Page 1
Directory of Environment and
Wildlife Filmmakers
Published By:
CMS ENVIS Centre on Environment and Media
Supported by: Ministry of Environment and Forests, GoI
www.cmsindia.org/cmsenvis
For copies and further information, please contact:
CMS ENVIS Centre
RESEARCH HOUSE
Saket Community Centre, New Delhi 110 017
P: 91 11 2499 2597, 2686 4020, 2652 2244
F: 91 11 2696 8282
E: envteam@cmsindia.org
Page 2
PUBLICATION SERIES
For copies contact
CMS Environment
RESEARCH HOUSE
Saket Community Centre, New Delhi 110 017
P: 91-11-2499 2597, 2686 4020, 2652 2244
F: 91-11-2696 8282
E: envteam@cmsindia.org
Page 3
Disclamer
Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this Directory, CMS
assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, which arises from the information
received from other sources. Neither is any liability for any damage resulting from
the use of Information contained herein.
Published by
CMS ENVIS Centre on Environment and Media, New Delhi
With support from Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India
CMS ENVIS TEAM
Dr. N. Bhaskara Rao, Chairman CMS (Honorary Advisor)
Ms. Alka Tomar, ENVIS Co-ordinator
Mr. Rohit Singh, Senior Programme Officer
Mr. Dipendra Misra, Programme Officer (IT)
Rahul Thakur, Programme Officer (Information Management)
Mr. Sanjay Negi, Data Entry Operator
Design: Ivy’Dsouza
E. ionagraphics@gmail.com
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Preface
Over the years, media especially Satellite Television has seen unprecedented growth in
the country. A whiff of fresh choices greeted Indian viewers in the early 90’s, with multi
channel programming becoming a reality. The entry of foreign channels like Discovery,
Nat Geo, and Animal planet have carved a new dedicated audience segment for nature
and wildlife programming in India, which didn’t exist in the yore.
Wildlife and nature programming channels are replete with high budget ‘blue chip’
films running into millions of dollars, mostly showing breathtaking and beautiful visuals
of nature and wildlife. They focus only on the most appealing elements of nature and
cultures to entice the ‘global’ audience. For a common viewer it is all hunky-dory. The
technical razzmatazz and glossy films on nature though look awesome don’t reflect
the ‘real’ problems, nor do they address pressing issues let alone match the Indian
psyche and context.
This is where Indian filmmakers have to make a mark. To raise the levels of awareness,
express and bring out hard-hitting environmental programmes and documentaries that
reflect the ecological destruction and concerns. It is a sad fact that Indian filmmakers
don’t have lavish budgets and time to produce films unlike their western counterparts.
India provides a vast mosaic of environmental issues that are challenging and have
largely remained unexplored. Environment and wildlife filmmakers work under
demanding and at times life threatening situations and terrains, where even basic
medical help could be out of reach for many days together. Not just shoestring but
‘shameful’ budgets further exacerbate their plight and waters down the filmmaker’s
enthusiasm.
Thus the scope for ‘activist films’ needs to be widened further in the country among
the Indian filmmakers, through proper institutional support and adequate funding. This
Directory is one such effort to promote and encourage Indian filmmakers to produce
quality environment, wildlife and conservation film. Indian environment and wildlife
documentary filmmakers have made giant strides and have received international
recognition in the recent years. There is a need to recognize and institutionalize such
documentary films and ventures to promote environmental concern, to sensitize and
address the public and policy makers at large.
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Directory of Environment and
Wildlife Filmmakers
First Edition
2009
Published By:
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Abhinandan Sekhri
Add: Small Screen, 5/7
Basement, Sarva Priya Vihar
New Delhi-110016
P: 91-11-26565305, 26865588
F: 91-11-26868235
M: 91-9811237306
E: psareen@vsnl.com
W: www.small-screen.com
Abhinandan Sekhri has worked as a producer, director and
correspondent. He has produced and directed several corporate films,
public awareness spots (for the Indian Cancer Society), commercial,
promos (for Discovery Channel) and programmes for TV News Channel.
One of the films directed and scripted by him is “Temples of Water”, a
30-minute documentary film on the issue of water scarcity in Rajasthan
for PSBT. He won the Best Travel Documentary award in Spring Fest
2000, eveo.com, San Francisco for his film …….? “Chadar”, a 30 minute
English documentary for Doordarshan - I on a winter trade route in the
Zanskar valley of Ladakh received a Special Jury Mention at the Okinawa
Film Festival, Japan. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Amar Kanwar
Add: A. K. Productions,
N -14A, Saket
New Delhi
P: 91-11-26516088
F: 91-11-26513556
E: amarvg@vsnl.com
Amar is an independent documentary filmmaker who has directed over
forty documentaries and has consistently worked on issues of health,
ecology, philosophy, labour, law, politics, art and education for the last
fifteen years. He is a Postgraduate in Mass Communication, Film and
Television from Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. His documentaries have
received several national and international awards and have been widely
broadcast and screened. Some of his awarded films are The Many
Faces of Madness, which won the Golden Tree Award in “Vatavaran
2002” -In,dia’s First Environment and Wildlife Film Festival. “A Season
Outside” won the Golden Gate Award at the San Francisco International
Documentary Film Festival, 1999 and the Golden Conch (Best Film)
Award at the Mumbai International Film Festival, 1998 Golden Orange at
the Antalya International Documentary Film Festival-1999, the Pinnacle
Award for Best Direction in 1997 and Jury’s Award at Film South Asia,
Kathmandu 2001. “King of Dreams” has received the Jury’s award at
Film South Asia-Kathmandu, 2002. His films have also been exhibited
at the Earth Summit 2002 in South Africa and in DOCUMENTA 11 in
Germany. The documentary film “Freedom” has received the Certificate
of Merit, Golden Gate Awards at the San Franscisco International Film
Festival, 2002, Grand Prix Award at the Enviro Film 2002, Slovak Republic
and First Prize at Cinema Ambiente 2002 and Torino International
Environment Film Festival, Italy. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Anand Parmar
Add: Anand Films
M/2, Vardhman Towers
C/o Jabalpur Graphics
Russel Crossing, Napier Town
Jabalpur, MP
P: 91-761-2627967, 5004026
M: 91-9827241188
E: jabalpurgraphics@yahoo.co.in
Anand Parmar hs been working as an independent filmmaker in the
last 4 years. He has produced and directed various commercial films,
documentaries on water management, wildlife and animations. He has
also produced a film on Rain Water Harvesting in Urban Areas. His first
directed film “Ek Aadmi Aur Ek Jungle” participated in Vatavaran 2003
Film Festival. He runs his design studio Jabalpur Graphics creating art
works, short animation films, commercial films & advertising. He writes,
directs, edits & adds effects to his films. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Anand Patwardhan
Add: 2nd Floor, 27
Lokmanya Tilak Colony Marg -.2
Dadar (East), Mumbai 400014
P: 91-22-24143782, 24102727
F: 91-22-2414 2946
E: anandpati@vsnl.com
Documentarist Anand Patwardhan has been making politically engaged
documentaries for nearly three decades. He went to study at Brandeis
University, Boston after an early involvement with rural education, where
he made his first film, “Business as Usual”. He also made a film on J.P.
movement in Bihar. During Emergency, Patwardhan secretly made
“Prisoners of Conscience’, which was exhibited after democracy was
restored. He continues to track urgent social and political transformations
in the country, as in “Hamara Shahar”, 1985, on the move to evict Bombay
pavement-dwellers; Ram Ke Naam”, 1992 on the Hindutva movement;
Pitru, Putra aur Dharamyudh (1994), on the cultural contexts of masculine
aggression in the subcontinent. His films, while winning national and
international awards have been recurrently confronted with political
opposition, such as War and Peace”, which was annulled by the high
court and on subjects like the urban homeless “Bombay Our City”, 1985,
religious fundamentalism “In the Name of God”, 1992, the connection
between machismo and sectarian violence “Father, Son and Holy War”,
1995 and the plight of those displaced in the name of ‘development’
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
“A Narmada Diary”, 1995. “War and Peace” a documentary journey of
peace activism filmed over three tumultuous years in India, Pakistan,
Japan and the USA, has won the Grand Prize, Earth Vision Global
Environment Festival -Tokyo, 2002; Best Film, Mumbai International
Film Festival, 2002; International Jury Prize, Mumbai International Film
Festival, 2002; International Critics Prize (FIPRESCI), Sydney Film
Festival, 2002. “In the Name of God”, has also won five awards - two within
India (Filmfare Award and the National Award) and three international
awards, two from Switzerland and the Citizen’s Prize from Japan. “A
Narmada Diary” participated in various film festivals like Earth Vision
Global Environmental Film Festival, Tokyo, 1995; Amnesty International
Film Fest., Amersterdam, 1996; National Video Fest, Kerala, 1995 and
Film South Asia, Kathmandu, Nepal, 1997. This film has received The
Golden Award, Earth Vision, Japan, 1995; The Filmfare Critic’s Award
for best documentary, 1996 and Second Prize, National Video Fest.
Kerala, 1995. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Anand Syal
Add: Doordarshan Kendra
Jhalana Institutional Area
Jhalana Doongri
Jaipur
P: 91-11-23711491
Anand Syal, LLB, has done a course in Journalism as IIS Probationer
from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi and a diploma
in Television Production from Film & Television Institute of India, Pune.
Has been working in Media (All India Radio, Information Service &
Doordarshan) for last 27 years. Received 1st Prize in DD Awards
2000 –2001 for live coverage of Cultural Evening on Rajasthan Diwas
under ‘Best Live Event’ category and for his documentary “Ab Nahin
Roothenge Badal” under Environment & Wildlife category. Has produced
programmes on environment such as “Chandi Ka Samandar” which
participated in “Vatavaran 2003” Film Festival and “Aina”, etc. “Ab Nahin
Roothenge Badal” got nominated in “Vatavaran 2002” Film Festival in the
“Documentary” Category. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Arun Chadha
Add: Cine Pulse
511 Mandakini Enclave
Alaknanda
New Delhi 110019
P: 91-11--26277885
R: 91-11-26027244, 26029448
M: 91-9810118184
E: vdeepak@del3.vsnl.net.in
W: www.kalpanait.com
Arun Chaddha, a Graduate from Film and Television Institute of India,
Pune has been making documentaries and short films for the past 22
years for WHO, UNICEF, Ford Foundation and Doordarshan. He has
made more than 75 films on development and social issues, health and
social anthropology. Many of his films have been shown at the national
and international film festivals and have won awards. “The Shame is not
Mine”, a film on women’s empowerment received the Golden Conch
for best documentary film at the Mumbai International Film Festival,
2000. “Waiting for Reprieve” was declared the best film in 1995 at the
International Documentary Film Festival, Kerala on science, society and
development, The same year “Ek Sapna Sach’ received the first prize at
the FAI Film Competition, New Delhi and the “Temple of Goddess Earth”,
won the second prize in 1998 at the FAI Film Competition, New Delhi.
He has also done a 26-part series “Grassroots” on rural development for
Doordarshan International. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Bijay Kumar Nanda
Add: Sandhan Foundation
N4-129, IRC Village
Bhubaneshwar
Orissa - 751015
P: 91-674-550699
F: 91-674-553637
E: bknanda@satyam.net.in
Mr. Bijay Kumar Nanda trained in Basic TV Direction and Production
is presently working as a Producer (Media) in State Institute of
Educational Technology, an autonomous Media organisation funded
by Ministry Human Resource Development, Govt. of India since 1987 in
Bhubaneswar. He has produced more than 500 educational television
programmes for school children of Orissa and participated in various
creative project design workshops in number of places in the country.
“The “Fire that Sings”, a unique innovative program produced by him was
Nationally telecasted and was acclaimed with profuse appreciation in the
NHK International educational television contest, 1992. One of his film on
environment is “The Thin Framework” (58 mins), conceived, designed and
directed by him on the Mangrove Eco-system of Bhitarkanika produced
by Sandhan Foundation. This film participated in “Vatavaran 2002” Film
Festival. He also prepared a video documentary “Super Cyclone” on the
catastrophic disaster of this century where 20,000 people got perished
and the luxurious, rich coastal and rural fabric of the state got devastated
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beyond repair. He has devised various motivational awareness campaign
packages to combat drought, land degradation and desertification
processes as per UN Convention guidelines with close collaboration
with RIOD (Riseau International D’ONG Sur la Desertification or the
International Network of NGOs on Drought and Desertification), RIOD-
India. He has been engaged in promoting awareness through media
campaigns on ‘Save the Earth’ through celluloid documentation, audio-
visual technology, pamphlets, posters, etc. He has been appreciated as
an innovative Media Scientist in a number of symposia. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
C. J. Reddy
Add: Tarangini Video Studio
C Block, Shanti Shikara Apartments
Rajbhavan Road, Somajiguda
Hyderabad 500 082, A.P.
P: 91-40-23322846, 3326864, 55660180
F: 91-40-3313593
M: 91-9848014168
E: tarangini@net.in
Mr. C. J. Reddy, a Cameraman, Producer & Director has produced &
directed over 70 programmes i.e documentary films, corporate profiles,
public issue films, news features, ad films etc for various organisations.
