Amala Akkineni
Director
Her career spans performing arts, cinema, education, social entrepreneurship, and animal welfare. As a film actor, she has worked in over 58 films across five Indian languages, many of which have received critical and national acclaim.
She has pioneered humane and sustainable animal welfare services in Hyderabad, India; positively impacting thousands of lives – human and animal.
Since 2017, as Director of Annapurna College of Film and Media, she has led academic governance, institutional management, film production, and industry interface.
Her mission is to facilitate individual and organizational transformation to achieve human potential; along with promoting compassion for all life.
Sayandeb Mukherjee
Dean and HOD - Sound Design
With a career spanning over two decades, Sayandeb brings a wealth of experience from both the educational and industry sectors.
During his 24 years of professional experience, Sayandeb worked in various roles in Media Entertainment. His career includes Broadcast Worldwide (Tara Bangla), Research Engineers Pvt Ltd. (Netguru), and a decade-long tenure at Ramoji Film City, where he worked in film production, sound recording, and media management.
Sayandeb has developed a deep understanding of film and media production, contributing extensively to both the creative and technical aspects of filmmaking with a keen focus on sound.
At Annapurna College for over a decade, Sayandeb has provided leadership on many fronts, imparting his film knowledge and expertise to students in the department of Sound Design.
Dr. Thatiparthy Vijaya Raghava
Principal - Annapurna College and HOD - Acting
A seasoned theatre professional and academician with over 27 years of experience in performing arts education and practice, Dr. Raghava also functions as Principal at the College.
As an acting faculty his teaching integrates classical theatre training with contemporary performance methods, enabling students to develop a strong foundation in character building, physical expression, and stagecraft.
A talented actor himself, he has also been actively involved in rural theatre initiatives through organizations like AREA and the Association of Rural Theatre, where he works on community-driven performances and outreach programs. His core expertise lies in acting, direction, theatre education, and applied theatre practices.
Dr. Raghava is known for nurturing creative expression and cultural sensitivity in his students, while bringing real-world experience into the classroom.
Rima Mazumdar
HOD - Editing
Rima brings over 26 years of experience in the television, digital, and corporate film production industries.
Her career experience includes content producer for Progressive Vision / Joyce Meyer
Ministries and in editing roles at Deccan Chronicle Interactive and Ushakiron
Television. Additionally, Rima freelanced as an editor for Flying Elephant Films,
demonstrating her versatility and expertise in both creative and technical aspects of
film production.
For over a decade, she has been an integral part of Annapurna College, where she
imparts her vast knowledge and industry experience to aspiring filmmakers and media
professionals teaching Editing.
Debanjan Bandyopadhyay
Faculty - Editing
Debanjan has 17 years of experience in film, television, and academia, and has worked with major broadcasters and studios, including Star TV, Doordarshan Kolkata, NHK Tokyo, Film Shop, and Ganapati Entertainment and later in academia for over seven years.
His teaching philosophy is rooted in blending strong theoretical foundations with practical insights gained from the field, nurturing the next generation of filmmakers with a focus on craft, creativity, and critical thinking.
VMK Sistla
HOD - Cinematography
A graduate in Film & TV Production (Cinematography) with over a decade of experience in both industry and academia. Sistla's practical experience spans various roles, including cinematographer for a documentary film (for the Indian Army in 2016), and associate cameraman for the Tamil feature film "ATTI."
Sistla's career includes significant contributions to television, working as an Assistant Director of Photography for prominent programs like KBC South, Neengalum Vellalaam Oru Kodi, and Kannadadha Kotyadhipathi. His television experience also includes working on major events such as Tamizhan Virudugal and 7UP Dance Pattalam. He is well-versed in both 35mm film and digital cameras, with experience in Standard and High Definition formats.
He has a keen interest in Direction, screenwriting and production design as well. As a filmmaker, he has made several ad films, short films and a feature film. He teaches the nuances of cinematography, film production, and visual storytelling to students. along with Production Design and Digital Imaging.
Rocky Vanamali
Faculty - Cinematography
Rocky is a skilled cinematographer and photographer with extensive experience across feature films, web series, music videos, commercials, and digital content. A graduate in both Cinematography and Engineering, Rocky brings technical precision and creative flair to his visual storytelling.
His portfolio includes cinematography for award-winning commercial campaigns for brands like Pampers, Coca-Cola China, Gillette, and Nestea. Rocky has also served as the principal cinematographer for popular music bands like RJD (Chennai) and The Down Troddence (Kerala).
