Industry Experts

Guided by industry luminaries and accomplished professionals, our dedicated Mentors bring a wealth of expertise to help you master your craft and unlock your creative potential.

Ashish Kulkarni

A pioneering force behind the Indian animation, gaming, and XR sectors, his journey—spanning over four decades—is synonymous with the rise of India as a global AVGC-XR powerhouse . A pioneer who not only turned imagination into industry, he has also bridged art, technology, and education to lay the very foundation of India’s AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) by coining the word AVGC-XR & builing the ecosystem. From bringing the world’s biggest studios—Disney, DreamWorks, and Warner Bros.—to India’s production floors, to inspiring the creation of original Indian stories like ‘Little Krishna’, Krishna Aur Kans, Big Bees and ‘Shaktimaan’, Mr. Ashish Kulkarni has served as both architect and ambassador of the nation’s creative economy. As the Founding Director of the - Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) and Chairman of FICCI’s AVGC-XR Forum, he continues to craft the policy frameworks and educational roadmaps that secure India’s position as a global hub for digital and cultural innovation. His latest pursuit - TheGreen Butterfly Art Village at Lonavala, embodies his belief that creativity must co-exist with sustainability and community. A thinker rooted in tradition yet futuristic in execution, Ashish represents the rare fusion of policy maker, storyteller, and mentor—an artist who builds nations through imagination.

Chairman of FICCI AVGC-XR

RK Chand

Founder, Astra Studios | Secretary, ABAI – AVGC XR Industry Association 24 years in Animation, VFX, Gaming & Entertainment; led teams at The Mill & Technicolor India; produced VFX for Antman, RRR, Pinocchio, Netflix Vikings & more. Co-founded Astra Studios, a Hombale-backed media startup.

Industry Leader and Innovator

Sanjay Khimesara

Visual Media & Design Education Administrator; President of ASIFA India; Board Member of ASIFA International; Engineer & MBA with 30 years in the Creative Economy; mentored 1M+ youth; Create in India Challenge Partner; Governing Board Member with MESC, FICCI AVGC Forum & PHDCCI; Founder of pioneering institutes with students contributing to Oscar & National Award-winning projects.

Industry Leader and Innovator

Dr. Mohit Soni

A visionary leader who has redefined the creative skilling landscape of India. With over two decades of experience in marketing, business development, and institution building, Dr. Soni currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) — the apex body driving skill development under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and NSDC. A dynamic strategist and nation-builder, Dr. Soni has been instrumental in building and revitalizing some of India’s leading creative education brands including Picasso Animation College, Frameboxx, Ideacount, and the Indian Institute of Creative Skills (IICS). Under his leadership, MESC has upskilled over 500,000 professionals, partnered with 300+ institutions, and showcased India’s creative excellence at Cannes, Dubai Expo, and WorldSkills. Recipient of the Honorary Doctorate from Stanford University, the Dadasaheb Phalke Foundation Award, and the CEO with Highest Quality Award, Dr. Soni continues to champion the vision of making India a global creative superpower — where skill, innovation, and imagination shape the future of work.

CEO, Media & Entertainment Skills Council

Dhimant Vyas

A renowned Animation Film Designer and Professor of Practice at IDC, IIT Bombay, with extensive experience across the animation, gaming, and creative industries. Formerly the Senior Art Director at Zynga Games India, Dhimant has collaborated with leading global studios, including the Oscar-winning Aardman Animation Ltd., UK, contributing to acclaimed projects such as Shaun the Sheep, Creature Comforts, and Purple & Brown. An alumnus of the National Institute of Design (NID), he also created the iconic title sequence for Taare Zameen Par. A versatile artist skilled in stop motion, experimental animation, fine arts, and illustration, Dhimant has worked across films, advertising, EdTech, and gaming. A respected jury member at international film festivals, he has received multiple accolades, including the 2022 Ram Mohan Award for Excellence in Animation, honoring his lasting contributions to Indian animation.

Animation Film Director

Charuvi Agarwal

Charuvi Agrawal (b. 1983, Delhi) is an award-winning animation filmmaker, immersive artist, and founder of Charuvi Design Labs. Blending mythology, design, and cutting-edge technology, her work spans acclaimed films, public art, and large-scale immersive experiences. She co-created The Legend of Hanuman (Disney+ Hotstar), one of India’s most celebrated animated series, and her monumental art installations have been showcased at NGMA and beyond. Twice featured in the Limca Book of Records, she chairs PHDCCI AVGC, mentors global creators, and serves on prestigious juries. Her practice transforms tradition into visionary storytelling, inspiring audiences across film, art, and immersive culture.

Filmmaker, Artist, Founder @ Charuvi Design Labs

Shefali Desai

Artist & Designer with a Masters from Singapore; 12 years experience; designed for Starbucks, KFC, and Sony; award-winner; Design Educator.

Entrepreneur, Designer and Educator

Sathish Narayanan

Sathish Narayanan grew up in a family rooted in art, education, and entrepreneurship — where creativity and discipline shaped his journey from a young age. Beginning his artistic path at 10, he has built over 32 years of experience across the Creative Arts and Media & Entertainment industry, spanning advertising, animation, VFX, VR/AR, and creative education. He has held senior leadership roles at Penta Media Graphics, Animasia Singapore, MAAC, Reliance Big Animation, and JAIN University. In 2015, he founded Design Media and Edutainment Solutions Pvt. Ltd., merging storytelling with innovation to transform creative education. His work has earned honors such as the Grand Jury Award at the New York Film Festival, FICCI BAF Awards, and a Citation from the Ministry of Skills. As India’s Coach at the World Skills Olympics, he continues to mentor young creators toward global excellence.

Co Founder and Creative Producer AVGC Skill Pvt Ltd

Aditya Singhal

Aditya Singhal is Executive Producer & Director at Charuvi Design Labs (CDL.tv), Gurugram, where he oversees 3D animation shows for TV and short films, and development of immersive experiences in museums, experience centres and galleries. He also serves as Principal at The Knowledge Company, leading new-business development across retail and textiles. Earlier, he managed sales at Reebok India, general management at Avensa Chemicals, and founded IML Jeans, a luxury bespoke D2C label. Aditya holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech, US and an MBA from ESADE, Spain. He writes on business, history, design, and popular culture.

Executive Producer & Director @ Charuvi Design Labs

Vichar BN

Vichar, a Mysore-born artist now in Bangalore, discovered his love for art early and mastered sculpting with an MFA from the Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts, even serving as a sculptor for the Maharaja of Mysore. His quest for new creative frontiers led him from traditional art to computer graphics, where he has spent over two decades at Technicolor, shaping projects across styles and media. Also an illustrator, designer, and traditional sculptor, Vichar finds inspiration in history, ancient mysteries, sci-fi, and numismatics. He believes every form holds hidden art—waiting for the artist to uncover it.

Art Director @ Technicolor Games

Moon Arun

Self-taught concept artist; founded two design firms; led workshops; leads HOWWL; advisor to Motionvillee; judged at AIFACS; industry influencer.

Director Howwl Design

Emanuel Maia

Dean of innovation and technology at Gus Global Services, former dean of school of creative practice at pearl Academy, total creative experience of more than 25 years.

Senior Director of Innovation & Technology, GUS

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