Today we’d like to introduce you to KANISHKA AGGARWAL.
Hi KANISHKA, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
It’s tough to summarize because I genuinely feel like everything in my life has been preparing me for where I am today and continues to prepare me for where I want to go. My earliest memories are of watching films with my mother, who was a total movie buff. That love for cinema started early, but the turning point came when I was unexpectedly cast as the lead in a musical at my boarding school directed by the acclaimed Ratna Pathak Shah. I had auditioned for a background role and didn’t even check the lead list when results came out. So when my name wasn’t on the supporting list, I cried! Hours later, my friends told me I’d actually been cast as the main lead. I thought they were joking. But they weren’t and that experience changed my life.
Despite my passion for performing, I came from a traditional Indian family where academics were prioritized. The only “creative” education I could convince my family to accept was a degree in fashion design from NIFT. Ironically, it turned out to be an intense and rigorous program with no time to just “dabble” in acting! But that education shaped my visual storytelling profoundly and still informs my approach to directing today.
Eventually, I packed my bags and moved to Mumbai, India’s city of dreams, where I knew no one but instantly felt at home. After training in screen acting, I began working as an acting coach under Atul Mongia, which gave me a deep, hands-on look at the Indian film industry. I worked closely with actors and directors to shape performances and that’s when my love for writing and directing truly began to blossom.
When the pandemic hit, I found myself craving deeper creative growth. That’s when I applied to Chapman University’s MFA in Film Directing and got in! It was a huge leap, leaving behind everything I’d built, but I was excited to step into a global space and grow as an artist. I’ve just completed my thesis film and am now on the journey to share it with the world.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I started out wanting to be an actor, but very quickly I realized I loved everything about filmmaking – the sets, the chaos, the teamwork, the storytelling. So I threw myself into whatever opportunities I could find. I ushered actors, assisted directors, helped out with costumes, literally anything that let me be on set. I’ve always craved growth, and being part of the process, no matter how small the role, made me feel alive. That energy eventually led me to acting coaching and something about it struck a deep chord in me.
While auditioning, I must’ve given over 800 to 1,000 auditions. That might sound like a lot, but in the Indian film industry, it’s a fairly modest number. Rejections were constant, sometimes daily, even. But over time, those rejections built something invaluable: thick skin, creative discipline, and emotional resilience. I did a few short films and ads, but more than anything, I learned how to keep showing up. I wasn’t afraid of failure anymore. Rejection didn’t scare me, in fact, it became part of my rhythm.
Coaching actors became more than a job, it became a form of creative expression. I work closely with actors and directors, especially during the development phase of a project. I study scripts, break down scenes, help actors discover emotional logic, and craft nuanced character arcs based on their unique strengths. I’m still an acting coach today, and I love it. That ongoing practice has deeply shaped me as a director. It’s made me actor-focused, emotionally precise, and attuned to the subtle rhythms of performance. I want to continue working with actors helping them explore their emotional terrain while refining my own storytelling voice.
Then came the leap to the U.S. for my MFA in Film Directing, a decision rooted in a desire to grow in a new, global space. I thought I’d adjust easily, but the cultural shift was far more intense than I anticipated. Everything felt unfamiliar from the food, the smells, the social rhythms to the rhythm of conversations. It was disorienting in ways I couldn’t have predicted. I didn’t realize how deeply rooted I was in the texture and tempo of India until I was completely outside of it. The chaos I once took for granted suddenly felt comforting. I found myself missing it deeply.
In many ways, it felt like starting over again. I was building from scratch in a space where I was visibly and audibly different; my skin, my accent, my references. But I leaned into what I could offer: my love for collaboration, my instinctive understanding of people, relentless hard work, emotional honesty and the values I carry from home. Things like loyalty to fellow artists, sincere feedback rooted in care, a deep desire to grow not just as an individual but within a creative community. I try to bring Indian values of friendship, commitment, and collective spirit into every room I walk into because I believe great art comes from people who are constantly enriching each other.
Now that I’ve completed my thesis film, I look back with gratitude. Every rejection, every uncomfortable moment, every fresh start – it all added up to something. I feel grounded in who I am and I carry that into every project I take on with pride, purpose, and a lot of heart.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a filmmaker and acting coach who creates psychologically deep and nuanced films. I love exploring difficult relationships, hidden truths, and the raw, often messy parts of our true selves. My stories tend to focus on tough decisions and pivotal life stages like childhood when kids start picking up on social cues and adult conversations, early teenage years navigating complex environments, breaking free from toxic relationships, and the conflicted mindsets of aging parents. I’m fascinated by opposing forces within people and relationships, and how these tensions shape our growth and identity.