He is a Member Empanelled as a Producer and Director with Doordarshan
Directorate, New Delhi, Films Division, Govt. of India and A.P. State Film,
T.V. & Theatre Development Corporation. He has received several awards
in National & International Film Festivals for his films like “Himalayas
Calling” in Torento Film Festival, “Maaru Moola Prantalaku Manchi
Rojulu” in A.P. State Golden Nandi and for “Never Say Die” in Cracow
Film Festival. “Toli Velugu” won the A.P. State Silver Nandi Award, in
1993. He has worked as a Cameraman for Doordarshan Kendra, News
Reel Officer for Films Division and Advisor (Films) for A.P. State Film
Development Corporation during which has produced 52 Newsreel and
5 Documentary Films. His documentary film “In Harmony with Nature”
participated in “Vatavaran 2003” Film Festival. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
C. Saratchandran
Add: Third Eye Communications
101, NF Garden, Tripunithura
Ernakulam, Kerala - 682 301
P: 91-484-2784333
E: sarat@satyam.net.in
C. Saratchandran has done apprenticeship with Late Sri. G. Aravindan,
in his film “Pokkuveyil” (Twilight). He started video documentation of
environmental struggles, campaigns and actions from 1982. His two
early films were “No to Dams, A Pooyamkutty Tale” (1986) and “Save
the Western Ghats March: A Kerala Experience” (1988). Involved in K P
Sasi’s “Living in Fear” and “A Valey Refuses to Die”. His documentary
film “Chaliyar-The Final Struggle” co-directed with P. Baburaj, received
a Special Mention in the MIFF 2000 and a Bronze Tree Award in
“Vatavaran 2002” Film Festival. His documentary film “Bitter Drink” was
screened in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in 2003 and participated in “Vatavaran
2003” Film Festival. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Christopher Rego
Add: Ultra Film and Video
A-10, Sagar Sanjog
50/C, JP Road, Versova
Mumbai – 400061
P: 91-22-26360793
F: 91-22-26312861
E: kittu2k@yahoo.com
Christopher Rego, a Diploma holder in Film Direction from Film and
Television Institute of India, Pune has mostly produced news features and
documentaries mostly on environment, cultural, science and technology
and social and development issues. He has produced, directed and
scripted various television series, documentaries, TV Commercials/
Public Service Spots, Corporate/ Promotional Videos and Educational
Films. Some of the programmes produced by him are “Forests of the
gods”, a Documentary series for Zee TV on Indian eco-cultural tradition
of sacred groves participated in “Vatavaran 2002” Film Festival; “The
Village Republic”, a documentary for Centre for Science and Environment
was screened in Mumbai Short Film Festival on Indian environmental
issues called Wealth of Nation. His other films include “Natural Allies”
explaining the hazards of indiscriminate chemical pesticide usage, “The
Invisible Greens”, a documentary for National Council for Science and
Technology Communication; “Destination Harike”, a wildlife documentary
showing ecology and diverse bird-life of the Harike and “Turning Garbage
Into Gold” a documentary for Bio-Consortium India Ltd. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
D. N. Reddy
Add: F. No. 303, Block III
C. B. R. Estates
Deepthisri Nagar, Madinaguda
Hyderabad - 500050
P: 91-40-23041617
E: dnr_viewpoint@rediffmail.com
D. N. Reddy who has done B.F.A. (Photography) from J.N.T. University
has got 15 years of experience in photography and video filming. He
has worked as a lecturer in Department of Photography. He has been
involved in documentary film making for quite sometimes now. He
has also conducted various workshops and training programs on
Photography and filmmaking. His aim is teaching photography, real-life
documentaries, informative, travel documentaries and documentaries on
heritage. Some of his films include “A Journey Through Manjira Wildlife
Sanctuary”, “The Otter Land Coringa”, “An Insight Into Environment”,
“The Pranahita” amongst others. He has made many informative and
educative films. His film “The Lifeline of Pocharam”, “A Journey Through
Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary”, participated in “Vatavaran 2003” Film Festival
and “An Insight into Environment” participated in “Vatavaran 2002” Film
Festival. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
D. Vinod Kumar
Add: Vision and Video Filmmakers
28 G, Pocket A-1
Mayur Vihar - III
Delhi - 110096
E: ddt@vsnl.com
Mr. Kumar, a Producer, Director and Cameraman has done a three-year
diploma in Film Technology from Film & T.V. Institute, Chennai. Has 30
years of experience in filmmaking. Some of his works include Ananth
Richa, Kidney Transplant: Gift of Graft?, Money Flowers, etc. Has produced
a 60-second spot Animal Conservation for Discovery Channel and a four
part Documentary Forests of India and World of Nature - 5 episodes for
Doordarshan. He has also been a Director on the panel of Doordarshan,
Ministry of Agriculture, C.I.E.T., Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry
of Welfare, Ministry of Telecommunications, Dept. of Child and Women
Development, B.H.E.L. and S.A.I.L., etc. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Dinesh Lakhanpal
Add: Lakhanpal Productions
48/C-I, Areshwar Mhada
S.V.P. Nagar, Andheri (W)
Mumbai 400 053
P: 91-22-26391666
F: 91-22-26391666
M: 91-9820181979
E: lpd@vsnl.com
W: http://entertainment.vsnl.com/lakhanpal
Dinesh Lakhanpal is basically a creative writer and has been contributing
regularly as a free-lancer, articles on socio-political, socio-economic
and environment issues besides writing on art and cinema in various
newspapers and magazines. He is also the Vice-President of Indian Film
Directors Association, Mumbai, Member of Association of Moving Picture
& Television Programme Producers, Mumbai & a Member of Indian Film
Writers Association. He worked as an associate director with Ms. Sai
Paranjpye in the making of her 1st two feature films “Sparsh” (The Touch)
and “Chasme Buddoor” (Remain Away the Evil Eye). “Sparsh” won Three
National Awards & “Chashme Buddoor” is considered as one of the best
comedy films. He has produced many features & fiction work. Some
documentary “Woods Were lovely Dark & Deep” was released at World
Summit for Sustainable Development, 2002, Johannesburg, South
Africa. It was also the winner of Intermedia Gold Globe Award at 4th
World Media Festival, May 2003, Hamburg. His film “Chandi Prasad Bhatt
ki Kahani Banaam Chipko Andolan” (“Jungle is My Mother’s Home )on
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Internationally renowned Environment Movement, Chipko Movement
(Hug the Tree) of Western Himalayas bagged its leader Chandi Prasad
Bhatt, Ramon Magsaysay Award for community leadership and Berlin
Senate’s Special Award at Green Week Film Festival, Berlin as the Best
film on environmental protection for technology and economy. This
film also won three international awards. “Benefit for whom at whose
cost?” written, produced & directed by him for Ministry of Environment
& Forest won two National Award for the Best Investigative Film. The
film is a national study of the problem of rehabilitation in river valley
projects. He has also received German Televisions Special Award with
Citation and 2000 DM & Certificate of Merit at the ‘Care for Nature’
Environment Film Festival, Bangalore, India. He also produced and
directed “Blue Could Be My Water” a film on River Front Development
of Yamuna River, in and around Delhi for HUDCO. He has also written
and directed “Mumbai Coastline”, a short film on coastline pollution and
coastal regulation zone act. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
G. Shanker
Add: Shanker Films
Plot No. 2, Venkatapuram Colony
Walker Town, Secunderabad
Andhra Pradesh - 500025
P: 91-40-7502943
G. Shanker, has done diploma in photography and cinematography
from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad. He is into
making wildlife films and wildlife research. He is also a member of Sonaco
(Society of Nature conservation). Some of the films produced by him are
“Pelicans of Nelapattu”, 1987, “Otter Home”, 1989 which was presented
in International Otter symposium held in Germany, “A Day in the Deer
Park”, 1997, and “Our Wild Citizens” a film on Nehru Zoological Park,
Hyderabad. “Expedition to an Ancient Jungle”, March 1999 produced
for the A.P. Forest Department, “The Last Wilderness”, Video film on
KBR National Park participated in “Vatavaran 2002” India’s First National
Environment and Wildlife Film Festival. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Gautam Pandey
Add: Riverbank Studio, C-18
Chirag Enclave
New Delhi- 110 048
P: 91-11-26216508, 26410684
E: gautamunderscore@rediffmail.com
wildlife@vsnl.com
W: www.riverbankstudios.com
Gautam Pandey is a young filmmaker who has done some animation
work, worked as an Illustrator and Graphic Designer and also composed
music for various films. His directed film “Kurumbas – Children of the
Blue Mountains” won the Mayor of Prague Award at IFAAFHas. He has
also worked in Tehelka dot com as an Illustrator & Graphics Designer.
Directed a 6 minute animation film for children and adults “Magic of Life”
which was awarded ‘Best Documentary’ in the category of Newcomers
in “Vatavaran 2003” Film Festival. Produced a 2 part series on Gram
Swaraj - Rights of the Child and Empowering Women for the Ministry
of Rural Development and Doordarshan. He has done animation work
in “Earth Matters” an environment series for Doordarshan and “Khullam
Khulla”, children’s film on DD and on the award wining film “Shores of
Silence. His documentary film “Timeless Traveller - The Horseshoe Crab”
was awarded Silver Tree Award for Best Documentary in the category of
wildlife conservation and Award for the Best Documentary in the category
of Revelation. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Gurmeet Sapal
Add: Explorers, 235-B
Shipra Sun City, Indirapuram
Gaziabad, UP
M: 91-9810273726
E: gsapal@yahoo.com
Gurmeet Sapal, a diploma holder in Radio and T.V. Journalism form Indian
Institute of Mass Communication has worked as a Director, Producer,
Cameraperson & Reporter. He started his career with Zee News as a news
reporter. Later he joined moving pictures and graduated to associate-
producer/TV Editor. He has produced several news capsules and short
films. His most challenging project has been photographing and writing
about the Himalayan wildlife and culture for a travel portal Yatraindia.
com. He worked as a cameraperson with eminent wildlife filmmakers
Rajesh and Naresh Bedi. He had directed the Award Winning film
“Chasing Butterflies” at “Vatavaran 2002” - First National Environment
& Wildlife Film Festival. He has also worked as a Mountain & Wildlife
Photographer – Writer for a Travel Portal called “yatraindia.com” and
worked as a Photographer for “Wahindia Magazine”. He has worked as a
Producer of “Namaste from London” for Newswallahs Ltd., as a Reporter
with Zee India Television for English News, Editor for DD Sports Channel,
& “Sports Classic” & also worked as a Reporter / Assistant Producer in
TV AM for “Subah Savere” of DD 1. He has also been the Winner of the
Zee TV Award in Electronic Journalism His documentary film “The Beauty
of Dragon” was nominated in the category of Wildlife Conservation in
“Vatavaran 2003” Film Festival. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
H. B. Muralidhara
Add: Beacon Television
Wing A-1/Flat 103
Siddharth Nagar Building
No. 5, CHS Ltd.
Opposite Dheeraj Savera
Mumbai- 400 066
P: 91-22-56764990
E: murali2@bol.net.in
Under the banner of Beacon Television Mr. Muralidhara has directed and
produced.several programmes for Channels like ZEE TV, DD10, Mumbai
channel, Siti Cable, Doordarshan. Also worked as Freelance TV journalist
for ‘Parakh’. As a journalist reported live in most NDTV and Doordarshan
Election, Analysis from Bombay. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Himanshu Malhotra
Add: Multi Media
C-50 Defence Colony
New Delhi - 110024
P: 91-11-24330000
E: naturewatch@vsnl.com
himanshu@ndb.vsnl.net.in
M.A. in Mass Communications, Himanshu Malhotra has experience in
making environment and wildlife films. He has directed and filmed a
number of documentaries - Siberian Crane Project in Bharatpur, Series
on environment “Prakriti Ek Parichye”, Films for the World Wide Fund
for nature, India, etc. He has made films on bird sanctuaries of Uttar
Pradesh for U.P. Tourism on the Harike Project to remove water hyacinth
by the Army. His main areas of interest are animal rights, environment
and wildlife. He is empanelled with D.A.V.P, I.G.N.O.U, Doordarshan and
Dept. of Horticulture, Gurgaon. His films have particpated in IV Fest,
Bombay Short Film Festiva, Rishab Award for ‘Are we so insensitive to
life’. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Jagdish Vasant Kulkarni
Add: Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra
Open University
Dhyan Gangotri
Gangapur Road, Nasik
Maharashtra- 422 222
P: 91-253-2231481
E: jagdishrasika@hotmail.com
W: www.ycmou.com
Mr. Jagdish Kulkarni, is employed with Y.C.M. Open University since last
12 years as a Technical Incharge in its Audio Visual Production Centre.
He has produced over 200 educational programmes for telecasting
through Doordarshan. He was also actively involved in production of
some T.V. Serials. Mr. Jagdish Kulkarni has proven his excellence as an
editor of a documentary that was awarded a Best Production Prize by
U.G.C. His film “Discovery of God” was screened in Vatavaran 2003 Film
Festival. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Jahar Kanungo*
Add: DMCC Ltd.
9C, Atmaram House
9th Floor, 1, Tolstoy Marg
Connaught Place
New Delhi - 110001
P: 91-11-23315041/ 23315042
F: 91-11-23315041
E: yume@vsnl.com
kanungos@nda.vsnl.net.in
dmccdel@bol.net.in
Has researched, written, directed and produced “In the Shadows of
the Mangroves”. This film has been broadcasted in national and a few
international networks. His scripted, produced and directed film Partners
in Peril, a 30 minute video film on environment was screened in Japan
International Film Festival (Toyama), Wildscreen Film Festival (Bristol),
Environmental Film Festival organised by USIS (Calcutta). This film also
participated in Vatavaran 2002 Film Festival. He has also done research
and photo documentation on Tiger Cult. ∎
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K. Bikram Singh
Add: Cine Arts India
242, SFS Flats, Hauz Khas
New Delhi - 110016
P: 91-11-26866923, 26963684, 26564253
P: 91-11-26866923
M: 91-9811484448
E: bikram@nda.vsnl.net.in
W: www.kbikramsinghfilms.com
Mr. K. Bikram Singh’s interest in serious cinema goes back to the 60’s
when he became a member of ‘Film Forum’ a film society of Mumbai.
He has produced & directed more than 60 documentaries & some have
participated in the International Film Festivals in India & Abroad. He has
been a member, Chairperson of many other film festival’s selection panel
like Short Film Jury for the National Film Awards 1994 & NISCORT film
festival 1999. He also writes a column on life, literature and the arts called
‘Bimb Pratibimb’ in Hindi Daily “Jansatta”. Apart from his film ‘Andhi Gali’
produced in 1994, he directed feature film ‘Tarpan’ (The Absolution)
for the National Film Development Corporation, which won Best Script
Award. “Tarpan” has also participated in the Panorama Section of India’s
International Film Festival in 1995 & has received Aravindan Award for the
Best Debut Film and Naguib Mahfouz Award at Cairo International Film
Festival in 1995. This film also participated in Moscow International Film
Festival, Montreal World Film Festival and Chicago Film Festival in 1995.
