Puneet Sira
Puneet Sira | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 3 December 1967 London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Film Director, Producer |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Shaan Sira, Simran Sira |
| Relatives | Vikram Dhillon (brother-in-law) |
| Awards | 2009 SAFF Director Award: Kisaan |
Puneet Sira is a British and Bollywood feature film director and producer who formed The Foundry which is actively developing original IPs in house and producing feature films, television series, animation projects and its multi award winning podcasts.[1]
His tenure at BBC Films gave him the foundation to build a career as director, writer and producer. Since then, he's been the executive producer of Channel [V] for the Star TV Network. He's produced and directed several dramas for television and feature films including I - Proud To Be An Indian (2004), Jai Veeru (2009) and Kisaan',[2] (2009) for which he received a Best Director honor. Virat Kohli's Super V (2019), a Superhero animation series, directed by Puneet for Disney+, Marvel HQ, Star TV Network, Hotstar and Baweja Movies is the highest rated show in the animation bracket in India with almost 200 million views.
Biography
[edit]Early career
[edit]Sira started his career as an actor in the UK at the age of nine as a beggar boy in Annie Besant, The Warrior's Return[3](1977) as part of The Velvet Glove series for the BBC, directed by Philip Saville.[4] Puneet went on to play in the feature film Arabian Adventure[5](1979). He played the lead role of Majeed, directed by Kevin Connor. In the same year Puneet played Kasava Minor in the BBC series To Serve Them All My Days[6] (1979).
In 1980 Sira was the youngest member to participate in Comex 10, a commonwealth expedition sponsored by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.[7] Founded by Lieutenant Colonel Lionel Gregory, OBE, Comex 10 was an expedition where 40 artistes from all commonwealth countries toured India performing variety acts in every city visited.
More acting work followed from How We Used to Live (Yorkshire Television), Why Couples Break Up (Yorkshire Television), London's Burning (London Weekend Television), The Moneymen (London Weekend Television), The Park (Regent Productions), The Betrothed (LIFS) and the highly acclaimed Walkers Poppadoms Commercial, The Rocking Sikh directed by Paul Weiland.
Film-making career
[edit]Sira became an assistant director at BBC Films Department on films such as Hallelujah Anyhow[8](1991) (Screen Two) starring Keith David, Sweet Nothing[9](1990) (Screen One) and Can You Hear Me Thinking?[10](1991) starring Judi Dench. He freelanced on Flying Colors (1993), Memsahib Rita (1994), Blue Baby (1994) before venturing into directing his own films like Strings (1996) which he also wrote and produced.
Sira was the director of the London Academy of Acting (a school founded by his father, Gurdial Sira in 1970), where he would teach acting for film. He set up an actors' agency, Talent Introduction Centre (T.I.C.), where he provided work for Asian actors in the UK.
Casting director was another title to Sira's credit: films such as Jinnah (1998) starring Christoper Lee, Flight[11](1992) (BBC Screen One), directed by Alex Pillai, Immaculate Conception (1992) directed by Jamil Dehlavi, Memsahib Rita[12] (1994) and Frantz Fanon – Black Skin, White Mask (1996) directed by Isaac Julien. On the American feature film Passion in the Desert (1997) Sira worked on production.
Sira lectured on basic film making at Middlesex University and Italia Conti Acting Academy as a visiting lecturer.
In 1998, Sira became the executive producer for Rupert Murdoch's Channel V, (STAR TV), producing more than 22 television shows for the channel in Mumbai. He went on to produce and direct drama for television The Steal (2000) STAR TV, followed by Sanatta (2001) and Jataka Tales (2002) for Japanese television which Sira directed and produced with his partner Vikram Dhillon. Sira went on to direct the feature films I - Proud To Be An Indian (2004), Jai Veeru (2009) and Kisaan (2009).
As a screenwriter Sira wrote I - Proud To Be An Indian with Vekeana Dhillon. Together they have written the screenplay for the feature film Kurbani for Feroz Khan (FK International) and Spiceboy for Miracle Films. Sira had written The Steal and Sanatta.
