Bio Note

As a media person and film maker with over two decades of experience I have had the opportunity to work
on a plethora of subjects ranging from religion to society, anthropology to environment, from corporate to
the development sector and social issues. I have worked with both domestic and international networks and
production houses, and have gained considerable experience and valuable insight from these interactions.
Foremost among them is the understanding of the multiplicity of audiences that one must target in order to
succeed. During my years of film making I have had the opportunity to traverse the length and breadth of
India - from Ladakh to Lumding; and Srinagar to Srirangapatna, I have travelled on, and off the beaten path,
as well as in remote areas of the North East. My ability to speak more than six languages has indeed been an
asset at such times.

During the period of my work I have headed teams of varying sizes, some with a dozen people, while others
nearly a hundred strong. My teams have been multi ethnic and of diverse cultures; and I successfully formed
cohesive groups to achieve the objective of work, often over projects lasting several months. This has given a
unique approach to my work; to be able to integrate several perspectives into a single succinct piece of work.

For two decades I have been communicating various subjects, issues and ideas, to my audiences via the
medium of film and television; through images and well-crafted scripts. With the success, confidence and
experience I have gained; I feel I am now in a position to take on responsibility at any level and manage it
with efficacy and artistic ability. Any form of communication is of great consequence, and forms a critical
instrument in achieving goals. I am of the firm conviction that creativity is useful in the world, and can be
used as an expression to advocate or highlight any necessity.

The appended resume bears testimony to my experience, proficiencies and knowledge.

 Harshawardhan Varma

|+91 790.639.8226 | harshvarma99@gmail.com| P 120, Chittranjan Park, New Delhi 110017 |

https://www.linkedin.com/in/harshawardhan-varma-b6934b2/

Professional Synopsis

- A competent Communications professional with a creative disposition offering over 25 years’ experience
in filmmaking and television programming, as Executive Producer, Director, Line Producer, Anchor and
Script Writer.
- Specialized in the production, scripting and direction of documentaries, video films, tele-films, television
programmes, current affairs and television series on a wide array of subjects, many of which were
selected for national / international screening.
- Holds the distinction of producing & directing programmes/ documentaries on a plethora of subjects
such as Religion, Anthropology, Travel, Wild Life, North East Communities, Women’s Emancipation,
Rural Development, and society, etc.
- Demonstrated excellence in filming news and current affairs programmes and documentaries during
difficult law and order situations, tough physical and mental environment.
- Endowed with a keen business sense and an intimate knowledge of all aspects of film production and
direction.

 Skill Set encompasses: artistic & creative ability, storytelling skills, excellent written and spoken
communication, excellent scripting abilities & research, good decision-making ability, interpersonal &
team management skills, ability to motivate people & deliver under pressure, team leader with calculated
delegation, six spoken languages

 Core Strengths include : direction, filming, scripting, creative inputs, idea conceptualization and
execution, audience orientation, market understanding, planning/ budgeting, resource management,
research, communications

Work Experience

1999-Present Executive Producer at Rex Mundi, UK in India, and Freelance Filmmaker.

Guest Faculty - Apeejay Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication,
New Delhi.

2015- 2017 Executive Producer and Creative Head for UK 07 Films; a company based
out of Dehradun, that is involved in the making of films; documentaries,
360 films, TVCs, corporate films, testimonials, animation, music and jingles,
and internal communications.

Created films and scripts for Audi, BMW, Lufthansa, Chevrolet, Snapdeal,
Monster, OLX and others. Done human interest mini documentaries on
the One Rank One Pension issue and others.

As EP and CH, responsible for ideation, scripting, directing. In essence,

from creation to the final execution, and client interaction.
Aug’96-Sep'99 Consultant and Executive Producer, with Television International (TVI),
that belonged to the Business India Group. Also undertook conceptualizing
and scripting a Travel and Food show in collaboration with the Indian
Railways on places and cuisines of India. The story line and concept I
created was the first of its kind in India and unique in its execution.