A few of his well known documentaries/ television series are ‘Greening
of Ralegan Shindi’ (on the work of environmentalist Anna Sahib Hazare),
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‘Roots of Datia’ (on the regeneration of barren land), ‘Satyajit Ray:
Introspections’, etc. Mr. K. Bikram Singh has a deep interest in issues
relating to the environment, and tourism. He has made 20 documentaries
related to environmental and social issues. The theme and the story
outline of his television serial, ‘Kahin Ek Gaon’ produced in 1995-96 was
conceived by him in 87-88 wile shooting the documentary ‘Greening
of Ralegan Shindi’. This deals with the environmental regeneration of
a village in Maharashtra, led by the well-known environmentalist Anna
Saheb Hazare. He has also produced video series on Indian Painting.
These films have been hailed a landmark works on Contemporary
Indian Painting by the critics. His other important works include a video
documentary “The World of Peries’ and “Of Life and Death’ which were in
the competitive section of the Mumbai International Film Festival 2002.
He has been the President of North India Films Association, Member
Central Selection Panel for Feature Films for Indian Panorama Section of
the Indian International Film Festival (1991), Chairman, Selection Panel
for Non-feature films of Indian Panorama 1992, and Chairman, Short
Film Jury for the National Film Awards - 1994 and Chairman Jury for
NISCORT Film Festival 1999. He is a member of Indian Documentary
Producer’s Association and a life member of Indian Film Director’s
Association. Film and TV producer and director. He has produced and
directed over 60 documentaries, many of which have won national and
international recognition. His company is called Cine Arts India and
in1984 he produced the feature film Andhi Gali, directed by Buddhadeb
Dasgupta. In 1985-86 he was the executive producer of the feature film
New Delhi Times directed by Ramesh Sharma. A few of his well known
documentaries/television series are Contemporary Indian Painting,
Greening of Ralegon Shindi (on the work of environmentalist Anna Sahib
Hazare), In Search of Limelight (on the Junior Artistes of the film industry),
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Satyajit Ray Introspections, Jhilimili Story (on the empowerment of rural
women), Roots of Datia (on the regeneration of barren land), A Painter’s
Portrait (a series on contemporary Indian painters) and Without Malice
(a series on the political history of independent India through published
political cartoons). The film on Ray has been shown in several film
festivals and countries including Japan, the UK and the USA. It was part
of the Indian Panorama Section of India’s International Film Festival in
1991. Roots of Datia was given the special jury award for the best film
in Ecology at the EcoTourIndFilm, in Romania. His feature film Tarpan
(The Absolution) made in 1995 was shown in the Montreal, Chicago and
Moscow Film Festivals. It won the Naguib Mahfouz Award at the Cairo
International Film Festival in 1995. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
K. P. Sasi
Add: ALCOM
139, Second Floorm 10A Cross
1st Phase, J.P.Nagar
Bangalore- 560078
P: 91-80-23650916
E: sasi36@rediffmail.com
Best Film Award, Enfest, Special Jury Prize, Bodrum International,
Environment Film Festival, Turkey
K P Sasi started working as a cartoonist while being a student in JNU
during the late seventies. He started experimentng with films on 8mm
during the early eighties. His documentaries include `A Valley Refuses to
Die’, `We Who Make History’ `Linving in Fear’, `In the Name of Medicine’
and `Voices from a Disaster’ . His feature films include
Ilayum Mullum’ , on the social and psychological violence on women in
Kerala, `Ek Alag Mausam’ and `Shhh...Silence Please’, a silent comedy
film on development. His films have been screened and awarded at
several national and international film festivals. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
K. Raakesh
Add: Comnet Videotech
6A, Pocket 6, MIG Flat
Mayur Vihar - III
P: 91-11-22613200
M: 91-9811290961
E: kraakesh@rediffmail.com
A veteran producer, having many documentaries and shows to his credit.
He has been associated with print and electronic media for over a decade.
Produced documentaries on different subjects like Ancient Architecture,
Social and Developmental issues as well as on Heritage and Education.
Presently doing a series on Traditional musical Instruments of India.
Some of his fiction work include, Prof. Wasan, a detective serial,
Jootha Sach, etc. Social issues film include Nai Subah for Doordarsha,
Antodaya on child labout for ILO and FICCI. Films on Agriculture include
Ek Kahani Patta Bolay for Doordarshan National Network, Jute for Mr.
Pritish Nandy. Films on Women Issues include IGSEP for UNIFEM, Etc.
Eductional Films include Gyan Kosh for IGNOU, and Voice of Gandhi for
Doordarshan, Technical Films include ISO 9000 for ASSOCHAM and NAI
Umang for the Prime Minister Rozgaar Yojna for Small Scale Industries.
Some of his environmental films include Samatnay Sahejnay Ka Vigyan
on tradional water harvesting methods, Chipko ki Yatra for PRIA, Maiti
for HARC on cultural environment conservation movement, Ripples
of Change on Himalayan Eco-rehabilitation for I.D.R.C. (Canada) and
I.C.F.R.E. and Oil Seed Plants of Himalaya for Ministry of Agriculture. He
has also produced short stories and features for Surabhi. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Krishnendu Bose
Add: Earthcare Films
1391, Defence Colony
New Delhi - 110 024
P: 91-11-24334171, 24332005
24332019
F: 91-11-24334068
M: 91-9811843111
E: earthcare1@vsnl.com
W: www.earthcarefilms.com
Krishnendu Bose makes wildlife and conservation films for National, as
well as, International Television. In the last 16 years, Krishnendu has made
films on a variety of subjects from elephants to tigers, from pollution to
human rights and environment issues. He was awarded with the Special
Jury’s Award at the Okomedia Environmental Film Festival for his film on
Food Security – Harvesting Hunger.
Krishnendu Bose, partner, Earthcare Films set up this company for
making wildlife and conservation films. In 1987 he went independent
making environment and wildlife documentaries. He has conducted
workshops in schools and colleges on Environment using his films as
a medium. His interest is now developing the dissemination of films and
making film as an enpowering tool for the communities. He is member
of the Delhi based Environment Activist Organisation, Kalpavriksh and
is involved in few film and dissemination projects with this organisation.
Krishnendu was selected by Rockefeller Foundation, USA for their
international training programme on Environment and Development
(LEAD - Leadership in Environment and Development) for the year 1994-
1997. His organisation Earthcare has been involved in two Television
Series on animal rights and corporate responsibilities in conservation for
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national television. Krishnendu has been involved with BBC’s 6 part series
“Land of the Tiger” as a sequence producer and other programmes such
as “Wild Things” produced by Paramount Television and “World Gone
Wild” a show produced by 20th Century Fox, as the South Asian location
producers.
KRISHNENDU BOSE, after acquiring a Masters degree in Economics
from Delhi School of Economics (1985) got into independent filmmaking
and later with his wife set up this production house. He is member of the
Delhi based Environment Activist Organisation, - Kalpavriksh.
Krishnendu was selected by Rockfeller Foundation, USA for their
international training programme on Environment and Development
(LEAD - Leadership in Environment and Development) for the years ‘94
- ‘97. During this fellowship, Krishnendu read position papers in Costa
Rica, Thailand and Zimbabwe on India’s environment.
KRISHNENDU BOSE, one of the Directors of Earthcare, has a Masters
degree in Economics from Delhi School of Economics. ln 1988 he
set up Earthcare, with the objective of making ecologically relevant
documentaries.
Krishnendu has conducted workshops in schools and colleges on
Environment using his films as a medium. He is a member of the Delhi
based environment activist organisation, Kalpavriksh.
Krishnendu was selected by The Rockefeller Foundation, USA for their
international training programme LEAD (Leadership in Environment and
Development) for the year `94-’97. During this fellowship, Krishnendu
read position papers on India’s environment in Costa Rica, Thailand and
Zimbabwe.
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Krishnendu was invited by The Environmental Investigative Agency (EIA),
UK to attend the Elephant Conference at Johannesburg in May `97. He
presented his film on Asian elephants there.
Director, Earthcare Films. He is an environmentalist who wants to make
a difference in this world of waning ecological values through moving
images. Together with Madhurima Sen Bose, the other director, he seeks
to create public opinion and sensitise policy makers on key environment
and development issues. His films are screened and used by NGOs
as well as government workers at the grassroot level for helping the
environment conservation movement. Harvesting Hunger, a film on
the politics of food in India won the special jury award at Okomedia
Environment Film Festival in Freiburg, Germany in 2000. Earthcare Films
is working on making environment films as educational packages for
campaigns or movements and a series for television channels. The team
has worked with BBC, Paramount Television, Fox Family Channel and
Scandinature Films, Sweden. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Krupakar
Add: No. 1, 12th Cross
V.V. Mohalla, Mysore
Karnataka
P: 91-821-2519211
E: senani@sancharnet.in
Mr. Krupakar and Mr. Senani are a duo of wildlife photographers /
filmmakers who have worked in the Western Ghats for over 20 years,
under the name Krupakar Senani. Their photographs have been
published in a number of wildlife magazines both in India and abroad.
They have worked as consultants and camerapersons to a number
of international television producers, apart from producing 12 wildlife
documentaries for local television. They have been actively involved in
social and conservation activities in Karnataka. Alongside, for the past
eight years, they are doing an intensive study of pack dynamics of the
Asiatic wild dog in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. They have received
Sahitya Academy Award, Karnataka’s highest literary award in 1999. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Mandakini Mathur
Add: Dr. Nivsarkar’s Bunglow
Mahabaleshwar Road
Panchgani
Maharashtra - 412805
P: 91-2168-241220
E: kinokino@rediffmail.com
Has done DEA, Pre-doctoral course specialising in film aesthetics from
New Sorbonnne University, Paris and M.Phil. in French cinema from
Paris and Film and Intensive course in Filmmaking from ARSCIPRO,
Paris. For the last six years, she has been teaching Media Awareness
and Communication skills to High School children where the process of
filmmaking is used as a means of exploring values, feelings and reality.
Her recent work includes documentaries in video as well as celluloid
format on subjects related to Indian culture and philosophy. Some of her
films include Looking for a God with River Krishna, Fire on the Mountain,
The Clay Cart amongst others. Currently she is involved in making
World Wars and enquiry. She has also scripted and directed several
street plays with children such as Panchvati, Chauraha, Padhaai Pump,
Lokmat, etc. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Meenakshi Rai
Add: Leoarts Communication
A-103, LGF, Amar Colony
Lajpat Nagar -IV
New Delhi-110 024
P: 91-11-26488898
F: 91-11-26216536
E: raientertainment@yahoo.com
The filmmaker duo of Meenakshi and Vinay Rai is passionate about
creating films of social relevance. Their latest film Kashish won nomination
in San Francisco International Film Festival and First Indo-British Digital
Film Festival. With many nominations and two awards to their credit, the
couple is currently working on their next film Mein Buddha Nahi and
Barish.
Producer, Leoarts Communication. She started out as a camerawoman
and eventually ventured into creating short films on issues of social
relevance. Her independent work includes documentaries on revival
of dying folk arts in Haryana, architecture of tombs and women’s
issues. Her film Love, dealing with a young adult’s perception of love
was screened at the International Conference of Young People in 1999.
Her film Revolution, a tribute to Mother Teresa, was nominated for the
KURZ Short Film Festival, Hamburg. The documentary film Can’t Take It
Anymore! dealing with sexual harassment at work got nominated to the
Mumbai International Film Festival 2002. She also conducts audio-visual
workshops for physically challenged children. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Mike H. Pandey
Add: Riverbank Studios
C-18, Chirag Enclave
New Delhi - 110 048
P: 91-11-26410684
F: 91-11-26216508, 26216508
E: wildlife@vsnl.com
rvrbanks@giasdl01.vsnl.net.in
W: www.riverbankstudios.com
Mike Pandey is an internationally renowned wildlife filmmaker and
conservationist. Born in Kenya, Mike trained in UK and USA before
returning to India to work in the country of his origin. Has done Diploma in
film Direction and Cinematograpy from The London Film School Euston,
UK, Diploma in Sound Engineering and Special Effects Photography
from The Regent Street Polytechnic London, UK, Specialisation-
Director special Effects, Sound Effects from Universal and MGM Studios
Hollywood, USA. Committed and dedicated to the protection of Indian
wildlife and environment, Mike’s films have always reflected his passion.
In 1994 became the first Asian ever to win the Wild Screen Panda Award
also known as the ‘Green Oscar’ for his film The Last Migration – Wild
elephant Caputre in Sarguja. Six years later his film Shores of Silence
– Whale Sharks in India won him the Green Oscar for a second time.
The film was also instrumental in giving the Whale Shark International
protection. In November 2002, a resolution was passed at the CITES
convention in Santiago, Chile giving the Whale Shark global protection.
Other awards received were The Citta Di Torino at the Cinemambiente
Awards 2001, The 6th Sichuan festival 2001, The honour of Knowledge
Award at Baristlava, Slovakia 2001 and The Cineciencia International
Award 2001
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Wildlife filmmaker and conservationist. He has produced and directed
a wide spectrum of films on natural history and environment and also
educational series for children. He has directed one of India’s most
popular public interest environmental TV series, Earth Matters. In 1994,
he became the first Asian to win the Wildscreen Panda Award, also
known as the Green Oscar, for his film The Last Migration - Wild Elephant
Capture in Sarguja. In 2000, his film Shores of Silence - Whale Sharks in
India, won the Green Oscar for the second time. The film also led to the
ban on the killing of whale sharks on Indian shores. This film also won the
Golden Jury Award -at Worldfest, Houston -2002, 6th Sichuan TV Festival
China - 2001 and Citta Di Torino at the Cinemembiente Awards - 2001.
