Nila Madhab Panda

Nila Madhab Panda Biography

Nila Madhab Panda is an Indian film director and social activist. His directorial debut – I am Kalam won many National and international awards. Panda's second feature film Jalpari: The Desert Mermaid was well received by audience as well as critics. He has directed many documentaries and short films that have won many international awards.

Nila Madhab Panda was born in a joined family of poor financial background in Odisha. His schooling was also done with difficulty. In 1995, at the age of 22, Panda ran away from his house and moved to Delhi. He did odd jobs like cooking, household work and selling mobiles to earn a living in Delhi. However he managed to get a job as camera assistant which changed his life forever. He started learning film making and later earned Entrepreneurship from IIM too. In 1998, he founded a multimedia production house - Eleeanora Images. He is also the Founder and Executive Director of the India Screenwriting Lab that produces quality scripts for movies. Till now he has produced and directed over 70 shorts, documentaries, television drama and films for television and NGOs.

A story he encountered while shooting for a documentary later became a critically well acclaimed movie on big screen – I am Kalam. He has produced two television serials – Aatmajaa and Chiraag, both in Hindi. His short films are Kinara, Pahel, Chupee and Lali’s world. I Dare to Dream, Swajaldhara, Brick by brick, Samaya Sagara Tire, A heart for art, Water — our lifeline, Smole again, We will grow and 21st century folktale are a few of his documentary works.

He has received numerous honours like United Nations Visual Media fellowship in 2002, Aravindan Puraskaram in 2011 for debut director, Odisha Living Legend Award, UK Film Fellowship and Excellence in media. He has also received numerous film awards at Barbican London Children Film Festival, Minsk International Film Festival, Film festival of India, Cairo International Film Festival for Children, Cannes film festival and many more.

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Updated: January 22, 2014