The acclaimed filmmaker of Kannappa and Mahabharat shares cinematic wisdom at SoFMCA Orientation 2025, urging students to tell rooted Indian stories for global screens
Bengaluru, August 4, 2025: Renowned filmmaker Mukesh Kumar Singh, best known for directing Kannappa (2025) and the popular Mahabharat TV series (2013), engaged with aspiring filmmakers at RV University’s School of Film, Media and Creative Arts (SoFMCA) during a compelling session on cinematic storytelling held as part of the university’s Students’ Orientation Programme 2025.
Themed “Storytelling for the Screen: How to Tell Indian Stories for a Global Audience,” the session offered students deep insights into cinematic language, character development, and the craft of building emotionally resonant narratives for a global viewership.
Addressing the young storytellers, Mukesh Kumar Singh emphasized the evolving landscape of cinema, stating:“Cinema has this incredible soft power to move people and change how they see the world. With global cinema just a click away, audiences everywhere are hungry for fresh, rooted narratives. It’s our responsibility as filmmakers to craft those with authenticity and care.”He also encouraged students to “embrace short films as a medium to learn, take risks, and make mistakes while refining their voice.”
The session was attended by senior university leaders including Prof. (Dr.) Dwarika Prasad Uniyal, Vice-Chancellor (In-Charge), Prof. (Dr.) Piyush Roy, Dean of SoFMCA, and Prof. (Dr.) Kitty Mukherjee, Assistant Dean, who also shared their perspectives on the role of cinema in cultural storytelling and education.
Highlighting the timeless relevance of classic films and literature, the discussion delved into how understanding human psychology, narrative depth, and cinematic technique can elevate a filmmaker’s craft beyond surface-level storytelling. Students were encouraged to see cinema as a medium of cultural responsibility, capable of reshaping how India is seen by the world.
RV University recently welcomed over 2,000 new students across its eight interdisciplinary schools: Law, Business, Economics and Public Policy, Computer Science and Engineering, Design and Innovation, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Film, Media and Creative Arts, and the School of Continuing Education and Professional Studies. The university also announced plans to expand with a new campus in Nanjangud, Mysore, set to open in 2026.