Honey Hunters of the Blue Mountains won the Mayor of Prague Award at
International FAAF, 2002, Festival International du Film Animalier Albert,
2001 and second prize, Earth Vision, Santa Cruz, USA. The television
series Earth Matters has won four international awards including the
Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Award in England 2002.
Is a member of various organisations such as British Kinematograph
Sound and Television Society, Royal Geographic Society, UK, Television
Trust for the Environment, UK, Film Directors Association of India, Indian
Documentary Producers Association. Is a correspondent in Global T.V.,
USA and Mauritian Television. He is on the panel of Films Division, GOI,
Doordarshan, Department of Audio Visual Productions, GOI, Department
of Tourism, GOI. Is a Member of Jury for Green Oscars; Wildscreen
Panda Awards 2002; 42nd National Film Festival: National Awards for
Feature Films, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; 44th National
Film Festival: National Awards for Feature films, Ministry of I & B. and
Chairman of Technical Committee, International Film Festival 1998/2000.
He has also been in the Steering Committee of Project Elephant, Ministry
of Environment and Forests, GOI. He has also been a Consultant to
various orgnaisations such as York Jamia Mass Communication Research
Centre, Conservation of Indian Wildlife and Educational Films Workshop,
etc. He is a visiting lecturere in Mass Communication Research Centre
(MCRC), Jamia Milia Islamia. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Mita Chandran
Add: Mokshaa, 1st Floor
6-3-248/G, Road No. 1
Banjara Hills, Hyderabad
P: 91-40-23305665
M: 91-36881281
E: mita@mokshaa.com
info@mokshaa.com
W: www.mokshaa.com
Mita Chandra majored in Graphic Design and Film as Medium of Mass
Communication from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. Ms. Mita
Chandran started her career in advertising – worked as Copywriter,
Client Servicing Manager and Creative Director. Currently she runs
her own production house called Mokshaa and worked with Infocom
Communications, Calcutta – on Corporate and Documentary Video’s.
Her clients include Macneil and Magor, Orind Refractories, Wesman,
Nippon Denro Ispat, REACH, EZCC, Calcutta. She has worked as a
Script Writer, Director and Producer for several organisations such as
Jain Studios, Calcutta, DiTV, Infocom Communications, Calcutta, Lintas,
Calcutta, ISKCON, Impact Communications, Sunrise Productions, etc.
Her productions include ‘Dhage Prem Ke’ a docudrama for Asian Artists
of Oman, Corporate production for Hindustan Gas (HGI) Aditya Birla
Group. She has also funtioned as Joint Head of Usha Kiron Channel,
Hyderabd. She has also made videos for the AP Tourism Multimedia CD’s
on wildlife, heritage, art, culture, etc. She has also scripted and directed
a documentary on ‘Nirnaya’ (NGO) covering women’s development for
CDC, Hyderabad. Mokshaa is headed by Mita Chandran, an experienced
producer, director and scriptwriter. She has worked with the following:
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Infocom Communications, Calcutta - on Corporate and Documentary
Video’s:
●
Macneil & Magor, Calcutta
●
Orind Refractories, Orissa
●
Wesman, Calcutta
●
Nippon Denro Ispat, Calcutta
●
Worthington Pumps, Calcutta
●
Eastern Zone Cultural Center (EZCC) Calcutta
●
REACH (School for the mentally & physically challenged), Calcutta,
etc.
Jain Studio’s, Calcutta - as Scriptwriter, Director and
Executive Producer on Corporate and Documentary Video’s:
●
Nippon Denro Ispat
●
Tata Tea
●
Tata Bearings
●
ITC
●
ICI
●
Polar Fans
●
Department of Woman & Child Welfare (Center)
●
National Mineral Water Company, Oman
●
Sweets of Oman, Oman
●
Peerless Group
●
Indian Shaving Products (7 ‘O’ Clock blades).
For Jain Studio’s, Calcutta - Script/ Direction:
●
Kalamandir, Bhubaneswar - TV commercial.
For Shruti Mass Communications:
●
Indera Textiles - TV commercial.
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For DiTV - as Executive Producer for Doordarshan serials:
●
Gaan Point - 26 episodes.
●
Brain Masala - 13 episodes.
●
Phoshke Galo - 10 episodes.
●
Adbhut - Pilot episode
For Infocom Communications, Calcutta - Script / Direction:
●
Indo Flogates - Corporate
For Lintas, Calcutta - Script / Production / Direction:
●
ea Board Presentation
For ISKON, Calcutta - Executive Producer:
●
Abhay Charan - Serial on DD1
For Impact Communications, Calcutta - Script:
●
Garden Reach Shipbuilders - Corporate
For Sunrise Productions, Calcutta - Scripts for:
●
Metro Plaza - Launch Video
●
Film music based show - DD Gowahati
For Decibel Audio Visuals, Calcutta - Script/Direction/Production:
●
ALSOC, Calcutta - Documentary
●
St. Xavier’s, Calcutta - Documentary
●
Coal India - Corporate
●
A. Sirkar - Documentary
●
Philips India - Marketing Video’s
●
Philips India - Documentary
●
Medilink - Multimedia/Documentary
●
Assam Valley School - Documentary
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Mita Chandran Productions:
‘Dhage Prem Ke’ - Docudrama for Asian Artistes of Oman - sponsored by
Citibank - Telecast on DD National Network
General Telecom, Oman - TV commercial Usha Kiron Television, ETV -
Bangla, Hyderabad- Senior Producer, Ramoji Film City. Functioned as
joint head of the channel. Javelin Mediaworx Ltd, HiTec City, Hyderabad -
Consultant- Head of Film Dept & Project Head on AP Tourism Multimedia
CD’s, and on Naandi Foundation website.
Made the following films: All the video’s for the AP Tourism Multimedia
CD’s on wildlife, heritage, art & culture, food & shopping, places of
worship and Buddhist circuit. AP Tourism video’s for H & F S Awards.
MAA TV launch film. Produced & Directed: Tata Cellular Video for Dealer
conference in Sri Lanka.. Script & Direction:
Documentary on ‘Nirnaya’ (NGO) covering women’s development, for
Center For Development Communication (CDC), Hyderabad.
· Documentary for IMRC on Gujarat riots for fund raising abroad. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Mitali Dutt Kakar
Add: Reef Watch Marine
Conservation
Priyanka Bldg
50 St. Pauls Road
Bandra (W), Mumbai
P: 91-22-26518223
F: 91-22-26518209
E: reefwatch@usa.net
W: www.reefwatchindia.org
Mitali Dutt Kakar is the founder of Reef Watch an NGO dedicated to
Marine Conservation. Her experience in filmmaking ranges from working
as a Production Assistant with Genesis Film Production Pvt. Ltd to
conducting education awareness, training and research in the field of
marine conservation. She has been associated with making environment
films for quite sometimes now.
Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication and CMAS 2 Scuba
Diving Instructor. She has been nominated as a governing body member
of Wildlife Institute of India by Government of India. She has also started
Offspring, a Film Production House independently doing films for clients
like Pepsi, Britannia, ITC, Nestle, HLL, Blowplast, etc. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Nandan Saxena
Add: Top Quark Productions
C-227, Anand Vihar
Delhi 110 092
P: 91-11-22152787
F: 95120-2490627
M: 91-9810367244
E: nandansaxena@hotmail.com
Nandan Saxena has done Diploma in Journalism from Bharatiya Vidya
Bhavan, Delhi. He is into Direction, Camera, Editing and Scripting. He is
currently working on a cultural travelogue on the journey to the 1,006-
year-old monastery in the village of Tabo in the Lahaul and Spiti district
of Himachal Pradesh. He has produced and directed a documentary
on the small hydro for the UNDP and the Ministry of Non-Conventional
Energy Sources, Government of India. Produced and directed a film on
River Yamuna for the Ministry of Environment and Forests. His film Agaria:
The Sons of Fire was screened in the National Video Competition at the
Mumbai International Film festival 2000. Has also produced two spots on
Drug De-addictionfor Navajyoti, Delhi Police Foundation. Produced and
directed a 15 minute film on the activities of Akhil Bhartiya Gramin Uthan
Samiti, an NGO in Rajasthan. He has worked as a Producer - Director
for a weekly programme Nature Trail on the human aspect of ecological
questions. Has also produced and directed few programmes for the
communication group such as Chunav Chunauti ‘98, Babu Ji, Simatati
Doorian and Dunkel Aur Hum. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Naresh Bedi
Add: Bedi Films
E-19, Rajouri Garden
New Delhi
P: 91-11-25439939, 25441864
25440950
F: 91-11-25430850
M: 91-9811051086, 9811195721
E: bedifilms@vsnl.com
bedifilms@touchtelindia.com
Naresh Bedi worked as a freelance cameraperson for numerous
documentaries and features for leading broadcasters and production
houses the world over. Is a director and cameraman. Graduated in
Motion Picture Photography from the FTII Pune in 1969 with a gold
medal for the best all round student and awarded Silver Medal for best
photographed diploma film.
Besides his specialized field of Indian Natural History, he has also
worked on a wide spectrum of subjects – culture and religion, agriculture
and astrology, architecture and anthropology. He has also worked as
a B unit camera on some of the famous Box office productions. He
has received 11 awards and citations for the films he photographed,
produced and directed. His awards include Best Wildlife Cameraman at
International Wildlife Film and Television Festival Wildscreen 1984 for The
Ganges Gharial and a nomination for British Academy Awards for Saving
the Tiger/ Man Eating Tigers in 1987. His film Rhino The Indian Unicorn,
Gir Lion The last Refuge, Arrival of the Olive Ridleys were nominated in
Vatavaran 2003 Film Festival in the category of wildlife conservation.
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Naresh and Rajesh Bedi have worked together as filmamkers and
photographers for over 30 years. They have travelled to the remotest
corners of India to produce pictorial books and films on the cultural and
natural heritage of the country. They established their firm Bedi Brothers
in 1970 and nurtured it to become one of the leading producers of world
class documentaries. Naresh Bedi has received acclaim for films on the
gharial, elephant and tigers which have been shown at prime time by
major TV networks of the world. Their work has been awarded nationally
and internationally many times. Naresh won the Panda or the Green
Oscar for Best wildlife cameraman at the International wildlife film and
television festival of New york in 1985 for his film The Ganges Gharial.
Their two tiger films were nominated for the British Academy Awards in
1987. Rajesh was adjudged the wildlife photograher of the year 1986 in
a worldwide competition in England. Rajesh was the cinematographer
of a hour long film on the Child Prostitutes for a Canadian Broadcasting
Corporation which was awarded the world’s highest television award the
Emmy’.
Naresh and Rajesh Bedi inherited their love for nature from their father
Dr. Ramesh Bedi, a noted scholar of Indian medicinal plants. Th brothers
took naturally to filmmakking and photography so that they could bring
the splendor of India’s wildernesses into people’s homes. Naresh Bedi
studies filmmaking at Asia’s foremost film and television Institute of India
at Pune while Rajesh Bedi excelled as a self-taught photographer. Both
brothers have attained eminence in their chosen field. Their wildlife
photos and footage while spreading a strong conservation message
have also made significant contributions to the subcontinent’s natural
history. The Bedi Brothers have risked their lives several times to achieve
these goals. ∎
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Nikhil J. Alva
Add: Miditech Pvt. Ltd
B-59, Greater Kailash - I
New Delhi
P: 91-11-26284778-84
F: 91-11-26282190
E: nikhil@miditech.org
W: www.miditech.org
Nikhil Alva, with his brother Niret Alva, in 1992 set up Miditech, a production
house that specializes in environment and travel programming. One of
this earliest successes as a producer was his film Living on the Edge,
India’s first comprehensive environment series that ran continuously for
5 years and also won three awards: The Pinnacle, a national award; as
the Best Information Series which is an international award - the Green
Oscar, the Panda Award atWildscreen, in 1996 and the Silver Tree Award
for Best Environment series in Vatavaran 2002. He directed and scripted
The Lions of Gir which won a Special Jury Award at Vatavaran 2002 film
festival. After winning accolades for travel shows like the Great Escape
telecast on a number of international networks around the globe, and
presenting and directiong some episodes of Off the Beaten Path, that
featured adventure in lesser known regions of India, Nikhil was ready to
plunge into an area he is passionate about - natural history film-making.
He directed and scripted The Lions of Gir a 52-minute film on the last
surviving Asiatic lions in the forests of Gir in western India. Nikhil spent 2
years researching and filmming the project in the forests of Gir. The film
shot on 16 mm, captures the fight for survival that is played out each day
between lions and Maladhari tribe’s people. Distributed worldwide by
Granada International, Lions of Gir has been sold to Singapore, Spain,
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Portugal, Korea, Scadinavia, Discovery Channel, etc. This film also won
the Special Jury Award at Vatavaran 2002, India’s largest environment
film festival. It was also a finalist at Wildscreen 2002, Bristol, UK and
has been screened at several national and international film festivals.
He won a commission under the Reel Talent Category of the NGC-EDB
project that aimed at identifying new talent in Asia and directed Operation
Hot Pursuit, the half hour film on the illegal ivory trade in Asia. Besides
television, Nikhil is also passionate about music and pistol shooting.