Sira and Vikram Dhillon are partners in The Foundry, a production company which has developed several feature films as well as several IP for the major OTT platforms, and award winning scripted podcasts for Audible such as the adaptations of Pride & Prejudice, Sherlock Holmes and Kama Sutra which ranked #1 in Audible’s Wellness & Self Help Podcasts of 2023 and Ranked #2 of the Audible’s most listened to Originals and Exclusives of 2023. It also won Audiobook of the year at India Audio Summit & Awards (2022)
Filmography
[edit]| Title | Year | Designation | Genre | Company | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pride and Prejudice[13] | 2023 | Producer | Audio Series | The Foundry / Audible | The Foundry's original adaption into Hindi
Winner of "Best Audiobook Narration" Golden Mikes Radio & Audio Awards (2023). |
| Sherlock Holmes Ki Romanchak Kahaniyan[14] | 2022 | Producer | Audio Series | The Foundry / Audible | The Foundry's original adaption into Hindi.
Winner of "Best Audiobook Narration" Golden Mikes Radio & Audio Awards (2023). Winner of "The Best Story Narration based on a Book" e4m Play Streaming Media Awards (2023) |
| Kama Sutra[15] | 2022 | Producer | Audio Book | The Foundry / Audible | The Foundry's original adaption into Hindi.
Winner of "Audio Book of the Year" India Audio Summit & Awards (2022) |
| Karmabhoomi[16] | 2022 | Producer | Audio Series | The Foundry / Audible | |
| Raat Hone Ko Hai | 2022 | Producer / Series Director | Animation Series | The Foundry / Ishara TV | Limited Series |
| Super V | 2019-2020 | Series Director | Superhero Animation Series | Disney+, Marvel HQ, Star TV Network, Hotstar, Baweja Movies | |
| The Great Punjabi Luv Shuv Story | Under Production | Director / Producer | Web Series | Altbalaji / Eyeline Entettainment | |
| Ji Karda | Under Production | Producer / Story | Feature Film | Eyeline Entertainment | Dir: Vikram Dhillon |
| Photo Jatt Di | 2018 | Producer | Music Video | The Foundry | Dir: Vikram Dhillon |
| November 2 | 2018 | Producer | Music Video | The Foundry | Dir: Vikram Dhillon |
| Marr Ke Khuda | 2018 | Producer | Music Video | The Foundry | Dir: Vikram Dhillon |
| Pinky Moge Wali | 2012 | Special Thanks | Feature Film | Kapil Batra Productions | Dir: Vikram Dhillon |
| Kisaan | 2009 | Director | Feature Film | Sohail Khan Productions | SAFF L.A. Award: Director |
| Jai Veeru | 2009 | Director | Feature Film | Venus / Siddhi Vinayak Movies | |
| Kurbani | 2008 | Writer | Feature Film | F.K. International | Dir: Feroz Khan |
| Flipped Campaign: MTV Arabia | 2006 | Director | 9 Commercials | MTV Arabia / Raj Taru (Dubai) | Series of 9 commercials for the "Flipped" campaign. |
| Jawani | 2004 | Producer | Music Video | Aura Entertainment | Dir: Vikram Dhillon |
| Rog Judaayian | 2004 | Producer | Music Video | Aura Entertainment | Dir: Dharmendra Suresh Desai & Vishal Sethi |
| I-Proud To Be An Indian | 2004 | Director / Writer | Feature Film | Sohail Khan Productions | |
| Jataka Tales | 2003 | Director / Producer | Television | Kavya Films / Miracle Films | |
| Spiceboy | 2003 | Writer | Feature Film | Miracle Films | |
| Sanatta | 2002 | Director / Producer / Writer | Television | Miracle Films | |
| Society Achiever's Awards | 2002 | Producer | Television | Visual-Eyes Entertainment | |
| Society Magazine: A Class Act | 2001 | Director / Producer / Writer | 3 Commercials | Visual-Eyes Entertainment / Magna Publishing | Series of commercials for the "A Class Act" campaign. |
| The Steal | 2000 | Director / Producer / Writer | Television | Star TV India | |