May’95-July’96 Producer / Director, Television Bazaar (TVB), the Tele wing of the Ananda
Bazaar Group, producers of the Onida Pinnacle Award winning
programme, Business Breakfast. Anchored by Jairam Ramesh (well-known
economist and present Member of Parliament)
North East Update: A current affairs series on the North East of India.
Anchored by Sanjoy Hazarika, journalist.
Produced close to 100 stories on a wide range of subjects such as
indigenous perspectives, tribal issues, rights of traditional societies,
development and the changing face of India etc.

Jun’91-April’95 Director/ Script Writer/ Editor/ Freelance Filmmaker

Mar’89-Apr’91 Manager-Projects/ Editor, Tibet House, New Delhi (Cultural Centre of the
Tibetan Government in Exile, directly controlled by the Private Office of
the Dalai Lama)

Spearheaded domestic and international cultural projects such

as international seminars, translations of scriptures (especially those
prescribed and authorized by the Dalai Lama). Main interaction with
foreign agencies, funders and the development sector.

1984-1987 / 88 Freelance Photographer

Executed assignments for Parle Exports, Co-Optex, Kerala Tourism
Development Corporation, Trivandrum Titanium Products, and Indian
Space Research Organization, apart from various News and allied
assignments.

Noteworthy Credits

News, Current affairs and Video Films Produced and Directed (selection only)

 `The Kashmir Mosaic’ : A 13-part Current affairs documentary on the strife in Kashmir. The series
tells the story of Kashmir from a unique perspective through the ages; special focus on pre-partition,
secession and the Golden Age under the ‘Lion of Kashmir’ - Sheikh Abdullah, the first Chief Minister,
to his downfall at the hands of Bakshi Gulam Mohamed. The film further looks at the birth of the
youth movement under Yaseen Mallik to its hijack by cross border fundamentalists and others; and
finally, the movement’s loss of direction, to be reduced to cross border politics. This documentary was
filmed in extremely critical and life threatening conditions, with special protection from various
regiments of the Indian National Army. It was telecast on DD several times as a window to the reality
  Rural Development & Women : A documentary for the Department of Rural Development,
Government of India, to demonstrate the hardships of life for women in rural areas, and further, their
resilience to work for the betterment of their communities.

 UNICEF on Urban Basic Services : A film dealing with basic civic amenities in metropolitan India
and the struggle, at times, for the less privileged citizen to coexist in a realm if inequalities.

 UNICEF and Department of Rural Development : A series of 3 films for the Government of India,
on the Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas.

 ‘Pabla -The Village of Widows’ : In the Angul district of Odisha, this documentary told the story of
an entire village bereft of a male population. It highlighted the perseverance of an all-female rural
community to strive for economic sustenance and social welfare. Produced for Doordarshan, it was
telecast several times on the official channel of India to create awareness for this unfortunate yet
unrelenting group.

 History of Arms in India : This film traced the evolution of weapons in India, from the Stone Age to
the early 19th century; through various eras of cultural and political influence.
This was chosen for screening at International Video & Film Festival in Trivandrum, Kerala in 1995.

Telefilms/ Corporate Films Directed and Produced

 Corporate Film : A film for Audi, along with Virat Kohli and Internationally renowned Indian race car
drivers Aditya Patel and Ameya Wawalkar to demonstrate the abilities of the car manufacturer, as well
as the unique user experience offered by the company.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZi3Q3P7SCM,www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL2p7byV9BY,www.youtube.com/watch?v
=VqIZbLL612o

 Corporate Film : A film for BMW along with Sachin Tendulkar for the release of their latest ‘M Series’
of cars for the Indian market.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyg6rIj-f6s&feature=youtu.be

 Corporate Film : A short film for Porsche India, for the launch of the new ‘718 Cayman’ in India.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1uOO_6V8b0

 Corporate Film : A short film for BMW TV, highlighting the automotive luxury available in the new ‘7
Series’.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALcTdz9Tsuc

 Corporate Film : A short ad-film for Skoda India, for the launch of their new model ‘Rapide’.

