the star trinity of the 1950s backed with the success of motion pictures such as Andaz, Aan, Daag, Madhumati, Ganga Jamuna, Ram Aur Shyam, His performances in the Oedipal dramas Deedar and Devdas are often regarded as the epitome of emoting. Later films included Vidhata, Duniya, Kranti, Karma and Saudagar. Winner of multiple Filmfare awards and crowned with the Dada Saheb Phalke award, the greatest achievement for films in India, Dilip Kumar today has achieved rare success.

A medical doctor, Dr. Jabbar Patel has been active in theatre since his youth. He produced and directed plays like Ashi Pakhare Yeti, Ghashiram Kotwal and Teen Paishyacha Tamasha. He has directed many films, including Samana, an official entry to the Berlin International Film Festival, Jait Re Jait, Simhasan, Umbartham, Ek Hota Vidushak, Mukta, which won the National Award for National Integration. and Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar, a highly acclaimed biographical film that was shown at many international film festivals. He is currently working on a film on the life of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. He was a member of the Governing Council of the Sangeet Natak Academy, the National School of Drama and the FTII. He has been Chairman on the Information, Education & Communication Section in the Maharashtra AIDS society, and was Director of the Pune International Film Festival. He has been awarded the prestigious Padmashree and Punya Bhooshan. He also heads The Pu.La.Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Akademy as the Honorary Executive Director.

Hema Malini was the second South Indian actress after Vyjayantimala to be a major Hindi film star, who became a top star and with Seeta aur Geeta. A string of successful films particularly opposite Dharmendra with Raja Jani, Jugnu and Sholay, and Hema’s popularity only soared higher. More than twenty years into the industry, she still remains one of the most stunning women of the industry.

Javed Akhtar is an acclaimed scriptwriter, lyricist and poet, belonging to a lineage that can be traced back to seven generations of writers. It is hard to ascribe a single feature to his personality. He has more than 86 films to his credit, from Mr. India, Saagar, Meri Jung, Saath Saath, Tezaab, 1942 A Love Story, Border and Refugee to the recent superhit Kal Ho Na Ho. Javed Akhtar has also been honored with one of the most prestigious awards in India, the coveted the Padmashree.

In a career spanning two decades, Kamlesh Pandey has written for Hindi cinema, television and ad films. His television credits include the popular TV serials such as "Karamchand" and "Draupadi. Kamlesh Pandey is credited with the writing of successful hindi films like "Jalwa", "Tezaab", "Dil", "Beta", "Saudagar", "Chaalbaaz", "Thakshak", “Khalnayak”, "Aks" and “Zinda”. In the past he received the Filmfare Award for the film "Tezaab" and Screen Award for "Saudagar". More recently Kamlesh Pandey has written one of the most critically acclaimed films of our time “Rang De Basanti”.

Karan Johar, son of the legendary Yash Johar, became a household name with the phenomenally successful Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, his own script and directorial debut. He followed the success of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai with his second film, the multi-starrer Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, which broke box office records all over the world with its release in 2001. He then wrote and produced the hugely successful movie Kal Ho Na Ho, which also has won much acclaim and many awards. Strong emotional bonding, family values, extravagant sets and wardrobes, dazzling foreign locations and wonderful music characterize his films.

A cinematographer of legendary proportions, KK Mahajan is a rare Indian icon. Recognized for his extraordinary sensitivity with light, KK was four times won the National Award for his films Sara Akaash, Uski Roti, Maya Darpan and Chorus, and twice won the President's Gold Medal for the best black and white cinematography. Amongst the titles he is famous for are Kaalicharan, Sameera and Avtaar.

Mahesh Bhatt has re-written the rules of cinema, both as a director and a media savvy individual. Unconventional to the point of being rebellious, he has shattered several myths surrounding movie making with his conviction and belief. In 1970, he took to film making himself, directing his first Hindi feature film at the age of twenty-one. He began his career in 1976 with a film called Raksha Bandhan. After a spate of films, he gained acclaim for his bold film Arth . He followed Arth with Saransh which won the Special Jury Award at the Moscow Film Festival in 1985 , Janam , Daddy , Tamanna and finally Zakhm … all of them born from his own experiences. This acclaimed director is involved in writing books and films, fighting for the causes he believes in and being the creative backbone for Fisheye Network.

