A Cinematographer's Educational Odyssey

Teaching has been my calling for the past 20 years, but my journey to becoming an educator was anything but conventional. It’s a story of unexpected detours, resilience, and a deep passion for learning and teaching.

After completing my graduation in Chemistry with honors, I was determined to pursue an MSc in Chemistry. However, life had other plans. With some external pressures guiding me, I enrolled in a Cinematography course at the Biju Pattanaik Film & Television Institute of Odisha (BPFTIO), Cuttack. Though it wasn’t my first choice, I approached the course with determination and graduated in 2000.

Shortly after, I got my first break at Doordarshan Kendra, Allahabad, as a production assistant. My work involved videography for both indoor and outdoor programs. Over six months, I gained invaluable practical experience in the field. But my journey with DDK Allahabad was short-lived as I left to take up a new challenge in academia.

In August 2001, I joined IASE, MJP Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, as a visiting faculty member. I taught postgraduate students of Journalism and Mass Communication, as well as Electronic Journalism. Though the position was contractual, it sparked a love for teaching. By February 2002, I returned to my hometown, Cuttack, and joined AB Visual Production House. There, I worked on ad films, Odia album songs, and teleserials as a cinematographer for DDK, Bhubaneswar.

In November 2002, another opportunity beckoned: I joined the Global Institute of Convergent Studies as a photography faculty member. After a year and a month there, I briefly worked at Radiance Media before landing a pivotal role in February 2004 at the Film Institute of eMITS, Lucknow.

At eMITS, I taught photography, videography, and direction under the mentorship of Chidanand Production. Simultaneously, I worked on short telefilms based on Munshi Premchand’s stories, directed by Dr. Girish Bihari Saxena, the former DGP of Uttar Pradesh. My association with media education deepened as I began teaching undergraduate and postgraduate media students at the sister institute of IISE, which was affiliated with MCRP University, Bhopal. It was here that my passion for teaching media students truly flourished.

Switching from a technical field like cinematography to a full-time academic career was a significant transition. While at FIeMITS, I completed my master’s degree and pursued an MPhil in Journalism & Mass Communication from Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad. My academic aspirations didn’t end there—I eventually earned my PhD in Journalism & Mass Communication, solidifying my commitment to the field.

In October 2018, I joined Amity University, Chhattisgarh, as a faculty member despite not yet holding a PhD. My 15 years of teaching experience and an MPhil in J&MC were my assets, but the lack of a doctorate was a challenge. Balancing my teaching responsibilities with the rigorous demands of completing my PhD was no easy feat, but with the blessings of my parents and the Almighty, I successfully defended my PhD in March 2024.

Even with two decades of teaching experience, my journey as an educator feels like it’s just beginning. I believe that for a teacher to truly inspire, they must first be a dedicated learner. My future plans revolve around exploring new avenues in media and education, continuously evolving to meet the needs of the ever-changing academic landscape.

Teaching, learning, and discovering new things are the guiding mantras of my life. As I look back on this journey filled with struggles and triumphs, I’m reminded that every challenge has only strengthened my resolve to keep moving forward. The path ahead is filled with possibilities, and I’m ready to embrace them all with the same passion that brought me here.