 Corporate Film : A film on the ‘Start-Up Expo 2016’; a Luftahnsa and TiE Initiative.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8Ndxfr8t1U, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8Ndxfr8t1U

 Corporate Film : A film for Lufthansa for their ‘Cook & Fly Contest’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_nNdlApTYc

 DAGAR : a 60-minute Telefilm in Hindi on Rural Technologies, for the Consortium On Rural
Technology, (CORT ), an NGO involved in the dissemination of rural technology. Screened all over
 India and other Asian countries, within the NGO sector. This telefilm was dubbed into several regional
languages of India.

 Corporate Film : A film produced for the Research & Development Department, GSK, India.

 Gandhi : Relevance To The 21st Century : A 60 minute film for the Gandhi Peace Foundation,
Delhi and The Institute of Gandhian Studies, to propagate and disseminate Gandhi's philosophy both
nationally and internationally.

Documentaries

 ‘Dammed but Not Damned’ : A full length documentary for the CATO Institute, Washington DC,
USA, on the oustees of the Sardar Sarovar Dam project. The film showcases the successful
rehabilitation of the Tribals in the Narmada district, and exposes the allegations of its detractors as well
as the activists of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA). The film goes on to show the prosperity and
the changed lives of the thousands of families living in rehabilitation areas. In post-production.

 ‘24 Hours’ : A 15 minute film for the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, India, on the legal
process involved in any case booked under rape, in the Indian Penal Code. It traces the journey of
police action, the investigative process, judicial sanction and rehabilitation through real stories of
victims, interaction with senior members of the Indian Police Services and NGOs.
www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=21&v=D9VWaZxHtdQ

 ‘Right to Information’ : A 3 part series for the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, India, on the
Right To Information Act, and its use in society.

 Aajevika and Nanhi Kali : Two 10 minute documentaries for an international NGO on their
various programmes and projects for livelihood, community building, regional cooperation, and
participative rights in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

 ‘Quest’ : A 90 minute film (theatre release) made by the internationally acclaimed anchor and former
marine, Bruce Parry from the United Kingdom. Bruce Parry has spent more than a decade travelling
the globe for the award winning BBC series AMAZON, ARCTIC, and TRIBE. After having lived
with more than 20 indigenous groups and holy men across several cultures, ethnic groups and
geographical locations; Bruce still felt the thirst for more knowledge and an even greater one for
spirituality. The film is a quest by Bruce on religious practices in different parts of the world. They
include the Ayahuasca consuming Shamans of the Amazon, the Kogi of Columbia, the Penan of
Borneo, and the Naga Sadhus of India. I was Consultant and Line Producer for the Indian leg of this
project that was filmed from December 2012 to March 2013. It was titled: Tawai : A voice from the
forest, and released in 2017 worldwide.

 ‘Pilgrimage to the Cave in the Snow’ : A 90 minute documentary on Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, a
western Tibetan Buddhist Nun for the last four decades. The film showcased her performance of
austere practices in severe conditions. Living in a small high altitude cave, in the snow ridden Lahaul
mountains for 16 years, this tells the story of her return to the cave she lived in after 22 years.

 Kumbh Mela - A Spiritual Journey : A 60 minute film on the 2010 Kumbh Mela at Haridwar, for the
Department of Information, Government of Uttarakhand. Though the Kumbh is largely seen as a
Hindu festival, it has over the years undergone a change, metamorphosing into a Festival of the World.
Life at the Kumbh is a unique combination of various aspects that culminate in the opening of one’s
mind to a greater power. The film was produced in both English and Hindi.
 Ganga – A Journey Down the River : A 30 minute film on the river Ganga for the Department of
Tourism, Government Of Uttarakhand, that explores the origins and the special status enjoyed by this
sacred body of water in the minds and hearts of Indians; and many, from across the world. The story of
Ma Ganga is the story of India, and how the river has spawned an irreplaceable civilization. To top it
all; those living on her banks preserve a distinctive lifestyle even in modern day India. The film was
produced in both English and Hindi.