A chemical engineer by profession, Nagesh Kukunoor gave up his lucrative career as an environmental consultant in Atlanta and using his personal savings wrote, produced, acted and directed his immensely successful debut film, Hyderabad Blues, which went on to become the largest grossing low budget Indian film in English. He then went on to direct films like Rockford, Bollywood Calling and Teen Deewarein with veterans such as Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah. His latest film Iqbal, featuring Naseeruddin Shah and Girish Karnad has been highly appreciated by the critics as well as the audiences.

A graduate from the NSD in 1973, he enrolled in the Film and Television Institute of India. He first appeared in Shyam Benegal's 1975 film, Nishant. He won the National Award for Best Actor in 1979 for Sparsh. He also won three Filmfare awards during the 80s. In this period, he won his second National Award and The Volpi Cup at the Venice Film Festival for 'Paar'. He also was bestowed with the Padma Shri in 1987, which is the country's fourth highest civilian award. Later, as an established actor, he performed in several international films like The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Monsoon Wedding. His efforts as a director, theatre artiste and actor culminated in him being awarded The Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award.

Neeta Lulla studied at SNDT University, and later interned under the famous choreographer Jeanne Noaroji before starting out on her own. Over the past 15 years she has designed for over 300 films, winning acclaim and awards both within India and Internationally. Neeta has designed for the biggest names in the industry, with Sridevi, Aishwarya Rai, Juhi Chawla, Amisha Patel, Kareena Kapoor and Shilpa Shetty among her loyal following.

Described as "the finest actor of the post-independence generation" Om Puri is one of India's most respected and prolific screen personalities, having appeared in over 140 films over the course of his career and winning innumerable awards. After a starring role in Satyajit Ray's Sadgati, he began attracting the notice of Western filmmakers. He appeared in Gandhi, Wolf and City of Joy. He had his greatest international success to date as the star of My Son the Fanatic, a British satirical comedy and the following year he earned another lavish dose of acclaim for his role in East Is East.

After shifting from Delhi to Mumbai in the late 80’s, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra set up Flicks Motion Picture Co. Pvt. Ltd, and went on to direct over 250 commercials with reputed clients and for some of the biggest brands of the country. In the span of his career, he also made an award-winning documentary, "Mamuli Ram" for the co-operative giant ‘Amul’ besides gaining an unparalleled list of clientele spread across the globe. In a bid to create the elusive combination of intelligent, yet commercially successful feature films, shifting focus to movies came naturally to him, and the success of his debut endeavor, ‘Aks’– the reflection (2001), starring Amitabh Bachchan, and Manoj Bajpai, went on to receive critical acclaim and won various national awards beside setting a trend and becoming a benchmark for better things to come. In 2004, he set up ROMP Pvt. Ltd, which began its journey with the Aamir Khan starrer, ‘Rang De Basanti’, a cult film which went on to brake records worldwide. Mehra is now busy with the scripting and pre-production of his upcoming ‘Paanch Kaurav’, ‘Delhi-6’ and his first full length Animation film.

Born in a family of producers, Ramesh Sippy started his career as a producer and director in the early 70's. He hit his peak with the highly acclaimed and most technically polished film of its time Sholay. Sholay released in 1975 and was recognized as the Best Film of 50 years. It was the highest grossing movie of all time in India with collections of Rs. 213, 45, 00,000 (50 million dollars US). Ramesh Sippy also directed films such as Andaz, Seeta Aur Geeta, Shaan, Shakti, Saagar, Bhrashtachar, Akayla, and Zamana Deewana. He made the longest-running TV soap Buniyaad, which ran for over 200 episodes and was a tremendous success.

Born to a musical family, Ranjit Barot began his musical odyssey at the young age of 12 with a simple drum set, but his natural flair, ease and craft catapulted him onto becoming India's leading artists on the instrument by the age of 17. He has performed with the likes of many masters, from Ustad Zakir Hussain to Louis Banks, both in India and abroad. Ranjit spent many years playing jazz in Europe, London and New York, but was drawn back to Bombay in 1985. He has produced the music for numerous advertising and feature films, notably Aks the Reflection, (winner of the Filmfare & Screen awards for Best Background Score), FIZA, Asoka, Filhaal, Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya, LOC, Mein Prem ki Deewaanee, Bride and Prejudice, Brides Wanted, Mein Hoon Na, Dus and Sandhya.