His experience spans over short films, documentaries, indie music videos, cooking shows, and more than 100 celebrity interviews for Media. He is proficient with a wide range of professional equipment, including ARRI, RED, Sony, Canon, Blackmagic, and DJI systems, and has advanced skills in Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Photoshop, and photo retouching.
Rocky is known for his adaptability, collaborative spirit, and passion for exploring diverse visual formats. His classes are vibrant with music playing to get the vibe, and other engaging activities.
Dr. Kiran Kumar
Faculty - Screenwriting (Telugu) and Coordinator - Fundamentals of Filmmaking Certificate Course
A seasoned academic and media professional with over three decades of experience in film, television, and education, Dr. Kiron specialised in Folk Arts with an extensive background in media production. He has worked with Studio-N, Concept Media, and films like Abhi and NRI. He has also taught at numerous prestigious institutions before Annapurna College where he brings a rich blend of cultural insights and practical media expertise.
Sakshi Gulati
Faculty - Screenwriting and Direction
Sakshi is an Award-winning writer, filmmaker, and educator with over 15 years of experience in Media Entertainment and an experienced filmmaker/educator with a strong background in fiction and non-fiction storytelling. At Annapurna College, she mentors students in narrative and visual storytelling.
Acclaimed Works and work experience : Half Lives (2023), Neon (2019), and Chalbadi (2024), with screenings at major festivals like the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, Visioni Urbane Bologna, and SIMFEST Romania. She has also produced PSAs and corporate films for clients like Pampers and Kolte Patil Builders.
A passionate teacher, Sakshi uses storytelling to highlight social justice issues, documenting grassroots movements and indigenous cultures. She has conducted filmmaking workshops across India and taught at various filmmaking institutions. Her core skills include screenwriting, cinematography, and editing (Premiere Pro, FCP, Da Vinci Resolve).
Vamsi Telugu
Faculty - Direction and Screenwriting
Before entering academia, Vamsi Telugu worked as a Research Scientist at Hyundai R&D and contributed to tribal development initiatives in Telangana. His creative expertise spans direction, screenplay writing, documentary cinematography, and editing.
At Annapurna College, he mentors students in cinematic language, storytelling, and the complete filmmaking process, grounding his teaching in both practical experience and narrative sensitivity. Vamsi brings extensive understanding of both fiction and non-fiction filmmaking to the classroom.
His acclaimed work in Fiction: short film 3C48 won Best Indian Film at the 19th Kalpanirjhar International Short Fiction Film Festival; Documentary Floating Fish received the Best Film award at Toto Funds the Arts. He has also worked on several commissioned documentaries for the Telangana Language and Culture Department and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focusing on indigenous cultures.
Dhatchayani Sistla
Faculty - Direction and Screenwriting
For Dhatchayani Sistla, cinema isn't just a medium — it's a conversation with the world. As a multidisciplinary filmmaker and educator, with over a decade of experience in crafting impactful narratives across formats, Dhatchayani brings heart, craft, and clarity to every narrative she helps shape and believes stories have the power to heal, provoke, question, and connect across boundaries
Her creative journey spans across short films, features, corporate ads, and curriculum design — including being the script doctor and producer for Aatmanirbhar Bharat (2025) and contributing to two-time award-winning short fiction like Sivaagnya.
As an educator, Dhatchayani is known for her engaging and immersive teaching style. Her sessions often blend structure with intuition, cinematic theory with personal discovery — and always with a deep respect for the student's voice. She remains a passionate advocate for stories that dare to feel — and make us feel in return.
She strongly believes "Stories don't whisper to everyone. When they come to you, listen loud! Believe in stories that feel like scars — personal, lived, unforgettable."
Simranjit Singh Sandhu
Faculty - Sound Design
Simranjit Singh Sandhu is a Sound Recording and Sound Designing professional with over 15 years of experience in the field of Sound for Audio-Visual media. His portfolio spans across Films, Documentaries, OTT, Virtual Reality (VR), Game Audio, Podcasts, and 3D Immersive Sound. His expertise in cinematic sound design and mixing, spatial audio, immersive audio recording, he crafts engaging stories through sound.
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Mumbai University, a Diploma in Audio Engineering from SAE Institute, Mumbai, and a Diploma in Sound Design for Visual Media from Vancouver Film School, Canada. In addition, he has earned certifications in Podcasting & Audio Media from FTII, Pune, Film Editing from Ramoji Academy of Movies, Hyderabad, and Dolby Atmos Essentials from Dolby Labs. This diverse educational background allows him to approach sound from both technical and creative perspectives, blending latest industry standard tools and technologies with artistic storytelling.
