SHANTANU SAGARA

Shantanu Sagara is a Mumbai-based writer and director with a BFA in Film from Santa Fe University of Art and Design, New Mexico, USA. Raised in a family of visual artists, he views filmmaking as an inherently artistic medium — one ripe for experimentation and reinvention, with room for magic. His documentary Gypslum premiered at the Death of Architecture Festival, and his short film on artist Lynda Benglis has been exhibited in museums worldwide. Shantanu’s work spans international commercials and Indian cinema, with credits as an assistant director on films like The Sky is Pink, Dil Bechara and Rajma Chawal. He has directed campaigns for brands like Mercari and Goody with Leo Burnett International.

As a storyteller, Shantanu co-wrote Sharing a Ride with Leena Yadav, featured in the Oscar-nominated anthology Tell It Like a Woman. His debut music video for Lotus Flower’s Wilting — featured on NOWNESS Asia, praised by Homegrown as a “cinematic elegy to the fragility of life,” and lauded by WildCity for its high-quality execution — showcases his dedication to innovative and emotional storytelling. He also directed a brand film for Magari, a poetic musical narrative tracing the journey of an idea from conception to creation.

Currently, Shantanu is focused on writing and directing music videos, commercials, and developing feature films, as well as writing series for Indian OTT platforms. His work thrives at the intersection of visual arts, music, and cinema, crafting experiential narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.