Rajan Chauhan with Indian Filmmaker & Artist Ujjwal Kanishka Utkarsh at Parul Institute of Design, Parul University
Learning from Ujjwal Kanishka Utkarsh during my journey at the Parul Institute of Design (PID), Parul University, was a valuable experience that expanded my understanding of filmmaking as both an artistic and collaborative medium. As an Indian filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist, his approach to cinema emphasized the importance of creative thinking, visual storytelling, and expressing ideas with authenticity.
Our interaction focused on the fundamentals of film direction, the creative process behind transforming ideas into cinematic experiences, and the importance of developing a unique perspective as a filmmaker. His insights highlighted that directing is not only about managing a film set but also about understanding human emotions, visual composition, rhythm, and storytelling.
For me, film school was never limited to classroom learning. Workshops, masterclasses, and interactions with filmmakers like Ujjwal Kanishka Utkarsh provided practical knowledge that complemented academic learning. These sessions encouraged students to experiment, collaborate, and explore different approaches to cinema while developing confidence in their own creative voice.
As an aspiring film director, experiences like these became an important part of my journey. Every conversation with industry professionals added a new perspective, strengthened my passion for filmmaking, and reinforced the belief that continuous learning is essential for growth in the world of cinema. Looking back, these moments at Parul University played a significant role in shaping my creative vision and my approach to directing films.
Ujjwal Kanishka Utkarsh is an Indian independent filmmaker, visual artist, editor, writer, researcher, and educator whose work is rooted in observational cinema, experimental filmmaking, and artistic research. He is currently based in Vienna, Austria, where he has been pursuing a practice-based PhD at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma in Filmmaking from the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad.
Practice-based PhD researcher at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.
Previously worked as a teaching associate at NID and has taught filmmaking workshops at institutions across India.
Career
Ujjwal's work explores documentary practice, observational cinema, moving images, photography, sound, and performance art. Rather than conventional narrative filmmaking, his films investigate social realities, political movements, labour, memory, and everyday life through long-form observation.
Notable Films
Chalo Una (Come! Let's March to Una.) (2022) – Director & Editor
Special Service (2017)
Away Now (2012)
Purna Virama (The Last Stop) (2009)
Mrigtrishna (Mirage) (2010)
Vikalpa (2011)
International Recognition
His films and video works have been presented at major international festivals and exhibitions, including:
Tampere Film Festival (Finland)
Les Rencontres Internationales (Paris & Berlin)
Videobrasil Biennial
Kochi-Muziris Biennale
Signs International Film Festival
Madurai International Film Festival
Teaching & Workshops
Apart from filmmaking, Ujjwal has conducted workshops and taught film direction, scriptwriting, documentary filmmaking, and video arts at several institutions, including:
National Institute of Design (Ahmedabad & Haryana)
Parul University, Vadodara (five-day filmmaking workshop)
Various art and film schools in India and Europe.
Filmmaking Style
His work is characterized by:
Observational documentary cinema.
Experimental and non-fiction storytelling.
Social and political themes.
Artistic research.
Long-take visual language.
Sound-driven narratives.
Cinema as a form of social inquiry rather than entertainment.
Ujjwal Kanishka Utkarsh is regarded as a filmmaker who bridges cinema, contemporary art, and academic research, making him one of the notable contemporary voices in India's independent and experimental film movement.
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