×PAVITRA CHALAM
FOUNDER/DIRECTOR
It’s not often that you come across a Founder and Filmmaker who is a former national level athlete and skater, journalist, peace ambassador, kick boxer, Woman of the Year and this generation’s Dragon Warrior (of Kung Fu Panda fame). Pavitra has been making films on social issues for close to a decade. Her dream has always been to eternalise issues that are important and bring them to the world through the magical and powerful medium of film. After graduating from the New York Film Academy’s Filmmaking Program, Pavitra made her directorial debut with ‘Bus’ (a film that made its mark at the Youth Initiative for Peace in Pakistan), was a journalist at the World Youth Congress in Morocco and travelled across Europe in 2004 as an Ambassador of the NGO – Peace Child International. Her work has brought her many awards including the
Ability Media International (AMI) Award in London 2010 for
Khushboo, a film about children with complex needs. On her journey as a storyteller and a champion of change there has been no hesitation, no looking back. Early in 2012, she founded her own production house in Bangalore, called CurleyStreet Media.Pavitra was recently awarded the Asia Pacific Award for Outstanding New Documentary Talent at the DocWeek film festival, 2014 in Australia for her feature documentary on Down’s syndrome called ‘Indelible’.
Film you wish you had made: March of the Penguins
Favourite Quote: “I remember one morning getting up at dawn, there was such a sense of possibility. You know that feeling? And I remember thinking to myself this is the beginning of happiness. This is where it starts and of course there will always be more. It never occurred to me it wasn’t the beginning. It was happiness. It was the moment. Right then.”
If not Film: An Olympic Skater
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×AKSHAY SHANKAR
CEO/DIRECTOR
Akshay Shankar is a Producer/Director at CurleyStreet Media. After working with an Investment Bank for four years, Akshay chose to put the mundane numbers to rest and pursue his passion for filmmaking. Since his foray into cinema, Akshay has donned many hats like that of director, producer, and writer. His innate ability to understand and execute both the creative and business aspects of a production sets him apart from others in the industry.
Film you wish you had made: Monsoon Wedding
Favourite Quote: “When you have to shoot, shoot, don’t talk”
If not film: World Domination
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×ASHWIN CHALAM
CO-FOUNDER
Before taking on the mantle of Co-Founder at CurleyStreet Media, Ashwin was an Executive Director/Vice President at Goldman Sachs International working out of the London and Bangalore offices. In his six years at the World’s leading investment bank, Ashwin sailed through any crisis with panache. His entry into the film world brought structure and precision to the Curley Table. Always the man with plan you can’t take his eyes off the ball. (well! except when cricket is involved)
Film you wish you had made: Searching for Sugar Man
Favourite Quote: “It is what it is.”
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WRITER/ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
ANANYA ROY
×ANANYA ROY
WRITER/ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
An English Literature major turned IT professional followed her first love for movies and showed up at CurleyStreet, determined to stay. The filmmaker from Kolkata has been everything from costume designer to social media expert to script writer at CurleyStreet. Her ability to hold fort amidst production mayhem is her strength.
Film you wish you had made: Pather Panchali
Favourite Quote: “Not all those who wander are lost.”
If not film: Jedi
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×RISHI THUSSU
CO-FOUNDER
Rishi, Director on the board of CurleyStreet Media, is a post-graduate from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. In his previous life, he was a consultant with McKinsey & Company, the world’s top management consulting firm. At McKinsey, Rishi worked with clients across multiple industries and functions but with a special interest in healthcare.
Film you wish you had made: Forrest Gump
Favourite Quote: “We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that’s all.”
Idea that changed the world: Sanitation
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×JYOLSNA BALAKRISHNAN
EDITOR
Having cut and refined over 70 Corporate Films, 5 Documentaries, 3 Short Films and several event videos, the editing room is Jo’s haven. Jo is renowned for her incredible stamina while chopping and changing without a break for literally days on end. She is also a trained classical singer/dancer. As an artist and a musician, Jo brings deep sensitivity and style to the CurleyStreet table.
Film you wish you had made: Deconstructing Harry
Favourite Quote: “Subjectivity is objective.”
If not film: Dancer
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×TEJESH KIRAN
LINE PRODUCER
With 3 Feature Films, 15 Documentaries, 18 Ad Films and more than 20 Corporate Films under his belt, Kiran brings a wealth of experience to every CurleyStreet production. Many have tried in vain to pose a problem to Kiran which doesn’t elicit his legendary “I’ll take care of it” assurance; and he does, every single time. His monk like calm, infectious laughter and unmatched discipline makes him “The Rock of CurleyStreet”.
Film you wish you had made: All Krzysztof Kieslowski films.
Favourite Quote: “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible.”
If not film:Chef
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×NONIDH YADAV
EDITOR/CINEMATOGRAPHER
Our youngest team member and in-house superhero expert is a bit of a crusader himself when it comes to filmmaking. His was not a childhood dream. It is a defiant passion that developed in response to his friend’s taunts about his love for Indian films. Having studied and made films in Dubai and Los Angeles for 7 years, this Delhi boy returned to India to be part of cinema in the homeland. As an Editor, Cinematographer and Motion Graphics expert, his enthusiasm and skill elevates everything he works on. His good humour is legendary and keeps us all on our toes. As long as we don’t insult Batman around him.
Film you wish you had made: Udaan
Favourite Quote: “Pain and pleasure, like light and darkness, succeed each other”
If not film: Con Artist
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×SEAN SOMANNA
PRODUCER
A.K.A The One Man Army. Having started his love affair with film over a decade ago as a spot-boy, this tall, curly-haired and charming Mr Capable is now a producer par extraordinaire. There is no job too difficult, no call time too early and no situation too grim for the man we call ‘The Scene’! He has been part of the production team for Roadies, Kingfisher Model Hunt, Chakh Le India and shows on MTV, NDTV, UTV Bindaas, ETV Kannada and Zee Cafe. In his own words, he is happiest when he is working and since he is almost always working, there are few who emanate the sheer joy of living like our beloved Sean does. From a scuba diving instructor to a hair stylist, he has done it all and we are sure glad that he is now here to bring his experience, skill, energy and smile to complete the CurleyStreet family.
Film you wish you had made: 7 Years in Tibet
Favourite Quote: “None but ourselves can free our minds – Bob Marley”
If not film: Hair stylist
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Chief Cuddling Officer (CCO)
BONO
×BONO
Chief Cuddling Officer (CCO)
“If there’s somethin’ strange in your neighborhood. Who ya gonna call? Mr. BONO!”. No CurleyStreet Production is without the tail wagging support of Bono (A.K.A – BonoBob, Bonito, Bonster, Bon Bon, Mr. Washer….). This intuitive key member of the team has a sixth sense when it comes to identifying any kind of stress and is quick to huddle and cuddle! After all, happiness is indeed a warm puppy.
Film you wish you had made: The Dogfather
Favourite Quote: “You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a dog, which is what I am.”
If not film: Travel the world advocating Egg Puffs
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