| [V] Dares You | 1999 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Challenge | 1999 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| The Juice | 1999 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Cool Maal | 1999 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Sophiya's Choice | 1999 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Patli Galli | 1999 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Style Police | 1999 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Late Night [V] | 1999 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| [V] People | 1999 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| The Chair | 1999 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| [V] On Campus | 1999 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| [V] Saba | 1999 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Tea with [V} | 1999 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Li[V]e Video Requests | 1999 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Flashback | 1998 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| First Day First Show | 1998 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Maang Ta Hai | 1998 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| By Demand | 1998 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Flashback | 1998 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| OYE | 1998 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| House Arrest | 1998 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Rewind | 1998 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Speak Easy | 1998 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| The Ticket | 1998 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Soul Curry | 1998 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| House of Noise | 1998 | Executive producer | Television | Channel V (Star TV) | |
| Jinnah | 1998 | Casting Director | Feature Film | Petra Films (UK) | Dir: Jamil Dehlavi |
| Strings | 1997 | Director / Producer / Writer | Film | Global Pictures (UK) | |
| Passion In The Desert | 1997 | Production Secretary | Feature Film | Roland Films (UK) | Dir: Lavinia Currier |
| World Beach Volleyball Championship | 1996 | Director | Sports Television | ESPN / Procam Sports | |
| Last Cloud on Margalla Hills | 1996 | Director | Theatre | Oval House Theatre (UK) | |
| Franz Fannon – Black Skin White Mask | 1996 | Casting Director | Television | BBC / Normal Films | Dir: Issac Julien |
| Flight | 1996 | Casting Director | Feature Film | BBC Films / Hindi Pictures | Dir: Alex Pillai |
| Memsahib Rita | 1994 | Assistant director | Film | BBC Films / Leda Serene Films | Dir: Pratibha Parmar |
| Flying Colours | 1993 | Casting Director / Assistant Director | Film | N.F.T.S. | Dir: Alex Pillai |
| Blue Baby | 1993 | Assistant director | Film | N.F.T.S. | |
| Immaculate Conception | 1992 | Casting Director | Feature Film | Dehlavi Films (UK) | Dir: Jamil Dehlavi |
| Day Twelve | 1991 | Director / Writer / Producer | Short Film | CBFW | Clapham & Battersea Film Festival |
| Hallelujah Anyhow | 1991 | Assistant director | Feature Film | BBC Films | Dir: Matthew Jacobs |
| Can You Hear Me Thinking? | 1990 | Assistant director | Feature Film | BBC Films | Dir: Christopher Morahan |
| Sweet Nothing | 1990 | Assistant director | Feature Film | BBC Films | Dir: Tony Smith |
| Dec 14 | 1990 | Director / Writer / Producer | Short Film | CBFW | Clapham & Battersea Film Festival |
| The Betrothed | 1990 | "Arjun" Actor | Film | L.I.F.S. | |
| The Paradise Club | 1989 | "Elvis" Actor | Television | Zenith Entertainment | Dir: Murray Smith |
| Why Couples Break Up | 1989 | "Lover" Actor | Television | Yorkshire Television | |
| Entertainment Tonight | 1988 | Self | Television | US Television | |
| Night Network | 1988 | Self | Television | London Weekend Television | |
| The Rocking Sikh | 1988 | "Rocking Sikh" Actor | Commercial | The Weiland Company | Dir: Paul Weiland |
| London's Burning | 1988 | "Indian Waiter" Actor | Television | London Weekend Television | Dir: John Reardon |
| The Money Men | 1987 | "Dealer" Actor | TV movie | London Weekend Television | Dir: John Bruce |
| How We Used To Live | 1987 | "Sanjay" Actor | Television | Yorkshire Television | |
| Comex 10 | 1980 | Variety Act | Theatre | Commonwealth Expedition | Dir: Colonel Lionel Gregory
Sponsored by: The Duke of Edinburgh - Prince Philip |
| To Serve Them All My Days | 1980 | "Kasava Minor" