I am a New York-based editorial leader who thrives on working closely with clients and talent to develop compelling content.
A journalist, award-winning documentary filmmaker, journalism professor and content producer – I have worn many hats through my career. I have extensive experience in building and leading successful teams that have made award-winning long-form factual projects, short-form commercials, digital campaigns, dramas, films and documentaries.
In addition to a high-level of content production capabilities, I have wide-ranging expertise in leveraging relationships to form innovative partnerships. I have an entrepreneurial mindset which has helped me set up, create and manage creative business verticals from the ground up.
I have lived and worked across several countries including India, Malaysia, Singapore and the United States. I have degrees from Mumbai University in Economics and Media Communications, and a Masters from Monash University in Media Studies.
Some of the media networks that have showcased my projects include BBC, CNN, Discovery Channel, the History Channel, the National Geographic Channel, CNBC (India), Astro (Malaysia) and Mediacorp (Singapore).
I am passionate about new program development and would like to use my international experience to tell local stories that give a voice to the underrepresented and unreported.
With deep experience in building editorially focused creative teams, I offer a high-level of content production capability and expertise in leveraging relationships to form innovative partnerships. I believe in having an entrepreneurial mindset which has helped me in setting up, creating and managing creative business verticals from the ground up.
A journalist, award-winning documentary filmmaker, journalism professor, and content producer – I have worn many hats throughout my career. I have extensive experience in leading and scaling successful teams that have made award-winning long-form factual projects, short-form commercials, digital campaigns, dramas, films and documentaries.
Some of the media networks that have showcased projects spearheaded by me include BBC, CNN, Discovery Channel, History, the National Geographic Channel, CNBC (India), Astro (Malaysia) and Mediacorp (Singapore).
My Areas of Expertise
Strategy & Business Development
Social Media & Web Content Strategy
Efficient Production, Management and Workflow Strategies
Inspirational Leadership & Mentorship
Training for Production Executives
Production
New Program Commissioning
Editorial & Production Management
Screenwriting and Script Supervision
Award-Winning Content Production
Global Creative Partner Relationships
Documentary Production
Film making
Journalism & Writing
News Content Management
Training for Journalists & Media Professionals
Journalism & Mass Media Studies Curriculum Development
Blog/Editorial Writing
Work Highlights: Documentaries
Half Widows of Kashmir
Genre: Political Documentary (English)
Year: 2013 for Astro Network (Malaysia)
This film documented the lives of widows in Kashmir whose husbands disappeared or were reported missing. Exploring a political issue as sensitive as this comes with its own challenges of ensuring the content is balanced and subjects are depicted with empathy.
Stuntmen of Bollywood
Genre: Social Issue Documentary (English)
Year: 2003 for National Geographic Channel (Asia)
The documentary showcased the lives and the incredible bravery of stuntmen who worked in the Indian film industry as they performed dangerous stunts without adequate protection gear.
Sandakan Death March
Genre: Historical Documentary (English/Malay)
Year: 2010 for History Channel (South East Asia)
The award winning documentary recreates the atrocities faced by Australian POWs who were captured by the Japanese during the World War II. This documentary was the winner of the Best Historical Documentary title by Malaysian Film Awards in 2010.
Japanese Red Army
Genre: Historical Documentary (Malay)
Year: 2009 for Astro Network (Malaysia)
The award winning documentary recreated the dramatic terror attack and hostage situation by the Japanese Red Army on the US and Swiss foreign offices in Kuala Lumpur from 1975. This film was the winner for the Best Documentary by Malaysian Film Awards in 2009.
Business of Bollywood
Genre: Business Documentary Series (English)
Channel: BBC World (Asia)
This 10-part series explored the changing facets of the Indian film industry as the studio system and formal financing initiated numerous changes in the way films were made.
Back to the Floor
Genre: Reality/Business Documentary (English)
Channel: BBC World (Asia)
This was the Indian adaption of an award-winning British business reality show. Some of India’s biggest CEOs worked at junior level positions in their own companies to get a real feeling of operations and manufacturing. The 10-part series was nominated for Indian Television Awards.
Factual Entertainment
Kitchen Wars (Perang Periuk)
Genre: Food/Entertainment (Malay)
Year: 2021 for Astro Network (Malaysia)
Kitchen Wars was a 10-week cooking showdown between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law to showcase their culinary skills. Their food was judged by celebrity chefs and ultimately also by their son/husband. It won the Best Factual Entertainment Award at the Asian Academy Creative Awards in 2021.
Stupid Man, Smart Phone
Genre: Travel (English)
Year: 2018 for Channel 5, Mediacorp (Singapore)
Produced in collaboration with BBC Studios, the eight-part series featured a city-dwelling comedian attempting some of the world’s toughest outdoor adventures with his only survival tool, a smartphone. It won the Best Influencer Award at the Asian Academy Creative Awards in 2018.
Dramas
The Demon Hunter (Asurai Vetai)
Genre: Thriller/Crime Drama (Tamil)
Year: 2021 for Astro Network (Malaysia)
Produced in a record two months, this crime thriller was about an investigative team that tries to solve a string of brutal murders, all of which have origins in the past. It was the winner of the Best Original Script at the Astro Ulagam Awards in 2021.
A Bit of Love (Cubit Cubit Cinta)
Genre: Romance (Malay)
Year: 2019 for Astro Network (Malaysia)
This made-for-TV film was a blooming love story between three unique characters. It explored true love in the times of dating apps. For my company Creative Stew, this was a first foray into the genre and we received a great positive response for it.
Branded Digital Shorts
So Good, So Local
Genre: Digital Shorts (English)
Year: 2021 with Discovery Asian Food Network (South East Asia)
Shot across Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia during the COVID pandemic, this series explored innovative solutions developed by people to keep the food businesses running amidst lockdowns.