Producers, directors and anchors for television serials and programmes
on environment, natural history, travel and adventure, the two brothers
set up their production house, Miditech in 1992. Living on the Edge,
India’s first comprehensive environment series, ran continuously for five
years on Doordarshan and Star Plus and won them the Green Oscar in
1996 and the Silver Tree Award at the Vatavaran environment film festival
in 2002. It also won the national award, Pinnacle, for the best information
series. Their automotive show Wheels received the Asian Television
Award. The Lions of Gir, a 52-minute film on the last surviving Asiatic lions,
was researched, scripted, produced and directed by the two brothers
and was distributed round the world by Granada International. It won a
special jury award at Vatavaran 2002 and was nominated for Wildscreen
2002. Miditech also produces RAAAh (Zee, India’s first reality game show),
Commandos for BBC World. It also produced special reports on India
for CNN’s Gary Strieker, BBC’s Earth Report and National Geographic’s
One World, One Weather. When Nikhil and Niret setup Miditech in 1992,
their vision was to produce hard hitting programs on environmental and
social issues, travel and culture in India and a series on the fast emerging
segment - infotainment. One of the earliest successes as a producer for
Nikhil was “Living on the Edge”, India’s first comprehensive environment
series. Shot in remote parts of the Indian sub-continent as well as in parts
of South East Asia, it featured environmental issues as well as threats to
wildlife. A popular and critically acclaimed show, the first of its kind on
the Indian television, “Living on the Edge” went on to win The Pinnacle
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Awards as the Best Information Series, the “Green Oscar” or the Panda
Award at Wildscreen in 1996. “Living on the Edge” also won the Silver
Tree Award for Best Environment series at Vataavaran 2002. After winning
accolades for travel shows like “The Great Escape” telecast on a number
of international networks around the globe, and presenting and directing
some episodes of “Off the Beaten Path”, featuring adventure in lesser
known regions of India, Nikhil was ready to plunge into an area he is
passionate about - natural history film-making. He directed and scripted
“The Lions of Gir” a 52-minute film on the last surviving asiatic lions in
the forests of Gir in western India. The film, shot on 16 mm, captures
the fight for survival played out each day between lions and Maladhari
tribe’s people. “Lions of Gir” won a Special Jury Award at Vatavaran
2002, India’s largest environment film festival. The film was a finalist at
Wildscreen 2002, Bristol, UK and has been screened at several national
and international film festivals.
Nikhil directed India’s first adventure reality game show “R.A.A.A.H”
for Zee TV. The series pitched five married couples against each other
in extreme terrain. With a crew about 80 strong on location, “RAAAH”
was one of the largest productions on Indian television. The leap from
adventure - reality to fiction did not take long. Miditech produced a show
“Kabhi Biwi Kabhi Jasoos”, the story of a house wife metamorphosing
into an Indian version of Miss Marple, albeit a fashionable one, for Sony
TV. “Saara Akaash”, currently on Star Plus, is one of the most popular
serials. “Saara Akaash” is the first fictional look on Indian Airforce.
Miditech’s youth oriented shows such as “Bakra”, “Record Tod”,”Bum
Mein Dum”, and “Roadies”, on MTV, have created their own following
among the young and the restless. ”Bum Mein Dum” was highly
commended as the most Innovative Program in it’s category at the Asian
Television Awards.
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Nikhil directed and co-scripted “Operation Hot Pursuit’, a half hour film
on the illegal ivory trade in Asia for National Geographic Channel.
A recent Miditech production, “The Great Descent” documented an
international team of professional river runners on a ten day expedition
down the unexplored Brahmaputra.The fifty two minute film recently won
the award for Best Editing and was Highly Commended for Best Direction
at The Asian Television Awards, 2003. Nikhil’s latest production is Hum
2 Hai na, a daily on Sony Entertainment Television, that tells the story of
two girls Kareena and Koel and their love for music. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Nina Subramani
Add: Elephant Corridor Films
# 13, South Park Appts
Kalkaji, New Delhi-110 019
P: 91-11-35001859, 33469961
M: 91-9810331301, 9811007797
E: mail@elephantcorridor.org
W: www.elephantcorridor.org
Nina Subramani a graduate in Zoology, has for nearly 14 years worked
with the Student Sea Turtle Conservation Network in Chennai. Later
she received a masters degree in Film and television from Jamia
Millia Islamia University. Today she is committed to making films on
environmental and development issues. Her films include Kalpavriksha
– Legacy of the Forests, on medicinal plants and Two People One
Movement comparing peoples’ movements in Europe and India. She
along with her partner Rajani Mani has set up Elephant Corridor Films in
2001 which is committed towards making films such as environment and
public health, wildlife and natural resource management, development
issues and matters of public policy. Her first independent production ‘
IN God’s Own Country’ was nominated for the 10th Annual Raindance
Film Festival, at the Pennsylvania documentary film festival 2002 and
also in Vatavaran 2003 Film Festival, New Delhi. Nina’s early childhood
was spent on the Chennai coast where she was actively involved with
the Student Sea Turtle Conservation Network for more than 10 years.
Later she got a Masters degree in Film and Television from New Delhi’s
Jamia Millia University. Her first directorial venture “Kalpavriksha, Legacy
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of the Forests” is a film on medicinal plants commissioned by UNESCO.
She also directed Khamoshi Kyon, a talk show on AIDS-related issues
for the National Network, as well as Terra Quiz, an environmental quiz
programme produced by TERI. She was one of 12 Indians selected to
participate in an environment documentary workshop by the Thomson
Foundation, Wales in 1999. This resulted in a film ‘Two Peoples One
Movement’ a documentary comparing peoples ’ movements in Europe
and India. ∎
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P. Baburaj
Add: ALCOM or
Third Eye Communications
101, NF Garden, NF Gate
Tripunithura, Kerala - 682301
P: 91-484-2784333
P. Baburaj has been associated since 1982 with Alternative
Communications Forum (ALCOM), a filmmakers’ collective involved in
producing videos and films on various issues. He co-scripted Ilayum
Mullum (Leaves & Thorns), a Malayalam feature film directed by K. P.
Sasi, which was screened at fourteen International festivals. An outside
programme producer for C-DIT Trivandrum. Recent film is Candles in
the Wind on the Gujarati Earth Quake. His ‘Chaliyar…The Final Struggle’
co-directed with C. Saratchandran, received a Special Mention in the
MIFF 2000 and Bronze Tree Award in “Vatavaran 2002”. ∎
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P. Balan
Add: Aumpu Media trust /
sivani Creations
c/o.Sukrutham Magazin
pothole road trichur
Ernakulam Kerala
P: 91-484-784510
F: 91-484-781075
E: adityabala@satyam.net.in
P. Balan, during his college days was drawn into environmental issues
as part of a campaign against felling of trees on campus in which he
assumed a leadership role. He also became deeply involved with the
filmsociety movement in the state through which he gained acquaintance
with the film medium. In 1989 he joined All India Radio as a trasmission
executive and has since produced over a hundred programmes on
social and environmental issues, three of which have won national
awards and six merit certificates. Initiated by him, the ANMPU Media
Trust was formed in 1995 at Trissur by a small group of like-minded
individuals with the objective of exploring alternative media practices
including production of documentaries and organizing the screening of
serious films –classics and documentaries & shorts- on human rights/
environmental/other social issues in campuses and even remote villages
to promote awareness. Has won several awards for his film such as
Aanpoovu [male flower] won Honorary Jury Mention at the Oberhausen
International Documentary Film Festival in 1997; Kerala State Television
Award for the Best Documentary 2001. This film was also selected in
7 international film festivals and screened in several major international
universities as port of the Film south Asia Programme. Melavalavu-beta/28
mts/prod. ISS, New Delhi. The 18th elephant was selected & screened
in the International category of the Mumbai International Documentary &
Short Film Festival 2002. ∎
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Prabhu Jhingran
Add: Doordarshan Kendra
Director
24 Ashok Mark
Lucknow - 611414
P: 91-11-2205752
F: 91-11-2287268
M: 91-9839012884
Prabhu Jhingran is a Director with Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan Kendra,
Lucknow. Has participated in various training programmes and involved
in journalist activities. Has written more than 550 articles, interviews,
comments, features and reports published in different newspapers,
magazines and periodicals. U.P. Hindi Sansthan awarded his book titled
Doordarshan published in 1996 and Television ki Duniya was awarded
the best book of the year in Journalism category by Hindi Sansthan,
Govternment of U.P. Awarded as Best Story Writer of the University
(B.H.U.) in 1970-71.
Participated in more than 25 drama shows as stage decorator, art director
and actor. Produced and directed various documentaries like 30 minutes
documentaries on Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya, Pt. Gobind Vallabh,
Rashtrakavi Pt. Madav Shukla for national telecast as outside producer
using facilities from Lucknow Doordarshan, etc.
Awarded in Feb 99 the Paryavaran Mitra award by the U.P. Government.
∎
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Pradeep Nair
Add: Film Buff Productions
Vasanthi Mandiram
Olesha P.O., Kottayam
Kerala -686014
P: 91-481-516261
E: pradeepnairfb@rediffmail.com
Pradeep Nair, a member in Indian Documentary Producers Association
has done Post Graduate Diploma in communication and Journalism,
Kerala Press Academy, Kochi and Film Appreciation Course from Film
& Television Institute of India (F.T.I.I.), Pune. He has got 5 Years of
experience in Print Media. Worked as Sub- Editor / Correspondent in
a Malayalam Language daily. Edited Art, Literary and Film pages from
1990 - 1995. Working in the field of Film and T.V. Production from 1995-
2001. He has scripted and directed films like Man vs Nature The Struggle
Eternal a documentary film on landslides in high ranges of Kerala. This
film participated and screened in various International and National Film
Festivals like 5th Mumbai International Film festival for documentaries
and short films in March 1998, entered in Prakriti 98 festival of Indian
documentaries on environment, human rights and development. It was
also screened in International festival of video and telefilms organised
by SOORYA in September 1998. He has also worked on films on AIDS,
Street Children, etc. ∎
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Pradip Saha
Add: Centre for Science &
Environment
41, Tughlakabad Institutional Area
New Delhi - 110 062
P: 91-11-29955124; 29956110
29956394
F: 91-11-29955879/5870
E: cse@cseindia.org
psaha@cseindia.org
Pradip Saha has mostly worked on visual media, as photographer,
graphic designer till 2002, then became the Managing Editor of Down
to Earth Magazine. He has made few videos on issues of environment
and development with a special focus on water issues. He designed
exhibitions on water in World Water Forum in The Hague. Some
of the Films produced and directed by him includes Bandits and the
Backhanders (2000), Arvari: The Miracle River (2000), Smog Inc (1998),
Life Under Wildlife (1998) and Spirits of Forest (1998). His film Waterworks
India: Four Engineers and a Manager (1998) has been widely screened
in India and abroad like at the 10th International Rainwater Catchment
Systems Conference ‘Rainwater International 2001’ at Mannheim,
Germany and at Second World Water Forum in Hague in March 2000.
National and international television channels including Doordarshan
National and German Television Station have used stories and video
footages of this film. 250 copies of his film have been sold to various
NGOs, corporate sector, schools, colleges and universities, etc. this film
also won the Second Best Documentary’ award in the category of Theme
of the Festival ‘Water’ in Vatavaran 2003 Film Festival. ∎
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Pramod & Neelima Mathur
Add: B-27, (1st floor)
Nizamuddin East
New Delhi 110013
P: 91-11-24354927
F: 91-11-24357928
E: mathur@del2.vsnl.net.in
Producer/director, researcher and script writer, respectively, for Spotfilms.
They have been running this news and features agency for TV channels
in India for the last three decades. Their main areas of production are
ethnographic and current affairs programmes for Doordarshan, India,
ZDF and Transtel, Germany. They also make developmental programmes
for the institutional sector in India and abroad. Their clients include
USAID India, The Policy Project and Population Reference Bureau,
Washington DC, Tata Energy Research Institute and National Literacy
Mission, New Delhi. Among their better known productions are Pulse of
a Nation on the changing dynamics of population related issues in India;
On the Fence on the Chipko movement of the Himalayas; Terraview -- a
series on environment and energy issues in India; Parivartan -- campaign
spots on literacy; The Idus on a Mongloid tribe in Arunachal Pradesh in
north-east India; The Silent One on urban slum and The Invisible One on
tribal girl child. The Mathurs have recently set up a trust, Foundation for
Responsible Media (FORM), to support informative and developmental
television production. ∎
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Prashant Sareen
Add: Small Screen
5/7, Basement
Sarva Priya Vihar
New Delhi - 110 016
P: 91-11-24355941
F: 91-11-24353825
E: prashant@small-screen.com
Prasahant Sareen is the co-founder and director of Small Screen. He
was the Senior Executive Producer, Sony Entertainment Television.
He also worked as the Producer of Newstrack, India’s premier current
affairs programme. Directed and scripted a 30 minute documentary on
the issue of water scarcity in Rajasthan for PSBT. Directed and scripted
over 20 corporate film since Small Screen was founded. Co-produced
Chadar a documentary for India’s national television channel on a winter
trade route in Zanskar. Prashant was the Senior Executive Producer,
Sony Entertainment Television. He also worked, as the Producer of
Newstrack, India’s premier current affairs programme produced for the
Star Plus Channel. Produced Pilot programmes for CNN Asia and BBC
World. Received Best Travel Documentary award in Spring Fest 2000,
eveo.com, San Francisco and received a Special Jury Mention at the
Okinawa Film Festival, Japan for film Chadar. ∎
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Prashant Shashikant Kulkarni
Add: Audio Visual Centre
Yashwantrao Chauhan Maharashtra
Open University
Dhyan Gangotri
Near Gangapur Dam, Nashik
P: 91-11-2231481, 2231714, 15
F: 91-11-2231716
E: pskulkarni8@yahoo.co.in
W: www.ycmou.com
Prashant Shashikant Kulkarni is a Producer- Cameraman at Audio Video
Centre of Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik
since 1992. He has produced about 50 video programmes related
to every aspesct of life in various types of presentation techniques.
He received award for Overall Best Educational Video Programme
Production at University Grants Commissions Annual Video Festival held
at Ahmedabad in 1994. His deep interests are in the areas of wildlife,
nature and art related video programmes.
Previously was in the service of Educational Media Research Centre
as Freelance Cameraman at University of Poona, since 1987.
Hasdone Diploma in Journalism and Masters Degree in Educational
Communication. ∎
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Rakesh Sharma
Add: 401/ 26, Om Chaitanya
POPCO, Versova
Mumbai - 400061
P: 91-22-26301582
M: 91-9820353103
E: actindia@vsnl.com
rakesh_film@yahoo.com
Mr. Rakesh Sharma, an eminent filmmaker, had been involved in film
making since 1986. He went into making independent documentary
filmmaking from 2001 onwards.
