Jury Team
Jury
Mehul Kumar
Filmmaker, Writer & Director
Mohammed Ibrahim Baloch was Born in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. better known as Mehul Kumar, he is a Bollywood filmmaker and writer, the director best known for directing movies like the Marte Dam Tak (1987), Jung Baaz (1989), and the patriotic Tirangaa (1992),Krantiveer (1994), Mrityudaata (1997). He started his career in the 70s, Janam Janam Na Saath (1977) bilingual Hindi film “Phir Janam Lenge Hum” and not behind the camera, but with a pen in hand, writing film reviews as a journalist after graduating from Bombay University. But the stage soon beckoned, and Mehul moved on to work in Gujarati theatre.
N Chandra
Chandrashekhar Narvekar is an Indian producer, writer and director, known for gritty realism, in his early dark and loud films. His most successful commercial films are Ankush, Pratighaat, Tezaab and Narsimha. Chandra also made moderately successful but critically scorned Style and its sequel Xcuse Me.
Sohum shah
Filmmaker
Soham’s career spans 18 years in advertising and the Indian film industry. A graduate of Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, he founded the advertising agency “Able & Will,” handling top corporate and film industry accounts. Soham’s journey into filmmaking began with mentorship under renowned directors Karan Johar and Ram Gopal Varma, leading to his directorial debut with the successful film *Kaal*. Beyond filmmaking, he remains active in advertising, having directed over 100 commercials featuring top celebrities. Soham is also an avid artist, currently working on a series of illustrations for an upcoming exhibition.
Satluj Dheer
Producer
Satluj Dheer, with 35 years of experience in film/TV production and broadcast media, produced notable films like MERA SUHAAG, IKKE PE IKKA, and MERA MUQADAR. His TV serials include DEKHO MAGAR PYAAR SE and CHAMATKAAR. He created brands for LASHKARA channel and owned studios in Mumbai. As an executive producer, he worked on films like MY FATHER GODFATHER and A LOVE LIKE THIS. Currently, he manages Empress Digital Studio with 5 shooting floors in Mumbai.
Kamlesh Pandey
Indian Screenwriter
Kamlesh Pandey is an Indian screenwriter with more than 30 years’ experience in advertising, 20 years in films and 14 years in television. He has won the Filmfare Awards for Tezaab, Star Screen Awards for Saudagar and IIFA Award for Rang De Basanti. He is from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, and lives in Mumbai.
Sanjay Masoom
Writer
Sanjay Masoom has made significant contributions to the Indian film industry as a distinguished screenwriter, having crafted stories for blockbuster movies such as “Krrish” (2006), “Jannat 2” (2012), “Gunday” (2014), “Krrish 3” (2013), “Raja Natwarlal” (2014), and “Koyelaanchal” (2014), among others. His exceptional skills in dialogue writing earned him the IIFA Award for Best Dialogue for “Krrish 3”. Further showcasing his versatility, Sanjay penned the dialogues for “3 AM: A Paranormal Experience” (2014) and “Ghayal Once Again” (2016) and crafted the screenplay for “Kaabil” (2017). He continued to make waves in the industry with his 2018 release, “Hamara Tiranga”, directed by Sajeev Balath. Beyond his established credits, Sanjay’s talents have been recognized with nominations, including the Mirchi Music Awards for Critics’ Choice Upcoming Lyricist of The Year and the IIFA Award for Best Dialogue
Rajeev Verma
Actor
Rajeev Verma was born on June 28, 1949 in Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh, India. He is an actor, known for Koi… Mil Gaya (2003), Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein (2011) and When Love Calls (1989).
Manoj Joshi
Actor
Manoj N. Joshi is an Indian actor known for working in film, stage and television. He has also acted in over 70 films since 1998, many of his roles being comedy. He is the recipient of several awards including a National Film Award. Joshi is popularly known for playing Kachra Seth in Phir Hera Pheri (2006).
He acted in TV series including Chanakya, Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka, Rau (Marathi), Sangdil, Kabhi Souten Kabhi Saheli, Mura Raska Mai La (Marathi). He debuted in Sarfarosh (SI Bajju) alongside his brother who played Bala Thakur in the film. His other works include the film Hungama followed by Hulchul, Dhoom, Bhagam Bhag, Chup Chup Ke, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Billu. He played the role of Chanakya in Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat.
In 2018, Joshi was awarded with the Padma Shri. He is the vice-president of the Bombay Art Society.
