Meet Nikhilesh Singh | Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikhilesh Singh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikhilesh, what matters most to you?
Being a straight shooter – someone who operates with unwavering honesty, sincerity, and clarity – is the principle that matters most to me. This value has been the cornerstone of my journey from my early days in production to managing complex international projects today.

In an industry often characterized by its complexity and multiple stakeholders, being direct and truthful isn’t just a personal choice – it’s a professional necessity. Whether I’m working on award-winning features like “Not Today” or managing television productions with hundreds of thousands of viewers, maintaining clear, honest communication has been crucial to bringing visions to life successfully.

This principle manifests in every aspect of my work: being upfront about project challenges, maintaining transparency with crews and stakeholders, and ensuring authentic storytelling in our productions. When working on “Cross,” for instance, which dealt with significant social themes and went on to garner multiple awards and nominations, including at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, this commitment to honesty was essential in handling sensitive subject matter with the respect and authenticity it deserved.

I’ve found that being a straight shooter builds the kind of trust that’s essential for creative collaboration. When team members know they’ll get honest feedback and clear direction, it creates an environment where innovative ideas can flourish. This approach has been particularly valuable in managing international co-productions, where clear communication across cultural boundaries is paramount.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets my work apart is my commitment to authenticity across diverse storytelling formats. As a producer who has worked across multiple cultures – from Kenya to India to the US – I bring a unique global perspective to each project. This has been evident in productions like “Not Today,” which received a nomination for the prestigious NETPAC Award for Best Film at the 2020 Kolkata International Film Festival, one of India’s oldest and most respected cinematic events, amongst other laurels.

My journey wasn’t straightforward. Starting with a commerce background, I initially felt like an outsider in the creative world. However, this challenge became an unexpected advantage, giving me the organizational skills crucial for producing.

I’m proud of how my projects have pushed boundaries while maintaining high production standards. “Cross” & “Inspired” have achieved multiple wins and nominations internationally at various film festivals. Further, the accolades have extended to television, with series like “Lady CEO’s Revenge” and “Fated at First Sight” collectively reaching over 800,000 downloads.

The key lesson I’ve learned is that excellence in production requires both technical precision and emotional intelligence. Producing isn’t just about schedules and budgets; it’s about creating an environment where creativity can flourish while maintaining professional standards.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about exploring the intersection of traditional storytelling and emerging technologies. What I want the world to know about my work is that at its core, it’s driven by a commitment to genuine storytelling. Whether it’s a social issue film like “Cross” & “Not Today” or a Fantasy Television series like “The Wolf Queen in Human Guise,” each project represents an opportunity to create something exciting that connects with audiences on a deeper level.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Let me share my perfect week in LA for a visiting friend! We’d start in Santa Monica and Venice, hitting the iconic pier before cruising the Venice Boardwalk to soak in the street performances and beach culture. For lunch, we’d hit up Sunny Blue for these incredible Japanese rice balls. The afternoon would be spent exploring Venice’s artistic side: the murals around Abbott Kinney, the Venice Canals, and maybe a pottery class at Still Life Ceramics.

For our Hollywood day, we’d hike Runyon Canyon for city views, then grab breakfast burritos at Cofax. After checking out Amoeba Music, we’d head to Thai Town for boat noodles at Sapp Coffee Shop. The evening would be split between catching an indie film at the New Beverly Cinema (Tarantino’s vintage movie theater) and live music at the intimate Hotel Cafe.

Downtown LA deserves a full day. Start at Grand Central Market, explore the Last Bookstore and hit The Broad museum (it’s free!). Take a walking tour of the historic Broadway Theater District, then explore the Arts District’s galleries and breweries. End at Tire Shop Taqueria for incredible tacos while watching the sunset paint the downtown skyline.

The cultural side of LA comes alive midweek: catch a concert at the historic Hollywood Bowl, join a free dance class at Dance Arts Academy. For food, venture to San Gabriel Valley for hand-pulled noodles at MIAN, then explore Sunken City in San Pedro for amazing ocean views and street art.

Wrap up the week exploring local neighborhoods: browse Echo Park’s vintage shops, join a pickup basketball game at Venice Beach courts, or take a street art tour in the Arts District. Don’t miss the Historic Filipino Town night market if it’s running, or the Sunday drumming circle at Venice Beach. Food-wise, hit Apple Pan for old-school burgers and join locals for morning coffee at Tropical Cafe in Silver Lake.

Pro tip: Rent a car, and mix up the activities – LA is about both high culture and street culture, pristine beaches and gritty art scenes. The best experiences often come from less obvious spots: small music venues, community events, pop-up art shows, and weekly farmer’s markets. This city rewards those who venture beyond the tourist sites and into its diverse neighborhoods.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout has to begin with my parents & brother, who nurtured my love for storytelling from an early age. Their support gave me the courage to pursue this creative path, even when it meant taking unconventional routes. Their belief in me has been a constant source of strength as I’ve worked to create content that maintains high production quality while staying true to authentic storytelling.

Along this path, I’ve also been fortunate to work with remarkable individuals like Aditya Kripalani and the entire team of “Not Today”. This project was more than just another film production – it was a pivotal moment that reaffirmed my path in this industry. Working with Aditya taught me invaluable lessons about authentic storytelling and the power of cinema to address meaningful social issues. The film’s subsequent success, including winning Best Feature Film at the 2022 New Jersey International Film Festival and the FIPRESCI Award at Bengaluru International Film Festival amongst other acclaim, validated our shared commitment to creating impactful content.

I also must acknowledge my professors and mentors Nick Sivakumaran, Matt Kohnen, Igor Torgeson and Joe Burke during my MFA in Filmmaking at NYFA. Their guidance helped me bridge my commerce background with my creative aspirations, teaching me how to balance the business and artistic aspects of production. This foundation has been crucial in managing successful productions across different formats.

Success in this industry is truly a collaborative effort, and I’m fortunate to have had these incredible influences shaping my journey.

Instagram: @nikhilesh_singh

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilesh-singh/

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12388239/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1

Image Credits
Pranav Mehta, Zhu Zhiyan