Who I Am

Traveller | Explorer | Filmmaker

I started my career in the ‘80s with advertising agencies like Hindustan Thompson (New Delhi), Maa Bozell (Bangalore), and Tara Sinha (New Delhi) but quickly made the switch to filmmaking, especially documentaries and non-fiction short films, towards the end of the decade. My tryst with documentaries began while backpacking across Australia’s east coast where I stumbled upon a filmmaker, Ken Dyer, who taught me the basics of the craft throughout the remainder of my time there. Life thereon simply took another turn. If you want a deeper peek into my entry into filmmaking, check out this blog!

Upon returning in 1988, I co-produced a radio show for BBC Wales featuring prominent Indian luminaries, including Madhu Kishwar, Margaret Alva, Kiran Bedi, and Shahnaaz Hussain. Ever since, I steered an independent production company called Zonsta Creation and took films produced under its banner to international television markets like MIPCOM and MIPTV in Cannes, France. I have also worked as an independent producer/director with domestic and international broadcasters such as Zee TV, Sahara, Columbia Tristar, ARTE, Zone Reality, Turner Broadcasting System, TLC Discovery, and Capital TV. 

Every creative artist, however, always has a moment of truth. For me, it happened around Y2K. I had received an offer from Columbia Tristar and AXN to make a film on India’s Aghoris in Varanasi, a ritualistic community that consumes human meat from burning corpses at Manikarnika Ghat.

I spent an entire night sitting by the banks of the Ganga, inhaling toxic fumes and watching corpses burn until dawn and beyond.

Honestly, it changed my life.

Watching death and the philosophy of life unravel itself with such vividness defined my purpose as a filmmaker. Believe it or not, it’s been 20 long years and I am yet to touch fiction.

My work has essentially revolved around topics, stories, and people associated with spirituality, mysticism, paranormal experiences and alchemy that deal with some of the lesser-known and -understood aspects of the world we live in and I dare say, even mocked. If you’re interested, why not watch the film itself?

As the century drew to a close, I began seeking out more of such opportunities. Call it luck or divine providence, most of the projects that have defined my body of work so far have taken me to places completely unknown, forcing me to deal with subjects far from mainstream. These have also defined the kind of person I am today.

Filmmaking is more than just a vocation for me. It is a journey towards exploring what the eyes cannot see and the ears cannot hear. It is a way of understanding and seeing life with fresh eyes and by extension… our own selves. After spending close to 30 years in the media industry and focusing on self-growth, I offer an opportunity to focus on personal evolution, attain a higher sense of consciousness, and contribute meaningfully to the world around you.

If you’re looking to collaborate, discuss ideas for projects, share feedback over any of my films, or simply catch a cup of coffee (even over Zoom!), hit me up! Get in touch by writing to me at contact@mahiema.com.

Happy to hear from you!

Mahiema Anand.
Filmmaker.