Jury Chairperson
Padma Shri Resul Pookutty
Academy Award-winning Sound Designer & Editor
Resul Pookutty is one of India’s most celebrated sound designers, sound editor and audio mixer.. He gained global acclaim by winning the Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Sound Mixing on Slumdog Millionaire (along with his team) and the BAFTA Award for Best Sound on the same film. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to cinema, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri (2010).
Over more than two decades, Pookutty has lent his sonic artistry to a diverse slate of films. His breakthrough came with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black (2005) and he later worked on major hits like Musafir, Traffic Signal, Gandhi, My Father, Saawariya and Enthiran. Colleagues praise his ability to craft soundscapes that are “timeless and evocative,” deeply rooted in emotion. He continues to innovate in sound design and inspire young filmmakers with his passion and warmth.
Rafey Mahmood
Director of Photography (Cinematographer)
Rafey Mahmood is an award-winning cinematographer based in Mumbai, known for his refined visual sensibility and deep engagement with storytelling. His work spans feature films, documentaries, and commercials, marked by a seamless blend of technical precision and emotional depth.
His notable filmography includes Kill, Costao, Pagglait, RK/RKAY, Aankhon Dekhi, Haasil, Raghu Romeo, Mithya, Siya, Cosmic Sex, and the IMAX documentary Journey to Mecca. For Kill, he received the Filmfare and IIFA Awards for Best Cinematography (2025). Earlier, he was honoured with the National Award for Best Cinematography (Non-Fiction), along with several accolades for advertising and commercial work, including IDPA, Gold Camerawork, and RAPA Awards. A dedicated educator, he regularly conducts workshops at FTII, SRFTI, and Whistling Woods, and recently delivered the prestigious V. K. Murthy Memorial Lecture on Cinematography at the Bangalore International Film Festival.
Jury Member
Jury Member
Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury
Film Director
Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury is an acclaimed director whose films blend artistic themes with commercial appeal. He made his debut with the Bengali drama Anuranan (2006) and quickly earned a reputation for its sensitive storytelling and the National Award for Best Bengali Film. He won the Swarnakamal, the National Film Award for Best Film for Antaheen (2008). His most famous film, the Hindi thriller Pink (2016), also won the National Award for Best Film on Social Issues and was a major critical and commercial success.
Known for addressing social issues with nuance and empathy, Chowdhury’s films engage viewers thoughtfully. He has also directed hundreds of acclaimed television commercials. A thoughtful and warm storyteller, he continues to inspire pride with his creativity and impact on both Bengali and Hindi cinema.
Aarti Bajaj
Film Editor
Aarti Bajaj is a highly respected film editor in Hindi cinema, known for her sharp storytelling instincts. Bajaj’s editing credits include some of Bollywood’s most beloved films. She skilfully shaped the romantic hit Jab We Met (2007) and the intense noir Black Friday (2007). Her versatility is evident in projects ranging from the quirky Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. to dramas like Rockstar and Highway. She also edited the masterful Pan Singh Tomar, the flamboyant Dev D and the suspenseful Aamir, earning several Filmfare and Screen Award nominations.
Critics describe her as a ‘masterful’ editor who lets the narrative breathe bringing out each characters’ emotions yet with a profound sense of rhythm and pace. Over her 25-year career, she has shaped and enhanced numerous compelling narratives and with films like ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ she continues to be a role model for young editors and film enthusiasts.
Jury Member
Urmi Juvekar
Screenwriter
Urmi Juvekar is a talented screenwriter and documentary filmmaker celebrated for her incisive, socially conscious scripts. She is best known for writing the screenplays of Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008), I Am (2010) and Shanghai (2012). Each of these films earned critical acclaim. Shanghai, a taut political thriller, was a significant box-office and festival hit, and I Am won awards for its powerful social themes. Early in her career she wrote comedy-dramas like Shararat (2002) and Rules: Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula (2003), showcasing her range and versatality.
In 2015 she co-wrote the script for the star-studded crime drama Detective ‘Byomkesh Bakshy’ for Yash Raj Films. Urmi’s writing is praised for its wit, empathy and depth. Peers admire her ability to balance meaningful content with commercial appeal. As a skilful screenwriter, Urmi Juvekar continues to expand the horizons of contemporary Indian cinema.