He has been associated with numerous film and television channels
like the Doordarshan as a Consultant on air presentation and Channel
Design; ZEE Gold (Zee USA) on Channel Design; Vijay TV as Consultant
Programming, Channel ops, etc., and Star Plus (India) as their
Network Executive Producer/ Head, etc. He was also into Freelance TV
newsgathering.
His work has been felicitated with numerous awards like Robert
Falherty prize at the Pennsylvania Film Festival (2002), Le Prix De la
Presse Politique award for the best documentary film at 16th Fribourg
International Film Festival (Switzerland), John Michaels memorial award
for best documentary in Big Muddy film festival USA amongst others.
Best Documentary (feature length) at Big mini DV Film Festival (USA),
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Earth vision Award, Earth vision filmfest 2003 (Japan), Special Jury
Award, Ecocinema 2002 (Greece, Sept 2002), Jury Citation/Mention at
Black International Cinema Fest (Germany), Jury Citation/Mention at
Earthvision 2002 (U.S.A.) and Certificato Di Merito Bronzo, 12th Prix,
Leonardo, Italy (2003).
The director Rakesh Sharma has worked extensively in film and television
since 1985. He works as a consultant for broadcasting channels in the
areas of programming, on-air presentation and live television. ∎
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Ram S. Pejawar
Add: Peajawar and Pejawar
A1/7, Dattaprasad Apartments
10th Main, Malleswaram
Bangalore - 560003
P: 91-80-3348429
F: 91-80-3348429
E: pejawar@vsnl.com
Has produced various films such as Katha Vyakti - a programme for
children entered in international Children’s film festival, entered in Asian
Broadcaster’s Union Meet, Refugee of the millennium a wildlife film on
the Asian Elephant entered in Vatavaran 2002 Film Festival.
Has produced several films on wildlife such as Running Wild, Running
Free, a programme for kids on animals and nature in 87 which was well
received in schools. Harakke a children’s Film on live animal sacrifices
on DD Bangalore and Refugee of the Millenium a wildlife film on the
Asian Elephant highlighting the man-elephant conflict in Karnataka. A
film on Developing a Media Strategy for Karnataka forest department. A
website for the wildlife division of Karnataka Forest Department. ∎
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Ramesh Menon
Add: 35-D, Nilgiri-1
Sector - 34,
Noida - 201 303
P: 95120-2506089, 2506210
M: 91-9811633769
E: ramesh@teri.res.in
rameshmenon100@rediffmail.com
Ramesh Menon, Director of Global Warning! presently working with TERI
has 25 years of media experience and has produced scores of television
programmes dealing with current affairs in India. His film Taj Mahal-Not a
Love Story produced for the World Bank has been to numerous festivals.
He has scripted numerous documentaries and produced environmental
shows for Indian television. Has authored a book Caste & Communal
Time Bomb on communal violence in Gujarat, India. Has produced news
documentary on earthquake victims in Latur., India, dealing with the
psychological trauma they are battling with. His film “Global Warning!”
deals with “how climate change is going to be the greatest challenge for
man in the years to come and what can be done about it” was nominated
in Vatavaran 2003 Film Festival.
He has worked for newspapers, magazines, television and the new media.
He was an Associate Editor of India Today and Executive Producer with
Business India, Television, TV Today and Sahara TV. He is working on
film that deals with pesticide poisoning in India and writing a novel on the
twists in contemporary India life. ∎
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Ranu Ghosh
Add: UV-08-03A
1050/1 Survey Park
Kolkata- 700075
P: 91-33-24169568
E: ranughosh@vsnl.net
Working in both celluloid and video formats, she has produced,
directed, researched and done camera work for films on environment
and women’s issues. She has directed, researched and produced films
for foreign television companies also. The documentary on Arranged
Marriages in India, produced by Dominant_7 was for French Television.
She did the camera work for the documentary From Calcutta with Love,
on experimental dancing for Australian Television, Mass Marriage System
in India for National Geographic channel, Mukti Sangramey Bangla
-Mujibnagar Parba on Bangladesh liberation struggle for the Bangladesh
Foundation for Development Research. For Reuter Television she has
produced a film on Women Activities in World Bank Projects in Eastern
India. The film was shown at the Beijing Women’s Conference in 1995.
∎
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Romulus Earl Whitaker
Add: Draco Films
P.O. Box-21, Chengalpattu
Tamil Nadu-603001
P: 91-4114-29195
E: draco@vsnl.com
Romulus Earl Whitaker was born in New York City on 23rd May 1943
and is Naturalised Indian. Schooling from Kodaikanal School, South
India in the year 1960, has studied Wildlife Management from University
of Wyoming in USA in 1962 and further he completed his Bachelors in
Wildlife Management from Pacific Western University in the year 1986.
He also has received many awards for his commitment for saving the
wildlife. Till now he has received Award for conservation Merit from
world Wildlife Fund for Nature (International) in the year 1983. In 1984,
he received Rolex Award for Enterprise in Switzerland and then in 1985
he received the Order of the Golden Ark at the Netherlands. in 1986, he
got Peter Scott Award (IUCN) with Zai Whitaker in U.K.. and in 1991 he
got Ashoka Foundation Fellowship in India/USA. He has directed many
Documentaries on Wildlife and such as Irulas, Hunter-Gatherers in the
Space Age, Periyar, Banking on Crodiles, Snakebite, A Cooperative For
Snake Cathers, Seeds For Hope, The Boy and the Crocodile, Silver Valley,
Rat Wars, Treasured Island, Keralensis, King Cobra, Spunky Monkey,
Croc Man, Croc Crusader, Thunder Dragon, Snake Hunter, Snake
Hunter-Costa Rica and Mugger Crocodiles of Sri Lanka. Romulus Earl
Whitaker was born in New York City on 23rd May 1943 and is Naturalized
Indian. Schooling from Kodaikanal School, South India in the year 1960,
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has studied Wildlife Management from University of Wyoming in USA in
1962 and further he completed his Bachelors in Wildlife Management
from Pacific Western University in the year 1986. He also has received
many awards for his commitment for saving the wildlife. Till date he has
received award for conservation merit from World Wildlife Fund for Nature
(International) in 1983. In 1984, he received Rolex Award for Enterprise
in Switzerland bagged the Order of the Golden Ark at the Netherlands in
1986. He was also awarded Peter Scott Award (IUCN) with Zai Whitaker in
U.K and he received Ashoka Foundation Fellowship in India/USA, in the
year 1991. He has directed many documentaries to name a few Hunter-
Gatherers in the Space Age, Periyar, Banking on Crocodiles, Snakebite,
A Cooperative for Snake Catchers, Seeds of Hope, The Boy and the
Crocodile, Silent Valley, Rat Wars, Treasured Islands, Croc Man, Croc
Crusader, Thunder Dragon, Snake Hunter, Snake Hunter-Costa Rica and
Mugger Crocodiles of Sri Lanka. He has been the member of various
organisations such as Honorary Consultant to International Union for
th e Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources/ Species Survival
Commission (IUCN/SSC), Member, Advisory Committee, Bombay
Natural History Society, etc. ∎
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Sagari Chhabra
Add: B-5/19 Safdarjung Enclave
New Delhi 24
P: 91-11-24617424
F: 91-11-26160279
E: soch@vsnl.com
Writer and film-maker, primarily on social issues. Her films include Tatva
(Essence), a fiction film about a woman in search of her self, which won
the national award (Rajat Kamal). Now, I Will Speak, a film on rape,
was given the Award of Excellence for production & direction, by the
International Association of Women in Radio & Television, Manila. Global
Warming, a film on environment, received the United Nation’s World
Food Day award. Her other films include Brides Are Not For Burning
on domestic violence, Asli Azaadi (True Freedom) on the contribution of
India’s women freedom fighters. The film was very well received at the
Golden Gate Festival, San Francisco, and the Norwegian Film festival.
With a post-graduate degree in communications from Washington
State University, she writes for the Times of India. Hindustan Times,
Mainstream and Pioneer on social and developmental issues. Sagari
also writes poetry and has authored The Professional Woman’s Dreams.
A social activist, she is founder member of SOCH - Social Organisation
for Change. ∎
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Sandesh V Kadur
Add: 503, 4th Main
6th Cross, Kengeri Satellite Town
Bangalore
P: 91-80-8483828
F: 91-80-6602909
M: 91-9845031131
E: svkadur@gorgassciencefoundation.org
svkadur@yahoo.com
Since completing his degree in Wildlife Biology Sandesh Kadur has
spent most of his time working on wildlife documentaries in countries
as diverse as Mexico and India on subjects ranging from sea turtles
to elephants. He works for the Gorgas Science Foundation based in
Brownsville, Texas. He has received awards like Gold REMI award for
Creative Excellence by Houston Worldfest in 2003, Finalist in South by
Southwest Film Festival, Austin, Texas in 2003. Nominated as finalist in
Wildscreen 2002 for the BBC Newcomer of the Year award, has received
Merit Award for Cinematography in International Wildlife film festival in
2002. Sahyadris: Mountains of the Monsoon was shot over a period of
four years by Sandesh Kadur and was awarded the Special Mention
of the Jury Award in the category of Wildlife Conservation in Vatavaran
2003 Film Festival. This film was also screened at University of Texas,
Brownsville and at BBC Wildscreen Film Festival, Bristol, UK. ∎
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Sanjay Barnela
Add: Moving Images
D-3/3425, Vasant Kunj
New Delhi 110 070
P: 91-11-26124317
F: 91-11-26601751
M: 91-9818299212
E: moving@vsnl.com
W: www.movingimagesindia.com
Sanjay Barnela is a part of a Delhi-based production team with interests
in the environment and development. He has worked on a range of
issues from the politics of shepherds accessing grazing pastures in the
Himalayas, to the complexities of adopting renewable energy and cost-
effective construction technologies. Over the past decade, the team has
produced a number of films, which have been screened at national and
international film festivals apart from being telecast on televsion. Some
of his better known productions include: Turf Wars, Tales from the Indian
Countryside, The Elusive Mountain, Pastoral Politics and Vidyalayam.
In addition to this, Sanjay is among the very few filmmakers who has
specialized in high altitude filming, having filmed mountaineering climbs
at altitudes above 20,000 ft. in the Himalayas. ∎
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Sanjay Kak
Add: Octave Communications Pvt. Ltd
C-4/4048, Vasant Kunj
New Delhi 110070
P: 91-11-26893893
M: 91-9811229952
E: octave@vsnl.com
An independent documentary film-maker. His recent film In the Forest
Hangs a Bridge received the Golden Lotus for the best documentary
film at the 1999 National Film Awards and the Asian Gaze Award at
the Pusan Short Film Festival, Korea. His recent works include One
Weapon (1997), a video film about democracy in the 50th year of Indian
independence, and Harvest of Rain (1995), made in association with
the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi. In 1986, he helped
found Octave Communication, a New Delhi-based production company.
His work for television includes the travelogue, Pradaskshina: Journey
Down the Ganga (1985-86) He also did news documentaries in Hindi for
Doordarshan between 1985 and 1987. These include Punjab: Doosra
Adhyaya and Kiski Ganga?. His films on the theme of migration, looking
at people of Indian origin in the fringers of the cityof London (This Land,
My Land, Eng-Land! 1993) and in post-apartheid South Africa (A House
and a Home 1993) have been widely screened at documentary festivals.
He has also produced and directed Cambodia: Angkor Remebered
(1990), a reflection on the monument and its place in Khmer society. His
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early training in film was as writer/ researcher on a shoe-string black and
white popular science series for Indian televison. His first independent
documentary Kinnaur Ke Log (The people of Kinnaur, 1983), was an
account of a year in the life of a Himalayn shepherd boy, followed by
Savdhan! Bacche Khel Rahe Hain about the remedial uses of drama
in therapy of disabled children. His video Geli Mitti (The Wet Earth),
was awarded the Silver Lotus at the 1985 National Film Awards in India.
His documentary film “Words on Water” on Rivers was awarded ‘Second
Best Documentary’ in the category of Theme of the Festival ‘Water’. ∎
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Sanjay Maharishi
Add: FA-338, Mansarovar Gardens
New Delhi 110015
P: 91-11-5534890, 5437230, 5431627
E: sanketproductions@yahoo.com
Sanjay Maharishi is Cameraman and Director. He has made films like
Aruvacode Diary on rehabilitation of child prostitutes, Of Water and Words
on traditional water harvesting system and the their role in meeting the
demand for water in Rajasthan. He has also made Shor. ∎
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Sanjay Mohan
Add: Abhaya, 82
Bodheswaran Road
Behind Police Camp
Nandavanam, Trivandrum
Kerala - 695033
P: 91-471- 2321940, 471-3094700
M: 91-9846032194
E: srimohan@vsnl.com
W: http://education.vsnl.com/chaliyar
Sanjay Mohan has produced and directed several documentaries. He now
works as a Producer with Surya TV, Sun Network’s Malayalam Channel.
His areas of interest are Current Affairs, Women’s Issues and Environment.
His work includes films like ‘Shanker - The Patriarch of Indian Cartoons’,
‘Monsoons - The Life Line of India’, ‘Endless Days of Silent Suffering’ and
‘Daivathinte Nattil’, etc. His documentary film ‘Unquiet Flows the Chaliyar
was awarded the Best of the Festival in Vatavaran 2003 Film Festival. It
was aslo in the competitive section of 16th Okomedia Internationa Film
Festival, Freiburg Germany, 6th International Film Festival, Mumbai, and
screened at the European Touring Film Festival, Indian Centre, Cologne,
Germany, The British Council, Trivandrum and various other places. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Satyen Wanchoo
Add: Avifauna films
E-122, II Floor
Greater Kailash II
New Delhi
P: 91-11-51639318/19
F: 91-11-51639318
M: 91-9811178881
E: avifauna@mantraonline.com
W: www.keti.org
Satyen Wanchoo is a private producer, who has specialized in
documentary filmmaking on nature conservation and the environment.
