Malad west mumbai,
Mumbai 400064
Dr.
Pradeep Kenchanuru is a visionary force in Indian cinema, universally
celebrated as a premier film scholar, director, and screenwriter. He achieved
the ultimate pinnacle of institutional honour by winning the coveted Best Book
on Cinema award (Swarna Kamal) at the 72nd National Film Awards for his
magisterial masterpiece, “Naaniruvude Nimagaagi Naadiruvude Namagaagi: Kannada
Cinemada Thathva Matthu Rajakeeya”. This landmark work is widely hailed as a
monumental triumph of cultural and academic film scholarship.
A master
storyteller behind the lens as well, Dr. Kenchanuru directed the deeply moving
film “The Hug of Emptiness”, which captured global attention by winning the
prestigious FIPRESCI International Critics Prize at the 19th Mumbai
International Film Festival (MIFF 2026). His cinematic brilliance also shines
through as the screenwriter for the National Award-winning feature film,
“Reservation”.
Arun
Shekhar is a distinguished figure in India’s literary and cultural landscape,
dedicated to promoting and preserving the nation's rich artistic heritage.
Holding a master’s degree in Hindi from Mumbai University and being an alumnus
of the prestigious Bhartendu Natya Academy, he seamlessly bridges academic
excellence with the performing arts.
As a
celebrated poet, Shekhar’s evocative verses poignantly explore themes of love,
nature, human resilience, and pressing social issues. Beyond his literary
achievements, he is a trained actor, producer, and director, widely acclaimed
for compelling theatre productions that delve deeply into Indian history and
culture.
Supriya Shukla, a
truly foundational talent whose extraordinary body of work has redefined the
emotional landscape of modern Indian television and cinema. With an illustrious
career spanning more than two decades, she represents the pinnacle of artistic versatility,
effortlessly commanding the screen with a rare blend of dignity, depth, and
nuanced brilliance.
To global
audiences, she is universally celebrated for her definitive, legacy-defining
performance as “Sarla Arora” in the landmark series “Kumkum Bhagya” and
“Kundali Bhagya”. Through this iconic role, she entirely reinvented the
maternal archetype on Indian television, balancing fierce resilience with
profound empathy. Her artistic range spans seamlessly across diverse
narratives, from intense, critically acclaimed television dramas like “Molkki”
to timeless cinematic masterpieces such as “3 Idiots” and “Lage Raho Munna
Bhai”.
From analyzing code
in the corporate tech world to calling the shots on major Bollywood
blockbusters, meet Amit Joshi, the visionary filmmaker who is completely
reshaping modern Indian storytelling!
Amit Joshi’s
incredible journey into cinema started with the power of his pen. Before
jumping into direction, he built a stellar reputation as a master screenwriter,
co-writing the intense survival drama “Trapped” (which earned him his first
Filmfare nods), followed by hits like “Babli Bouncer”, “India Lockdown” and “Mumbaikar”.
His cinematic
evolution took a historic leap with his directorial debut, “Teri Baaton Mein
Aisa Uljha Jiya” (TBMAUJ), which smashed the global box office with massive
success! This massive success earned Amit a Filmfare nomination for Best Debut
Director and won him the prestigious ABP News 'Director of the Year' crown.
Anjum Faakih’s rise to stardom reads like a movie script. Her journey began at just 19 years old when she left home for the bright lights of Mumbai. After taking the fashion world by storm and winning the prestigious Ford Super Model title, she made a seamless leap to television in “Mahi Way”. She later proved her versatility as a deliciously wicked villain in “Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani”, but it was her six-year run as the bubbly, firecracker sister Srishti Arora in the mega-hit “Kundali Bhagya” that turned her into a global household name. Whether delivering high drama in “Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2”, facing her deepest fears on “Khatron Ke Khiladi 13”, or collecting prestigious honors like the Gold Award and Indian Telly Award, Anjum has never backed down from a challenge. Keeping everyone on their toes, she continues to captivate audiences in 2026 by stepping into her darkest fictional role yet: the complex and unpredictable Dr. Avantika Mehta in the hit drama series “Dr. Aarambhi”.