Rakesh Bedi
Actor
Rakesh Bedi is an Indian film, stage and television actor. He is known for his comic roles in films such as Mera Damaad and Chashme Buddoor. He has also appeared in television shows like Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, Shrimaan Shrimati, Yes Boss, Bhabhi Ji Ghar Par Hain, and Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
Komal Nahta
Film Critic
Komal Nahta (born 30 April 1964) is an Indian film trade analyst. Nahta is the publisher of “Film Information” and also a television show host. He is an anchor of the trade show ETC Bollywood Business on the Bollywood TV channels ETC and Zee Cinema.[1] He is in the advisory board of Cinema Capital and other top companies. He is the son of film producer Ramraj Nahta
Atul Mohan
Complete Cinema – Editor
Atul Mohan is the editor for Trade Magazine, ‘Complete Cinema’.
Latha Srinivasan
Journalist
Latha Srinivasan is a senior entertainment journalist based in Chennai, India. Currently, she is Consulting Editor for various leading news organizations in India and continues to write extensively on entertainment. She comes with over 15 years of experience in the field of journalism and is considered one of the leading entertainment journalists in South India.
Latha has worked with some of the best media organisations in India and has won numerous awards throughout her career for her work. She was formerly Senior Editor with various media houses including Yahoo! India, Deccan Chronicle, The Times of India, DNA, NewsX and India Today
Latha is regularly invited to speak on numerous occasions at various events and to moderate panel discussions at leading national forums like CII and FICCI FRAMES. She has also recently authored a book on her breast cancer journey and does her share in society to increase awareness about breast cancer.
Subhash Sahoo
Writer/Director/Sound Designer
Subhash Sahoo is well known Sound Designer known for Kaminey (2009), Neerja (2016) and Omkara (2006), Sarfarosh (1999) along with many other critically acclaimed movies. He also is a director for a documentary names as ‘The Sound by Mangesh Desai’ (2017) He has 13 Awards wins & 7 nominations
Parag Chhapekar
Actor
Parag Chhapekar has worked in the Entertainment industry for 22 years. During his tenure so far, Parag has literally interviewed every Leading Actor & Actress of the Hindi Film industry and has been honored with several awards. His popular show on Live India and TV 18 , “Parag Dil Se” too raked in good TRPs prior to his several other shows, all being a Hit in the respective channels. Launched many shows like cinema a to zee on zee parag dil se ,mirch masala on star. He has done theater for many years in indore ,delhi and mumbai. Parag many times served as jury for national award and indian film panorama iffi. He was in core commitee of Ladh international film festival and lonavala film festival . He directed many short films for Zee Media.
Saikat Das
Singer/Director
Saikat is a versatile figure in the entertainment industry, excelling as a filmmaker, music composer, actor, singer, and the Director of the Indian International Short Film Festival Awards and Global Independent Film Festival of India in Kolkata. He has also showcased his talents in journalism, serving as a news anchor and reporter for platforms like Doordarshan and CTVN’s ‘WORLD NEWS.’ Saikat’s on-stage charisma shines through numerous performances, and as a lyricist, he has penned soulful tracks for films and albums. His proficiency extends to video editing and graphics. Starting his filmmaking journey in 2006, Saikat gained recognition with the film “…ebong Amra(..and we the people)” in 2016, earning praise from critics worldwide and garnering numerous nominations and awards. Since then, he has directed 35 short films, 3 documentaries, and over 50 music videos, accumulating more than 200 international and national awards for his diverse body of work.
Adv. M I Zarger
National Human Rights All India Director
M I Zarger is a prominent in the field of human rights and social justice, lauded Prime Minister Modi for his tireless dedication to the upliftment of backward classes.
Dheeraj Mishra
Writer/Director
Mishra worked as a freelance journalist for magazines and newspapers. He was the creative writer for various TV serials. He wrote a feature film screenplay based on the life of Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri titled Jai Jawaan Jai Kisaan. His upcoming movies are Birsa, about a freedom fighter from Jharkhand and Chapekar brothers, a revolutionary story about freedom fighters from Pune. Om Puri was to play Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
Mishra wrote a novel Patjhar aur Bahar. He wrote a play on the life of India’s first woman Prime Minister Indira Gandhi titled Indira.
Screening
27th - 29th May 2025
Venue
PVR, Juhu
Award Ceremony