 ‘Quo Vadis: Elephas Maximas’ : A film on elephant-human Conflict in the Rajaji National Park, in
northern India, a jewel in the crown of animal specific protected areas. This 820 km park is part of the
Shiwalik Range Biosphere, and is one of the 11 designated elephant sanctuaries in India. The past
decades have seen an escalation in elephant-human skirmishes and the decimation of both forests and
herds. The decline of the elephants and their habitat, has caused grave concern to the very existence of
these herds. Many fear that the day may not be far, when the Asiatic Elephant is wiped out of its habitat
in northern India. This film studies the problem and its fall out in detail.

 The Ghats of Varanasi : A 3 part documentary for a production house from Canada; the film shows
the various Ghats in their rawness, be it the famous burning Ghat of Manikarnika or the docile bathing
Ghat at Kedar or Dhashashwamedh. There is also a special focus on the various forms of architecture and
centuries of heritage within the buildings along the Ganges.

 ‘Inside Nirvana - Kumbh Mela’ : A 52 minute documentary commissioned by the National

Geographical Channel for its Inside series, this film goes behind the scenes to the control centres where
mass logistics and planning takes place, bringing order to the chaos of what is the largest gathering of
humanity on the planet. In order to support over 100 million pilgrims who attend the world's most
colossal spiritual event, it takes incredible planning and organization of the Mela committee. Besides the
various religious sects and Akharas, the film showcases the spectacular nature of mankind’s connection
with God. Produced in January of 2007, it was televised along with other subjects done by Inside Series,
such as Inside Haj, Inside The Vatican, Inside The Rolling Stones.
https://vimeo.com/65623152

 ‘Bnei Menashe - The Lost Tribe of Israel’ : A 60 minute documentary made in October 2004 in
association with the Columbia College, Chicago, Illinois, USA. The second part of this project was
filmed in Israel early 2005. The film created ripples in the USA and Israel, and among tribes in the
North East of India. The film has a played a major role in the recognition of the Bnei Menashe by the
Israeli government, who have agreed to take back the lost tribe of Menashe. The process for which has
begun with the authorities having sent a Rabbi to oversee the process. This people oriented lifestyle
film was released in the USA in late October of 2006.

 ‘Diaspora in Refuge’ : A 30-minute film for Prasar Bharati and the Public Service Broadcast Trust on
the Tibetan Community in India. The film looks at the lives of several people within the Tibetan
community, lay people, monks, officials, and above all the Dalai Lama himself; the theme revolves
around their migration to India, assimilation with the local population and interaction and acceptance
within the Indian community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJqLcyGzo-A
Screened at two festivals in India in December 2002 and February 2003.

 A documentary on the North Eastern States of India, for the National Foundation for India. It
showcased the various tribes, indigenous populations and ethnic groups of the area, as well as how they
have mingled with local communities to weave a unique social fabric that can only be found in the
North East.

 ‘The Slaughter of Sariska’ : A 30-minute documentary on the illegal mining of marble within the
Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan. Filmed in the year 1993, the film spoke of the vanishing tiger, that
later became a reality in the early 2000s. This documentary was chosen for screening at the following
places:
 - International Video and Film festival, Trivandrum 1995.
- World Wildlife Fund, New Delhi.
- NGOs involved in the Sariska Bachao and Aravali Bachao Andolans, led by Rajendra Singh
- Winner : Magsaysay Award, by the Tarun Bharat Sangh, Alwar, Rajasthan.

 Pilot project on the Monasteries of the Himalayas : This is a precursor to the making of an
international series on Buddhist Monasteries that exist in the Himalayan and sub Himalayan region of
India.