I am proud to have contributed as an acting coach to several major films and shows. Notably, Agra by Kanu Behl premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and received a five-minute standing ovation at the Directors’ Fortnight section. Additionally, The Rapist by Aparna Sen won the Kim Jiseok Award at the 26th Busan International Film Festival in 2021 . These experiences have deepened my understanding of performance and storytelling, and working on such acclaimed projects motivates me to keep pushing boundaries.
What I’m most proud of is my MFA thesis film, Katti. We faced the unique challenge of shooting a film set in India but filming entirely in Los Angeles. The team worked incredibly hard to create an authentic Indian environment. I was very particular about every frame, but more than that, it was about the people. So many came together to make this happen, it truly takes a village to make a movie. We needed Hindi-speaking women who could sing and dance confidently to bring the spirit of an Indian celebration, and we found them everywhere from restaurants to the streets of Artesia. Casting notices went out across the U.S., and actors flew in from places like DC, Virginia, New York, San Diego, and the Bay Area, all volunteering their time to support the film. I’m forever grateful to every actor and crew member who made this possible.
We worked with minors as lead actors, navigated limited shoot hours, and managed a large, dedicated set. It was hard work fueled by passion, collaboration, and a shared belief in the story. That collective effort is what truly defines the film.
What sets me apart is my multidisciplinary background from fashion design to acting and coaching to filmmaking which gives me a broad, empathetic approach to storytelling. I combine this with a strong interest in human psychology and neuro-linguistic techniques, helping actors reach emotional truth and crafting stories that resonate deeply. At the heart of my work is a true belief in community building and collaboration creating spaces where artists can support, challenge, and inspire one another to grow.
Additionally, I bring a solution-oriented mindset to every project – an essential skill in filmmaking where anything can fall apart at any moment. Being able to think quickly and find creative solutions ensures that the story gets told the way it deserves.
I also feel I’m only just beginning this journey and have so much more to learn. Every project pushes me to grow, and I’m excited to keep evolving both as an artist and as a collaborator.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
From the time I was little, lost in the magical world of my grandmother’s bedtime stories, to the many people I’ve met through training, work, and life, my journey has been deeply shaped by those around me.
First, my family. Even though they may not fully understand the world I work in, they have supported me in every decision I’ve made. Their quiet trust has always been a foundation I’ve leaned on. My parents, my sister Lovishka, and brother Rahul have all stood by me with unwavering love. My husband, Sanat Chindalia, has shown an incredible belief in me one that gives me the strength to take creative risks and keep going even when things get difficult. He’s always by my side, encouraging me, reminding me of my voice, and making space for my dreams.
I’m also incredibly grateful to my parents-in-law, who have embraced me fully as part of the family. As someone pursuing an unconventional and unpredictable career, their acceptance, understanding, and constant encouragement mean more to me than words can express. Their support has allowed me to grow not only as an artist but as a person.
My best friends, Mohini Gupta and Nikita Bajoria, are my constant anchors. No matter where I am in the world, they somehow always show up emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes even physically to remind me that I’m not alone in this.
I’ve also had the privilege of working with extraordinary mentors. Kishore Namit Kapoor was one of the first to open me up to a life of self-awareness and personal growth. His teachings gave me tools that I continue to use through every creative and emotional challenge.
Atul Mongia played a huge role in shaping my artistic journey not only by guiding me toward high self-awareness but also by giving me the platform to discover my love for acting coaching. He believed in me before I fully believed in myself, and that changed everything.
Ratna Pathak Shah, who directed the first play I ever acted in, made me feel truly seen. Through that process, I discovered a kind of emotional and creative depth that made me fall in love with acting forever.
At Chapman University, I’ve had deeply transformative mentorships with Rob Bailey and Nana Greenwald, who helped me understand the filmmaker in me. They created a safe and rigorous space where I could challenge myself while staying true to my vision. Their guidance helped me make the best film I could, and the lessons I learned from them will stay with me for life.
I also feel very lucky to have been mentored and supported by Stephen Galloway, the Dean of the School. He’s been incredibly approachable, generous with his time, and consistently encouraging. His belief in my work and his open-door attitude made me feel seen and supported from the very start. He’s been a quiet yet constant force through my time at Chapman.
To me, success is never a solo story. It’s the sum of all the kindness, honesty, patience, and encouragement others have offered along the way. And I carry that gratitude into every collaboration with deep respect for the people who helped me become who I am.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanishkaaggarwall
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanishka-aggarwal-05831555
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9809441/
Image Credits
Nic Carceres
Shih-Hsuan Kuo
Aman Fankaar