He has filmed on a wide range of subjects, from habitat destruction to the
threats posed by climatic change and the development of environment
friendly solutions and technologies. He has nearly 300 short films on
environment and wildlife to his credit. And has the experience in filming
in diverse environments spanning the length and breadth of the country
from the cold deserts of Ladakh to the lush evergreen forests of Kerala.
One of the films directed by him is Lime Buildings Breath on shared
sacred sites and communities that are sited in Gurdaspur District,
Punjab. This film was screened at various places such as the British
Council, Victoria, Albert Museum in London, etc. He has contributed
regularly to nature and conservation journals like Hornbill published by
the Bombay Natural History Society. He has directed and produced a
half an hour documentary film along with a series of shorter feeder films
on the SDWRML project carried out by the Loktak development Authority
in partnership with Wetlands International South Asia with support from
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the India Canada Environment Facility on the Loktak Lake in Manipur.
Directed and produced a half an hour documentary film on “Project
Water” which is an attempt in the management of wastewater based on
a system of duckweed and fishponds developed by Xavier Institute of
Management Bhubaneshwar (XIMB) in partnership with CIFA. Directed
and produced a half an hour documentary film on the project ‘EIRA’
carried out in the Chindwara district of Madhya Pradesh and the Amravati
district of Maharashtra by Indian Potash Limited. He has also worked
as a Special Correspondent, Producer with NDTV. Kullu Eco-tourism
Initiative (KETI) has been formed by him to promote Ecotourism as a tool
to foster the local economy in an around the Greater Himalayan National
Park in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh and created a website i.e.
www.keti.org for greater access and information on the area.
∎
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Saumya Sen
Add: LEAPFROG
A-14, Gulmohar Park
New Delhi - 110 049
M: 91-9811154329
E: leapfrog.india@lycos.com
nandita.das@vsnl.com
Saumya was Creative Director at Ogilvy & Mather, New Delhi, India’s
second largest advertising agency, and a member of the worldwide
WPP Group. Apart from winning acclaim at numerous Indian Advertising
Award Shows, Saumya has to his credit two Silvers at the Asia Ad Fest,
and finalist status at the One Show Awards in New York. The New York
Festivals and the Clio Awards. His work on the Pulse Polio programme
remains his favourite and most awarded. Saumya has recently set up
an organization called LEAPFROG – a platform for creative artistes
and communication professionals. It also seeks to contribute towards
the communication needs of the development sector in partnership
with NGOs. Its maiden venture is championing the cuase of Rainwater
Harvesting in association with Centre for Science and Environment. Has
produced a 90 second TV Spot on rainwater harvesting which has been
aired on national television and was awarded the ‘Best documentary’ in
the category of ‘Pubic Service Message’ in Vatavaran 2003 Film Festival.
Saumya with Leapfrog, intends to work on diverse social issues through
public service advertising, innovative television programming and small
budged issue-based feature films. He also wishes to contribute towards
developing the nascent arena of Corporate Social Responsibility. His
projects include work related to HIV/AIDS, femal foetecide, education
and children. ∎
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Seema Muralidhara
Add: Beacon Television
Wing A-1/Flat 103
Siddharth Nagar Building
No. 5, CHS Ltd.
Opposite Dheeraj Savera
Mumbai - 400 066
P: 91-22-56764990
F: 91-22-28845978
E: murali2@bol.net.in
Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism, Basic Course in TV Production,
Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and Advanced Course in
TV production from Central Production Centre, New Delhi. Seema
Muralidhara has worked as a Director-Producer, and also on concept
and script of programmes such as Earth Charmers, Nobody Lies in a
Temple, The Living Past, Aap Ki Shanti, Maa Tujhe Salam, Humre P.M. Ji,
Adarniya Pradhan Mantri, Apni Dharti, Apne Log, etc. She has directed
and produced several programmes for channels like ZEE Network,
Doordarshan, etc. Their TV series Earth Charmers on organic farming
was awarded Bronze Tree in India’s first National Film Festival on Wildlife
and Environment titled Vatavaran 2002.Earth Charmers was screened at
Zanzibar International Film Festival 2002, Tanzania. Screen Panasonic
nominee for Best TV Programme Hum Zameen, 1994, Onida Awards
nominee for Best Environment Programme Hum Zameen, 1995. Dinaman
award for investigative news report on prison conditions in India.
She has also worked as a Journalist for Times of India and News
Correspondent for Doordarshan, Mumbai. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Senani
Add: No. 1, 12th Cross
V.V. Mohalla, Mysore
Karnataka
P: 91-821-2519211
E: senani@sancharnet.in
Mr. Krupakar and Mr. Senani are a duo of wildlife photographers /
filmmakers who have worked in the Western Ghats for over 20 years,
under the name Krupakar Senani. Their photographs have been published
in a number of wildlife magazines both in India and abroad. Such as
Nature History Magazine, People, BBC Wildlife and London Times. More
than 35 photo-essays on natural history have been published in local
languages in leading magazines in India since 1985. They have worked
as consultants and cameraperson to a number of international television
producers, apart from producing 12 wildlife documentaries for local
television such as BBC, Channel 4, Discovery and National Geographic
Television Channels. They have been actively involved in social and
conservation activities in Karnataka. Alongside, for the past eight years,
they are doing an intensive study of pack dynamics of the Asiatic wild
dog in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Their Short film productions include
‘Forgotten Villages’, ‘Glimpses of the Wilderness’, ‘Finding the Link’,
‘Taming of a River’, etc. Their publications include ‘Forgotten Villages’,
‘Valley of Bamboos’, ‘Nature’s Masterpiece: the elephant’, ‘Notes form
the Wild: An Information Guide to National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries
of Karnataka’, ‘Nagarhole’, etc. They have received Sahitya Academy
Award, Karnataka’s highest literary award in 1999. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Shankar Chandra
Add: E6 Films
B24 Malcha Marg
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi- 110 021
M: 91-9810234289
Fax: 91-11-25472283
E: shankat@e6photography.com
Is a Filmmaker and Cinematographer. He is director of E6 Films.
After completing his Masters in Mass Communication from the Mass
Communication Research Center, Jamia Millia Islamia, Shankar Chandra
cut his teeth as a cameraperson working with TV18 and worked on a
wide variety of programmes including Automobiles, Lifestyles, Game
shows and news to name a few. Fascinated by animals he realized he
wanted to work with them. Miditech seemed to offer a solution, given the
companies profile; While working with them he got an opportunity to work
on documentaries for the for the UN and the National Geographic. Later
he set up his own company and worked on a number of films on subjects
such as traditional healers in a modern society, watershed management
in Rajasthan and sex workers and their fight for self-determination. The
latter was critically acclaimed at the International AIDS Conference
2002, held in Barcelona. His film In Defence of the Golden Mahseer that
seeks to document the privately driven river fauna conservation effort
participated in Vatavaran 2003 Film Festival. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Shekar Dattatri
Add: Plot No. 40
Door No. II, 3rd East Street
Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai
P: 91-11-24415744
F: 91-11-24914802
E: dattatri@vsnl.com
Shekar Dattatri has had a lifelong fascination with wildlife. At the age of
thirteen he began work as a part-time volunteer at the famous Madras
Snake Park. An abiding interest in wildlife led to photography. After gaining
a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology he began an informal apprenticeship
with a documentary filmmaker. Shekhar Dattatri’s association with film
making dates back to the eighties. His first documentary A Cooperative
for Snake Catchers won him the National Award for Best Scientific
film. His next three documentaries were all National Award winners.
That was the beginning amongst the list of awards he has won as a
filmmaker, which included National Award for the Best Agricultural Film
for Seeds of Hope. After shooting, directing and producing several short
environmental/ wildlife documentaries for Indian Television, he along with
his colleagues made a documentary ‘Silent Valley - An Indian Rainforest’.
This film won several National and International awards such as National
Award for Best Film on Ecology and Environment, National Award for
Best Cinematography, Special Jury award Jackson Hole Festival, Citta
de Sondrio Award, Italy, Best Nature Film, Earthvision Festival Japan. He
also received Special Jury Award at the International Wildlife Film Festival,
Montana, USA, Arlette Vincent Prize, Valvert International Wildlife Film
Festival, and Brussels for the film Nagarhole – Tales from an Indian Jungle.
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This film has also won Special Mention of the Jury Award in the category
of Wildlife Conservation in Vatavaran 2003 Film Festival. His film Ridley’s
Last Stand was awarded for Conservation Advocacy by the International
Wildlife Film Festival, Montana, USA, 2003 and also Golden Tree Award
of Rs. 1,00,000 (Rupees One Lakh Only) for the Best Documentary in
the category of Natural Resources Conservation in Vatavaran 2003 Film
Festival. Shekar’s commitment to environmental awareness through the
media of film and video has been a strong motivating factor in continuing
in this tough and, sometimes, uncertain profession. Many of his films
have been translated into Indian languages for the benefit of vast non-
English speaking audiences. He has worked with many of world’s
leading broadcasters of wildlife doucmentaries including the Discovery
channel, National Geographic Television and BBC Natural History Unite.
As a result of an independent survey conducted by U.K. Trade Magazine
‘Television Business International’ in 1998, Shekar Dattatri was rated
among the top ten ‘rising stars’ of wildlife filmmaking in the world. He
was also awarded an Inlaks Scholarship which enabled him to work with
Oxford Scientific Films in U.K. ∎
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Shiv Painuli *
Add: TV-Giridoot, 82
Krishan Nagar
Dehradhun- 248001
Uttaranchal 248001
P: 91-135-754157
F: 91-135-759466
E: spainuli@yahoo.com
Started his career in films with the production of a 16 mm regional Garhwali
film titled Rami. He has done certificate course in camera and editing from New
Delhi. He is renowned still photographer from the hill region of Uttaranchal,
India. His photographs and transparencies have been published in various
magazines from time to time. He has also created audio visual, VHS films of
different aspects of Central Himalayas. He has more than 60 documentaries
and short films directed and produced by him. He bagged an International Film
Award in the 7th International Adventure Film Festival 1995. He is on the panel
of Department of Tourism and Enviroment, Government of U.P. Worked as a
consultant Advisor for adventure tourism (for the Director General Tourism-U.P.).
Surveyed and prepared report on prospecting of cultural adventure tourism
in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. Worked as a consultant advisor for
adventure tourism for the Director General Tourism, Uttaranchal. Surveyed
and made report on prospecting of cultural, adventure tourism I Uttaranchal.
Member in Panel of Advertising publicity and film making in (a) Department of
Tourism, Uttaranchal. (b) Department of Tourism, Uttar Pradesh (c) Department
of Environment, Uttar Pradesh. Training- Certificate course for Camera and video
editing from New Delhi. Assisted First Garhwali Regional Film “Rami” in 16 mm.
During late 70’s (which was not screened). Worked as writer for an adventure
TV-serial. Worked as scriptwriter for documentary films. Worked as equipment
supporter for feature film” Guddu” in Hindi (supply of flying equipment and
Pilots for sports theme shots), worked as a cameraman. ∎
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Shri Prakash
Add: Kritika Production, 30
Randhir Pd. Street
Upper Bazaar, Ranchi, Jharkhand
P: 91-651-2317461
E: kritikashri@yahoo.com
kritikashri@hotmail.com
W: www.jadugoda.net/
Mr. Shriprakash’s association with filmmaking has been for over a decade.
During this phase he has worked under the capacity of cameraman, director
as well as scriptwriter. His directed film Buddha Weeps in Jadugoda, on
Environmental and Health hazards of uranium mining in Jadugoda, (East
Singhbhum) has won the Grand Prize in the Earth Vision Film Festival,
Tokyo, 2000, Best Film Award in the Thunder Bird Film Festival, USA, 2001,
Second Best Film Award, in the Earth Vision Film Festival, USA 2001, Third
Prize in Film South Asia, 1999. It has participated in numerous film festivals
such as Mumbai International Film Festival 2000, Hongkong Film Festival
2000, Vermond Film Festival, USA 2001, Thunder Birds Film Festival USA
2001 where it was awarded the Best Film Award, International Film Festival,
Istanbul - 2001, United Nation Association Film Festival, USA 2000. It was also
broadcasted by NHK - Japan; Free Speech TV, USA. His film Buddha Weeps
in Jadugoda and The Fire Within participated in Vatavaran 2003 Film Festival,
New Delhi. His work includes ‘Kis Ka Raksh?’, a film on issues surrounding
the Netarhat Field Firing Range whch was screened at theInternational Video
Film Festival, Thiruvanthapuram, 1997 and Video Film Festival, Buenos Arias,
1995; ‘Another Revolt’, a film exploring the pros and cons of the proposed
Koel Karo Hydel Project where he worked as Cameraman, director and
scriptwriter was also screend at the Mumbai International Film Festival in
1996 and Video Film Festival at Buenos Arias in 1996. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Siddharth Kak
Add: Cinema Vision India
501, Adarsh Nagar
M.H.B Colony
Jogeshwari (W), Mumbai
P: 91-22-26365946/26320739
F: 91-22-26366642
E: cvi@indiasurabhi.com
W: www.indiasurabhi.com
Siddharth Kak is a documentary filmmaker, producer, director, presenter,
and writer. He is the Executive Trustee of Surabhi Foundation for Research
and Cultural Exchange. Cinema Vision India is an independent company
producing non-fiction and corporate films and audio-visuals since 1980
and is winner of Three National Awards and several television awards for
programming. Worked as an actor in feature films and television series.
