Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Santosh Ram. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Santosh , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

My journey into filmmaking started with a simple passion for storytelling that began in my childhood. I grew up in a middle-class family in Udgir, Maharashtra. My father was a school teacher, and he always supported me. I studied at Lal Bahadur Shastri Vidyalaya in the Marathi medium. While I was an average student, I was very good at telling stories in class. I believe this talent came from my father, who bought me many storybooks. Watching late-night films on Doordarshan also fueled my interest in cinema. Later, during my graduation at Udaygiri Mahavidyalaya in Udgir, my love for English literature and my teachers inspired me to write and appreciate storytelling even more. That’s when I decided to become a professional filmmaker. I was rejected twice by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), but I didn’t give up. Instead, I completed my master’s degree in English Literature, which helped me better understand how to craft a story.
In our Society , it’s a common belief that only students who are not good at their studies or are “spoiled” go into the film industry, as everyone else aims for careers in medical, engineering, or teaching. Despite this mindset, I am so grateful for my father’s support. It’s because of him that I have achieved success today.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My path to filmmaking wasn’t a straight one. Although I was rejected twice by the **Film and Television Institute of India (FTII)**, I never gave up on my dream of making films. Instead of getting into film school, I got my education by working on 14 student diploma projects there. I did everything—I was a camera assistant, direction assistant, boom man, and even a production manager and art director. This hands-on experience gave me practical knowledge about filmmaking. For theory, I photocopied about 50 filmmaking books from the library. I like to say I’m a “formal FTII canteen pass-out student” because that’s where my journey really began. My friends, Cinematographer Anil Esram and Shailesh Shankar Kulkarni, were a big help to me during those early years.

To further my skills, I took a **Film Appreciation Course** at the National Film Archive of India and a six-month filmmaking course at **Cine Fusion, Pune**. I also completed a special course on “City Narratives in Cinema and Literature.” I believe my background in literature is what sets my work apart; it helps me create strong, character-focused stories that are both powerful and socially relevant.

I founded my own production company, **Vivek Chitra Production**, and now focus on writing, directing, and producing Commercial Films ,films about important social issues. Each film is a unique piece of art meant to make people think and talk.

My main films include:

* **Vartul (Circle) (2009):** This was my first film and a major success. Based on a real event, it was selected for over **56 film festivals** and won **14 awards**, showing me the power of cinema to connect with a global audience.
* **Galli (The Lane) (2015):** This film was also selected for 14 film festivals worldwide.
* **Prashna (Question) (2020):** This film was highly praised, earning a **Filmfare Short Film Award** nomination and winning the **Iris Award for Special Mention (Writing)** at the UNICEF Innocenti Film Festival in Italy. It was screened in **40 film festivals** and won **17 awards**, proving my commitment to using film to address difficult topics.
* **The Story of Yuvraj and Shahajahan (2024):** This film had its world premiere at the Oscar-qualifying 19th Tasveer Film Festival 2024 ,<b>16th KASHISH Pride Film Festival ,Mumbai 2025 , 22nd Indian Film Festival Stuttgart 2025 Germany , 16th Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF) 2025 </b>and has been praised for its sensitive and honest portrayal of a rarely seen subject in Indian cinema.

I also work as an **Executive Producer** on Hindi Short films like *Peepal* and *Mera School*, helping to bring other important stories to life.

What sets me apart is my focus on **authentic storytelling** and **social relevance**. My films are not just for entertainment; they are a reflection of my life and the world around me. I often use minimal dialogue to let the emotions of the characters show through, as I did in *The Story of Yuvraj and Shahajahan*. As a curator and juror for film festivals, I have a deep understanding of what makes a film truly impactful. I’m always learning and growing as a filmmaker.

I am most proud of my ability to create stories that connect with people from different countries and cultures. The awards my films have received, including the **14 awards for *Vartul*** and the **UNICEF award for *Prashna***, show that the themes I explore are universal. I am working on my first feature film which is a lifelong dream of mine. It proves that a powerful story can find its audience anywhere.