Television Programmes Directed, Produced and Designed

 ‘BUDGET 99’ : Conceptualised and Produced a special for Television International, TVI of the
Business India group. Invited selected economists and analysts for the ½ hour three-part show, apart
from creating the set and logo for this show.

 ‘Sunday News Night’ : Conceptualised and Produced a special one hour Sunday News Bulletin for
TVI. The main thrust was one of its kind. There were stories on ‘news you could use’, weekend getaways,
and cuisine. This was the first time that News was given a new format, going beyond the confines of
regular news.

 ‘Metropolis’ : A mini documentary series produced by TVI, that captured the soul of the Metro,
its moods, its glamour, its traumas, its deceit, its bare truths, but more importantly its people. The
programme also dealt with issues and problems that relate to all of us. Also served as the anchor.

 ‘The North East Update’ : A 30-minute anchor based Tele-magazine, with a current focus, on the
Seven States of North East India. As its Director, I designed and packaged the programme for
Television Bazaar (TVB). Executed over 63 stories for this programme and was telecast on DD-1 and
DD/CNN; anchored by Sanjoy Hazarika, former, Bureau Chief, New York Times.

 ‘Business Breakfast’ : Onida Pinnacle Award winning programme, as a Producer with Television
Bazaar (TVB), the Tele wing of the Ananda Bazaar Group, it was anchored by one of India’s leading
economists Jairam Ramesh, who is presently a Member of Parliament. While working with Business
Breakfast, I produced over 50 stories on a wide range of subjects.

Television Series

 ‘Kumbh Mela - The Greatest Show on Earth’ : Line Producer for the BBC ASIA Award Winning
series, made for Channel 4, UK. Also served as Consultant, Director, Member of Editorial Committee,
and Director of Photography in sensitive shoots. This series won following laurels and awards:
- The Premier Award: Religious Broadcasting Award 2000/2001 - For the Best Religious programme
on British Television over the last two years.
- The Royal Television Society (RTS) Crafts and Design Award, for the Best Multi Camera Shoot.
- Apart from these 2 awards, the series was also nominated for three more awards; the International
Emmy, The One World Award, and the EMCA award.
The series began with a one hour documentary that was an introduction to the cast of characters who were preparing for the
Kumbh; Indian Holy men and their devotees, astrologers, politicians, tourists, the police and the men in charge of it all. The
 8 minute films were shot and edited on the day of broadcast at our studios at the Kumbh, and then uplinked by satellite
(provided and manned by ITN) from our campsite, on the banks of the Ganges, to the UK in time for the 7.50 screening
on Channel 4. In all 24, episodes were beamed out of the Sangam at Allahabad. This was a pioneering effort in the
history of television.

Research Projects

 Researched the Indian leg of a project being carried out by the eminent scientist from
Cambridge, Dr. Rupert Sheldrake - to do with the 'Feeling of Being Stared At', in both humans and
animals. This project is also being researched in the USA, UK and parts of Africa. The findings are to
be collated and made into a film.

 Ongoing Research on pre Aryan Tribe living in the central Himalayas. The tribe is known for its
primitive and animistic beliefs and cults, witchcraft, magic and polyandry. This research will eventually
culminate into a book that will focus on the interfusion of primitive religious practices with Buddhism
and Hinduism.

Other Distinctions & Involvements

 Former Member, Steering Committee : Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board, Government of

Uttarakhand, India.

 Member: Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia (FCC).

 Founder and Chairman : Foundation for Environment Education and Learning; an NGO involved in
the conservation of the Asiatic elephant and the containment of animal human conflict.

 Former Member : Managing Committee : Friends of the Doon Society (NGO for conservation)

 Member : Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi

 Guest Faculty : Apeejay Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication, New Delhi.

Educational Credentials

1985 Diploma (Colour Techniques and Processing)

1985 PG Diploma, SCL, Madras.
1983 B.A. Hons. (English)

Language Proficiency : English, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi. Working
knowledge of some others.
Travels : Every state of India - to most of the far flung corners of even Ladakh and the North East.
Abroad to the US and Europe.