Since 2019, Simranjit has been a part of Annapurna College of Film and Media, and undertakes topics of Sync Sound, Live Sound, Sound Editing, Sound Processing and Modulation, Sound Mixing, VR 3D Audio, Game Audio, and Podcasting. He focuses on hands-on, project based learning and guides students by covering both fundamental principles and advanced industry workflows. From recording and editing to mixing and immersive audio, he helps students develop both creative sensibilities and technical skills, preparing them for careers in the global media industry.
Some of the notable projects of Simranjit are -
1. ICC Immersive (Sound Director) - Apple Vision Pro VR application for the ICC T20 Men's International World Cup 2024
2. A Far Afternoon (Sync Sound Recordist) - 2016 National Award for Best Arts / Cultural Film & Best Music
3. Shut Up Sona (Location Sound Recordist) - Musical Documentary on the life and struggles of singer Sona Mohapatra
4. The Disciple (Location Sound Assistant) - Marathi Feature Film directed by National Award winner Chaitanya Tamhane
5. The Trip #2 (Sync Sound Recordist) - Fictional OTT series
6. When the Ocean Met the Sky (Dialogue Editor) - Independent Canadian Feature Film
7. Black Mountain Side (Boom Operator) - Independent Canadian Feature Film
Akhil Bhaneswar
Faculty - Acting
A media and performing arts professional with a background in television, theatre, and academia, he combines academic training with hands-on industry experience. He has worked with prominent media houses such as Zee Telugu and Star Maa, and conducted several theatre workshops. With over six years of professional experience, he currently mentors students at Annapurna College, bringing a blend of performance theory and industry practice to the classroom.
Janardhana Reddy
Faculty - 3D Animation & VFX
With almost two decades of experience in the field of 3D Animation and Visual Effects, Janardhana Reddy is a seasoned professional with strong expertise in both creative production and academics. He has worked with some of the most reputed animation training institutions, including Animaster, Ants, and Wiztoonz, where he contributed significantly to student development and curriculum delivery.
A 3D Generalist by skill, Janardhana's core passions lie in Art, Character Animation & Rigging, and Compositing. He has mentored students across various states and is widely recognized as a dedicated and impactful trainer.
At Annapurna College of Film and Media he continues to inspire and guide the next generation of animation and VFX professionals.
Abhijith Rajan
Faculty - Direction and Screenwriting
Abhijith Rajan bridges the critical gap between artistic vision and industry reality. A Gold Medalist in Film Direction, Screenplay Writing , and Television Production from the prestigious MGR Government Film Institute and a seasoned filmmaker with over a decade of experience, Abhijith brings a rare dual perspective to the classroom. Having served as the Senior Programmer for the Viewing Room at NFDC Film Bazaar and an acquisitions specialist for major studios, he understands exactly what curators, OTT platforms, and audiences look for in a story. Mentored by the legendary Sri Ramoji Rao garu, Abhijith empowers aspiring directors and screenwriters at Annapurna to craft narratives that are not only creatively fulfilling but commercially viable in today's global cinema landscape.
Praveen K
Executive Coordinator | Sr. Manager – Media and Production
Praveen K leads the Media and Production Department at Annapurna College of Film and Media, coordinating academic, creative, and student-focused initiatives. With experience spanning media management, production support, student services and digital content handling, he ensures the smooth execution of projects, events, workshops, and college-level film activities.
Known for his organised approach and ability to streamline processes, Praveen works closely with students, faculty, and industry professionals, contributing to a productive and supportive learning environment. He also oversees social media operations, manages equipment workflows, and assists in planning shoots, documentation, and campus events.
Driven by a passion for filmmaking, technology, culture and student development, Praveen continues to support the college's mission of nurturing the next generation of creative talent.
Manupriya Bali
Head - HR, Operations and Industry Interface
With over two decades of experience across education, media, advertising, and technology-driven organizations, she specializes in building scalable systems, driving culture and engagement, and aligning people strategies with business goals. She currently leads HR and industry interface initiatives at Annapurna College of Film and Media.
At Annapurna, she works to drive industry–academia collaborations, talent development, and operational excellence to enhance institutional growth and student outcomes.
Dr. S. Sriram
Manager - Academic Administration
Sriram has over 10 years' experience in quality assurance, accreditation, and academic administration. He has been instrumental in strengthening institutional frameworks across universities and autonomous institutions where he has successfully led NAAC, NBA, and AICTE processes, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and continuous quality improvement.
His work spans institution building, academic governance, curriculum structuring, documentation systems, and internal quality assurance mechanisms, contributing to sustainable academic practices and long-term institutional growth. With strong understanding of regulatory requirements and stakeholder coordination, Sriram has consistently supported institutions in improving academic outcomes, operational efficiency, and accreditation readiness.
