Anusha Srinivasan Iyer

Dr. (Hon) Anusha Srinivasan Iyer is a filmmaker and image strategist shaping cinema and perception. Her work bridges storytelling across screen, media and society.

She is an Honorary Governing Council Member of the Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC), Government of India, and Chief Mentor at the Indian Institute of Creative Skills (IICS).

Honoured with two doctorates in Brand Custodianship and Animal Welfare & Environmental Education, she is the Founder of Naarad PR & Image Strategists, one of India's leading storytelling-led PR and image strategy firms, working across films, OTT, corporates, institutions and cultural movements. Naarad PR & Image Strategists is the recipient of the Economic Times Industry Leader Award in Brand Custodianship, PR & Image Strategisation.

At IICS, she has created and continues to lead one of the world's only integrated courses in journalism, content creation and AI, image strategisation, brand custodianship, public relations and publicity, building not just skills but an ecosystem of thinking professionals aligned with the evolving needs of cinema and media. Her work in education continues to shape future storytellers and media professionals across the country.

As a filmmaker, her work is rooted in socially driven cinema, exploring themes of child rights, human dignity, resilience and environmental consciousness.

She has written, directed and produced the globally acclaimed, award-winning film Saare Sapne Apne Hain (The World in My Dreams)followed by The Wait. Her films have garnered over 125 awards across 151 film festivals worldwide and have travelled across international festival circuits and global juries, engaging audiences across cultures and geographies.

She has multiple films currently in scripting and development stages, with notable projects including A Handful of Earth, Mehek, and 18 Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai, among others.

Her work in cinema and television also spans writing, conceptualisation, publicity, image building and narrative strategy. She has penned and developed shows such as Parchhaiyan for Sahara, Crime Patrol for Sony, and Beauty Mantra for Zee International, along with over 14 Indonesian teleserials with veteran writer Brij Katyal and film collaborations with director Raman Kumar.

Dr. Anusha Srinivasan Iyer has served as a jury and committee member at several prestigious global and Indian film festivals, including the World Culture Film Festival (Los Angeles), Satyajit Ray International Film Festival, Ardeshir Irani International Film Festival, Ayodhya Film Festival, Chambal International Film Festival, Lakecity International Film Festival, Shunyatam International Film Festival, Everest International Film Festival, Kanchenjunga International Film Festival, Samskara International Film Festival, Yatha Katha Film Festival, Festival of Globe (San Francisco), and IFEFA (Australia), among others, contributing her perspective to cinema that explores human resilience, cultural identity and meaningful storytelling.

With a strong foundation in journalism, she has written extensively for leading publications including The Times of India, The Indian Express, Mid-Day, The Asian Age, Ananda Bazaar Patrika, The Telegraph, Punjab Kesari, The Chandigarh Tribune, Little India (USA), Gulf News (Dubai), and Eastern Eye (Dubai), among others. She has also served as Editor of Sindoor in the Gulf and LA Mode, and has contributed as a Consultant Expert for BBC Radio UK and Radiocity, besides holding editorial and leadership roles across print, television and media platforms.

As Founder of Naarad PR & Image Strategists, she has led over 300 image and communication campaigns across films, OTT, television, corporates, institutions and cultural platforms. She has been the narrative force behind some of India's most iconic cultural and cinematic personalities, shaping not just visibility but legacy.

Her work spans cinema, media, education and social impact, creating a rare and powerful intersection of storytelling and change.

Beyond media, Dr. (Hon) Anusha Srinivasan Iyer stands as a fierce voice for animal welfare and an unapologetic egalitarian Earth activist, championing a world where compassion is not selective, but universal. Through initiatives such as Make Earth Green Again Mega Foundation, Pawsitive Farm Sanctuary, Zindagi Helpline and Aham Bramhasmi, she works extensively across environmental sustainability, animal welfare, mental health support, child safety, art preservation and cultural revival.

Her soon-to-be-released books include Kutta, The Unnamed, The Unfinished, When Life Screws You Have an Orgasm, and a Journalism, Brand Custodianship and Image Strategisation compendium, aimed at sharing knowledge and shaping the students of tomorrow.

She has been honoured on multiple occasions for her achievements by leading publications including The Times of India, The Economic Times, Mid-Day, and Inquilab, among others, and has received several recognitions across industry, media and global platforms, including the Economic Times Icon Award, Mid-Day Icon Award, Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation Award, Life's Real Heroes Award, Main Hoon Beti Award, Perfect Achievers' Lifetime Achievement Award, WEE International Award, Egalitarian Earth Warrior Award, and the Economic Times Industry Leader Award in Brand Custodianship, PR & Image Strategisation.

Recognised among India's 111 Most Powerful Women by the Lead India Foundation and the World Book of Records, under the Lead India initiative founded by former President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, her journey reflects a singular belief _ that storytelling, when led by purpose, integrity and compassion, can shape perception, build legacy, and create lasting change.