Meet the director
who took regional storytelling to the global stage. From editing documentaries
to directing major web series, Omkar Shetty has spent nearly two decades
mastering the art of filmmaking.
His stunning
directorial feature film debut Aaron, which travelled all the way to the Cannes
Film Market, Omkar knows exactly how to capture human emotion on screen. The
film received the 'Best Film' award at the CFK London and the 'Best Family
Journey film award' at the San Francisco independent film festival. Omkar
Shetty received the ‘SAFAL Special Recognition’ award at the SAFAL Festival
Sydney 2019.
Mugdha Chaphekar is
one of the most popular faces in Indian entertainment today, winning the hearts
of millions of people with her flawless acting talents and never-ending grin.
From capturing our
hearts as the elegant Princess Sanyogita in “Prithviraj Chauhan’ to making us
fall in love with her emotional depth as Prachi in “Kumkum Bhagya”, Mugdha
Chaphekar’s journey in front of the camera has been nothing short of magic.
Mugdha was awarded
the prestigious Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress Debut for her
incredible performance in the film The Silence!
From studying
science and law to graduating from the legendary National School of Drama
(NSD), Hemant Mahaur has spent over 20 years delivering powerful,
character-driven performances across international cinema, Bollywood, and major
streaming platforms.
Whether you know
him as Kasana in Highway, Billu Biryani in The Great Indian Murder, Daku Somvar
Singh in Dr. Arora, or the commanding voice of Duryodhan in BAFTA-nominated
international feature The Warrior (2001), his range is undeniable.
Arun Arora stands as a distinguished film critic, a passionate theatre revivalist, and a visionary cultural alchemist who has spent over three decades transforming the performing arts into a profound instrument for grassroots societal awakening and nation-building. Through the raw, visceral energy of “Nukkad Natak” and immersive community workshops, he courageously dismantles deeply entrenched social evils, a mission beautifully epitomised by his leadership of the trailblazing Project "Udaan"—a cultural crusade dedicated to igniting the flames of patriotism and civic conscience within the hearts of modern youth. Under the banner of the esteemed theatre collective “Youth For Nation”, his directorial brilliance shines in acclaimed stage productions, most notably the celebrated 65-minute Hindi comedy-drama "Apne Apne Dao"; this sharp, whimsical satire, penned by the legendary Padma Shri Daya Prakash Sinha, elegantly dissects the fragile facades of middle-class ambitions and domestic greed. Beyond the theatrical footlights, Arun Arora serves as a vital conduit in the grand tapestry of Indian cinema, orchestrating prestigious film festivals and meticulously mentoring independent, avant-garde talent to seamlessly bridge the gap between underground artistry and mainstream cinematic brilliance.
Vishal
Chatkara, the Associate Executive Producer at CNN-News18, is a gifted
storyteller who has spent over 24 years beautifully capturing the magic of
Indian cinema. A passionate movie buff and lifelong student of cinema, he has
developed a deep appreciation and understanding of Bollywood, Hollywood,
Punjabi, Tamil, French and world cinema, he does not just review movies; he
elegantly unlocks the artistry behind filmmaking, helping audiences see the
deeper heart of the stories on screen. He is the Creator and Host of
CNN-News18’s Music Stars Roundtable, an industry-first IP that brought singers,
composers, lyricists and music creators into the spotlight and expanded
conversations around the role of music in cinema and popular culture.
The power of Indian
cinema lies in its roots, and few understand this better than National
Award-winning story writer and lyricist, Vinod Sharma Vats.
With a
multidisciplinary career spanning screenwriting, acting, direction, and
journalism, Vinod Sharma Vats has consistently elevated regional narratives to
a national platform. His exceptional storytelling in the feature film
"Chhoriyan Chhoron Se Kam Nahin Hoti" earned the film the Best
Haryanvi Film accolade at the 67th National Film Awards—a testament to his
ability to weave social messaging with commercial cinematic appeal.
His recent
contributions, including the screenplay and dialogues for "Saajish: The
Conspiracy" and lyricism for "Dr. Hedgewar", showcase an
evolving creative force that moves fluidly across diverse genres.