Worked as a Journalist in 1970. Published Cinema Vision India, India’s
first professional cinema quarterly. He writes regular columns in Bombay
Times, Times of India and Indian Express. He is the producer of Surabhi,
Longest running cultural magazine series on national television which
received award for most outstanding television series, screen panasonic
award for Best series and uptron award for the best series. It was also
featured in Limca Book of Records for highest measured viewership of any
TV programme in India. Is the producer of Bhoomi, an environmental series
for national television in association with the Ministry of Environment and
Forests, currently on air. Has also produced Wisdom of India a series of 12
films that deals with the cultural, intellectual and spiritual heritage of India. A
formative series that seeks to collate, collect and present the accumulated
wisdom of 5000 years of Indian Civilization for Ministry of External Affairs,
Government of India. Everest ‘84 was produced him which is the complete
story of India’s historic expedition to Mt. Everest. Apart from being nationally
telecast, the film won a National award for best adventure film. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Simanti Dhuru
Add: 2nd Floor, 27
Lokmanya Tilak Colony Marg
No.2, Dadar (East)
Mumbai 400014
P: 91-22-414 3782
F: 91-22-414 2946
E: simantin@vsnl.com
Has produced A Nnarmada Diary Participated in various film festivals
like Earth vision Global Environmental film festival, Tokyo, Japan, 1995;
Amnesty international Film Fest. Amsterdam, 1996; National video
fest, Kerala, India, 1995 and Film south Asia, Kathmandu, Nepal, 1997.
Awards received are The Golden Award, Earth vision, Japan, 1995; The
Filmfare critic’s Award For best Documentary 1996 and Second Prize,
national vedio Fest. Kerala, India 1995. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Snehasis Das
Add: The Mine Labour Protection
Campaign, MLPC
396-C Road, Sardarpura
Jodhpur, Rajasthan - 342003
P: 91-291-2441672
F: 91-291-742495
E: mlpc_campaign@hotmail.com
Interest for human development, environmental science and special
interest in making documentary films. PG Diploma in Journalism from
Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan. Has also been associated with Down to Earth.
Mr. Snehasis Das, director of Shadow of Taj has worked for several
documentary films on social issues and environmental aspects in
several subjects like Lali’s World for UNDP, Water is our Life for Ministry
of Water Resources, six promotional films on sanitation, Hope Again on
Orissa Super Cyclone and Letter to Ma for UNDP, on IT’s role in rural
development and several others His film Shadow of Taj had participated
in Vatavaran 2003 Film Festival. Has also worked in six promotional films
on sanitation for WHO, etc. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Sudhir A. Aggarwal
Add: C-1/58 S.D.A
New Delhi 110016
P: 91-11-6519343
M: 91-9810261508
E: Zudir@vsnl.com
Mr. Sudhir Aggarwal has done Professional Training from BPM-TV,
Berlin. He has mostly produced short films on environmental issues like
solid waste, water, etc. Some of the programmes produced by him are
Terraview, a Spot film for Tata Energy Research Institute broadcasted
on Young Asia Television, Environment initiatives, a Short film for Young
Asia Television, Environment film, a short film for Tata Energy Research
Institute, Cactus people, a short film, Chadar, Travel feature for DD1,
Several Features for Young Asia Television telecasted on various channels
all over Asia, Environment film, a short film for Auroville Greenwork
Resource Canter, Terraview for DD1, White lies, Plastic Truths for Ministry
of Environment and Forests, New Delhi. His directed documentary film
“The Story of Mendha” on the self-rule initiative of a tribal village was
finalist at the Moondance 2002 film festival USA. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Suman Ganguli
Add: 87, Saraswati Kunj
25, Patparganj, I. P. Extension
Delhi - 110092
P: 91-11-22476033, 2721490
E: entecave@hotmail.com
readsuman@hotmail.com
A 31-year-old Commerce Graduate and diploma holder in Direction and
Editing, Suman is a born actor but turned to professional Direction and
Editing only in 1993. His works span a wide spectrum of issues including
militancy, tribal ethnography, child labour and a host of other social issues.
Today, he heads a production unit: ENTECAVE. Empanelled Producer
with Ministry of Agriculture, GOI, Director, Editor of Aashiana Films, Guest
Faculty of Institute of Video and Film Editing, Guest Performer Indian
Mime Theatre, Associated with Ministry of Tribal Affairs, WHO, Misintry
of I & B, Ministry of Labour. As a director he has directed serials such as
Aaina for Zee TV , Khiladi and various other serials on social issues. He
has also directed Shapath - a 28 minute film on anti-smoking funded by
World Health Organisation, Raaz a film on use of Iodized salt in villages
for Ministry of Health. Has also directed few ad and corporate films.
His directed documentary ‘Uttaranchal Ke Tharu’ a two episode series
on the ethnography of a primitive tribe Tharu in Uttaranchal and Yeh
Paani Anmol - a success story on Watershed Development in India. As
Chief Assistant Director he has directed Maat Ka Saya a tele-film on anti
smoking funded by WHO. His film From Birth to Salvation was nominated
in the category of Theme of the Festival ‘Water for Life’ in Vatavaran 2003
Film Festival. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Sunil Shanbag
Add: Chrysalis Films
Armaan, 23, Saraswati Road
Santa Cruz (West)
Mumbai
P: 91-22-26601181, 26603294
F: 91-22-26600588
E: chrysalis@vsnl.net
Sunil Shanbag, is a theatre producer and director, television writer and
producer. Sunil Shanbag has worked extensively for television since
1985 developing program concepts, researching, producing programs,
films and series. He has been one of the brains behind some path
breaking serials like Bharat Ek Khoj and Surabhi. He has been the winner
of the National Award in 1994 for Best Non-Fiction Film titled Maihar
Raag. Has wrote and co-directed Ek Kahani, for national television which
received the RAPA award for Best Director of a series. In 1993 went into
independent production and produced films such as Maihar Raag (1993)
which was the winner in 1994 National Awards for Best Non fiction film
and best use of sound. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Supriyo Sen
Add: 11/44, Nagendranath Road
Kolkata - 700028
P: 91-33-5507319
E: avp@cal3.vsnl.net.in
Supriyo Sen completed Masters Degree in Journalism from leading
University of Calcutta and got himself involved as a freelance journalist
with several leading dailies in Calcutta. His love for audio-visual media
kept him close to the medium of films for several years. He also joined
a diploma course of film appreciation by ‘Chitrabani’, audio-visual wing
of St. Xavier’s Calcutta to get technical and aesthetic know-how. From
his early childhood days Supriyo was actively involved in the radical
student movement and in 1994 formed a group of media activists called
Perspective and completed a 54 minutes documentary film “Wait Until
Death” on genocide caused by a stone-crushing factory near Calcutta.
The film got overwhelming response. His film “The Nest” about a
lone battle of a tribal family to save migratory birds won “Silver Lotus”
(National Award) for the best film on environment and conservation in
India in 2000. It also got the BFJA (Bengal Film Journalist Association
Award) for the best documentary in 2000 and also was selected for
the Indian Panorama 2000-2001. He also received the prestigious “Jan
Vrijman Fund” on the basis of a world-wide competition of scripts from
the International Documentary Film Festival of Amsterdam for his film
Way Back Home”. He also writes about documentary films in different
film magazines of Calcutta other than making films. ∎
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Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Susan Sharma
Add: Indian Wildlife Club.com
C-2490, Sushant Lok
Phase I, Gurgaon 122002
P: 95124 - 5045330/331
M: 91-9810027546
E: susan_sharma@hotmail.com
W: www.indianwildlifeclub.com
Dr. Susan Sharma, Ph.D (IITD) is adapting the latest information technology
tools to spread awareness about nature and wildlife. She runs a website
called IndianWildlifeClub.com, which has an expanding user base of nature
lovers as members. Her digital videos are self-financed. Her film Sarang –
The Peacock was screened at the International Film Festival held in Mumbai
in Feb 2000 and was telecasted in Mumbai Doordarshan in October 99.
Her film Corbett with Love was screened at the Delhi International film
festival, was also selected at IDPA awards function. This film makes a subtle
statement through Subedar Ali, the mahout who was attacked by a tiger
and spent a year in hospital recovering from a torn scalp but his love for the
tiger makes him return to his job as a mahout in the same forest. Her film
‘Wilderness Nepal’ looks at he natural history of Himalayan region. It projects
the community forests concept in Nepal which has proved a success in
maintaining the wetland area of twenty thousand lakes. Dr. Sharma is also
the founder of a website called IndianWildlifeClub.com which is an interactive
online club to spread awareness about wildlife conservation. Dr. (Mrs.) Susan
Sharma chose documentary film making as a second career, after seeking
voluntary retirement from State Bank of India. She received her doctorate in
Management Information Systems from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
Dr. Sharma has been a nature lover and took up wildlife videography as a
hobby. She learnt music on the violin and music has been the real motivation
to plan a series of documentaries connecting music with Indian wildlife. ∎
Page 103
101
Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Syed Fayaz
Add: Syed Fayaz
Executive Producer
RGB Films, B-2/40, 2nd Floor
Safdarjung Enclave
New Delhi - 110 029
P: 91-11-26101307
M: 91-9810738452
E: fayazrizvi@yahoo.com
Syed Fayaz had done PostGraduate level course in International Broadcast
Journalism at Thomson Foundation and his training included working with BBD
Wales - United Kingdom. Syed Fayaz has worked as a Freelancer from October
2000 till date. He has worked as a correspondent for Aaj Ki Baat on Star Plus
Channel. Has also directed Snow-Capped Oblivion - The Shahtoosh Saga, a
documentary film on Tibetan Antelope called Chiru, for WWF-International, New
Delhi. Had directed and produced a short film named A Ray of Hope on children
in Jammu and Kashmir for Rajiv Gandhi Foundation/UNICEF, New Delhi. He is
currently working as a line producer for the Ultimate Machine Combat from India
to be televised on Discovery Channel and Channel 4 (United Kingdom). He has
also directed and produced a short film Tender Hopes on children of conflict
in Jammu and Kashmir. This film was screened in Chandigarh as an opener
for the seminar. He has worked as a Line Producer for Wildlife Crime File a
documentary on illegal Shahtoosh trades and it was part of a 13 episodes series
for Discovery Channel and Animal Planet Television Channel. He has earlier
worked as a Reporter in Sahara India Television, New Delhi and has provided
research for possibly first ever single shot film As the River Flows, shot on steady-
cam JR. The film was screened in Mumbai International Video Festival. Syed
Fayaz has received British Chevening Scholarship Broadcast Journalist 2000.
His directed film A Brush with Death on Mongoose for Wildlife Trust of India was
jointly awarded the Golden Tree Award of Rs. 1,00,000 (Rupees One Lakh Only)
for ‘Best Documentary’ in the category of Wildlife Conservation in Vatavaran 2003
Film Festival. ∎
Page 104
102
Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Umesh Aggarwal
Add: News & Entertainment Television
994, 1st Floor
Laxmi Commercial Complex
Nehru Road, Arjun Nagar
Kotla Mubarakpur, New Delhi
P: 91-11-24644494/24658384
F: 91-11-24631408
M: 91-9811026734
E: net-20@rediffmail.com
netv@mantraonline.com
Producer Umesh Aggarwal has 18 years of experience in the Indian
Television Industry. Produced and directed numerous programmes with
over 4000 episodes and has 2500 hours of programming to his credit.
NET was launched in 1994 and was marked for its speed and efficiency.
Has produced Heads and Tails a half hour animal show in English and
Hindi presented by noted activist Ms. Maneka Gandhi on DD-1 and
DD-2. Has produced New Horizons - a five minute environment capsule
in English on DD1 in the year 1995. He has also produced biographical
films on the three Prime Ministers of India - Mr. H.D. Deve Gowda, Mr.
I.K. Gujaral and Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee. Has also prepared a half-hour
obituary in English on Mother Teresa called Mother: A Tribute, which was
telecast internationally through Doordarshan’s National Network. Has
also produced variojs programmes which have been telecast on DD1,
DD International and Zee TV. NET has received Hero Honda ITA Award
2002 for Kiran, a daily show on DD National Network. Kiran is a 5 minute
Hindi programme on philanthropic efforts by individuals telecast on DD
national network (550 episodes). ∎
Page 105
103
Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Vijendra Patil
Add: Bars and Tone Television Pvt. Ltd.
17, Sarvadarshan
Nal Stop Chowk, Karve Road
Opp. Saraswat Co - operative Bank
Pune
P: 91-20-5444750, 5443309, 9822016842
F: 91-20-5439790
E: vppatil@vsnl.com
Has done B.Sc (applied) in Software Techniques of educational television
production from University of Pune. Has worked as a Cameraman,
Producer and Director. He is presntly working as one of the directors for
Bars and Tone Television, Pune. Has been associated with many national
and international institutes like National Institute of Ocenaography,
Goa; Department of Ocean Development, Delhi, Central Bee Research
Institute, Pune, C-DAC, BBC and many others. He has directed more
than 100 video films since 1985 - especially on science and technology,
ecology, wildlife and social issues. He has been closely associated with
BBC Open University, UK and worked for their few projects such as on
NEEM and Renewable Energy Sources. Some of his films include, The
Changing Nature of a Wetland, Sacred Groves, Frog Aestivation and
Securing India’s Future, On the Trail of the National Biodiversity Strategy
and Action Plan have been widely acclaimed and have won many
awards. He has won Best Educational TV programme award at the U.
G. C. national competition in 1991 and 1993, SONY ICD award in 1991,
Technical excellence awards at UGC national video competition in 1991,
1993, 1994. Received T.C.T. award from British Council in 1991. ∎
Page 106
104
Directory of Environment and Wildlife Filmmakers
Vinay Rai
Add: Leoarts Communication
A-103, LGF, Amar Colony
Lajpat Nagar -IV
New Delhi -110 024
P: 91-11-26488898
E: raientertainment@yahoo.com
The filmmaker Vinay Rai is passionate about creating films of social
relevance. His film Kashish won nomination in San Francisco
International Film Festival and First Indo-British Digital Film Festival. With
many nominations and two awards to his credit, is currently working on
his next film Mein Buddha Nahi and Barish. Cartoonist, animator and
director, Leoarts Communication. He has been working in the media for
the last eight years. He has done animations for several programmes
for television and created TV spots for the Directorate of Audio Visual
Publicity, MTNL, IGNOU and NCERT. Three of his animation films have
been screened at the International Congress of Young People in 1995,
1997, 1999 and the Mumbai International Film Festival in 1996, 1998
and 2000. His film Life, created in thread animation, was screened at
Grand Canaria Film Festival 2000. Associated with the British Council, he
conducts animation workshops for children. ∎
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