Ronnie Screwvala is the Founder Chairman of the UTV (United Television). Founded in 1990, within a span of just thirteen years, it has grown into a Pan Asian Media Company.In June 1981, Ronnie gave Indian viewers their first taste of choice when he pioneered India’s very first Cable TV Company, Network. This scenario of firsts was repeated when satellite channels entered India. Ronnie has constantly demonstrated the rare combination of a creative eye coupled with innovation and business savvy.
Today UTV is not just India’s first corporate media house with full-fledged divisions catering to every aspect of entertainment industry but Ronnie has also actively pioneered and contributed to the growth of the Television, Animation, Feature Film and Broadcasting Industries in India, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Sachin Bhaumick is a renowned writer, lyricist, poet, journalist and screenwriter whose stories have been brought to television and cinema halls for more than four decades. He has written more than 160 films, including Anuradha Aradhana, Hum Kisise Kum Nahi, Jugnu, Gol-Maal, An Evening in Paris, Karz, Karma, Saudagar, Taal,Karan-Arjun, Soldier, Koi Mil Gaya and many more. Winner of multiple Filmfare awards, the UP Critics Award and the Writing Association's Lifetime Achievement Award, Sachin Bhaumick occupies a uniquely successful and prominent position in the world India entertainment writing.

Today Saroj Khan reigns as one of the most formidable choreographers in the Indian film industry, respected universally for her originality and inspired routines. She has choreographed for nearly 100 films, including the huge hits Naam, Nagina, Tezaab, Chaalbaaz, Hero, Ram Lakhan, Dil, Thanedaar, Lamhe, Beta, Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, Baazigar, Daar, Khalnayak, Pardes, and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Over the past two decades she has worked with almost all the heroines from Rekha, Juhi., Sridevi, , Karisma, Urmila to Aishwarya and Madhuri Dixit. She is the recipient of several awards.

Satish Kaushik is an Acting graduate from National School of Drama who is known for his classic roles as a comedian in films like Mr. India, Who Saath Din & Ram Lakhan. Satish Kaushik made his debut as director with the film Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja. He went on to direct films that were very successful at the box office such as Humara Dil Aapke Paas, Aap humare dil mein rehte hain, Mujhe kuch kehna hain and recently released Tere Naam.

Shabana Azmi, is one of the most eminent actresses of India. After completing her degree in Psychology at St.Xavier's College, Mumbai, she took a Diploma in Acting at the Film and Television Institute in Pune, India in 1972. One of the leading lights of the Indian New Wave, Shabana Azmi was one of the main female actors who dominated the films of the so-called 'Parallel Cinema' in India in the 1970s and 1980s. Shabana has acted in films by virtually all of India's most famous art house directors, including Shyam Benegal, Satyajit Ray , Mrinal Sen, Aparna Sen, and others, as well as in commercial Hindi films, where she has essayed several strong female characters (e.g. in Mrityudand, Godmother). Shabana Azmi has won 13 awards including 5 national awards.

One of the best-loved heroes of the silver screen, Shah Rukh Khan has starred in over 40 films and, from his first smash hit Deewana, has delivered an impressive list of blockbusters. The memorable characters he played in films such as Darr, Baadshah, Karan Arjun, Pardes, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Mohabbatein, Devdaas, Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho and Swades have endeared him to audiences worldwide.

Shiamak Davar is one of the most well-known choreographers of Bollywood. He is the founder of SDIPA, one of India's leading dance institutes, with 10,000 students at branches in major cities. When not choreographing or teaching, Shiamak is the official trainer for the Femina Miss India Pageant.

Vanraj Bhatia's music covers a very wide spectrum from western classical to drama, films and television serials to his albums with Music Today. His popularity is so vast that he has composed music for about 40 films and 8 television serials. Some of his major works include soundtracks for Ankur, Manthan, Bhumika, 36 Chowringhee Lane, Khandaan, Tamas, Discovery of India, Wagle Ki Duniya, Junoon, Kalyug, Pardez, Making of a Mahatma, Sardari Begum, Bandish and Ghatak.