I want my audience and potential partners to know that my work is a labor of love. I believe a good story has the power to change how people see the world. I’m not afraid to tackle tough subjects, and I am dedicated to making films that are honest, compassionate, and meaningful. My brand is built on **honesty, social awareness, and artistic quality**. I hope my films inspire viewers to see the world a little differently and to appreciate the beauty and complexity in every person’s story.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My main goal is to create films that are successful both critically and commercially. I want my work to be praised by critics and commercially successful in the industry, but I also want it to connect with a wide audience and perform well at the box office.

My creative journey is driven by a mission to tell meaningful, authentic stories that resonate with people on a global scale. I believe cinema has the power to change perspectives and build bridges between cultures. To achieve this, I am actively working on several projects that will allow me to explore different themes, languages, and settings.

I have a number of exciting projects in the pipeline that reflect my ambitions * **International Projects:** I am developing a film with an international scope, with plans to shoot in **China** and the **USA**. This project is a major step toward reaching a global audience and exploring universal themes that transcend borders.
* **Marathi Film:** I am also focused on creating a film in my native language, Marathi. This is important to me because it allows me to tell a story that is deeply connected to my roots and the culture of the **Marathwada region**, the source of much of my creative inspiration.
* **Hindi Films:** I have **three Hindi film projects** in development. The Hindi film industry provides a massive platform to tell diverse stories that can reach audiences all over India and beyond.

Ultimately, my mission is to build a body of work that is not only artistically strong but also commercially viable. I want to prove that films with a deep social conscience can also be popular and successful. My goal is to create a legacy of meaningful cinema that entertains, inspires, and leaves a lasting impact on viewers everywhere.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

To build an audience on social media, I’ve focused on three key things: **honesty, hard work, and knowledge**. For me, it’s not about quick tricks or hacks; it’s about a consistent, sincere effort to connect with people and show them the quality of my work.

My approach to social media is to be authentic and let my work speak for itself. I use these platforms to document my journey as a filmmaker, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses, production updates, and the process of bringing a story to life.

Instead of just posting finished films, I share the reality of filmmaking, including the challenges and the triumphs. For example, when my films are officially selected for festivals, I share the news with my audience, which helps build trust and shows them that my work is getting real-world recognition. Entering film festivals is a crucial part of my strategy; it’s a way to prove the quality of my work and build a name for myself in the industry. The awards and selections then become valuable content for my social media, showing my audience that my films are critically acclaimed.

* **Be Authentic and Honest:** Your audience can tell if you’re being fake. Share your true journey, including your failures and successes. It makes you relatable and builds a stronger connection.
* **Show, Don’t Just Tell:** Instead of just saying you’re a filmmaker, show it. Post photos from your shoots, clips of your work, and videos explaining your creative process. This proves your passion and abilities.
* **Let Your Work Prove Itself:** My motto is to let my films do the talking. I put immense effort into making high-quality, meaningful films. The awards and festival selections that follow become proof of that effort. Focus on creating an excellent product or service first; the recognition will naturally give you content for social media.
* **Engage with Your Community:** Building an audience is about more than just posting content; it’s about building a community. Respond to comments, thank people for their support, and engage with others in your field. This creates a loyal following that feels invested in your success.
* **Knowledge is Power:** Always keep learning about your craft and your industry. The more you know, the more you have to share. Your knowledge will be a huge asset in creating valuable content that attracts and keeps followers.

Building a social media presence is a long-term commitment. It’s about combining **hard work** and **knowledge** with a genuine desire to connect with your audience. The goal is to build a foundation of **trust** that will support you and your work for years to come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://santoshram1.wordpress.com/filmmaker-santosh-ram/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filmmakersantoshram
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/filmmakersantoshram
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/filmmakersantoshram/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/santoshram1

Image Credits
@|Santosh Ram
@Zero Plus Film Festival , Tyumen, Russia
@Vartul – Vivek Chitra Production
@Galli- Vivek Chitra Production
@Prashna-Dips Production
@The Story of Yuvraj and Shahajahan-Vivek Chitra Production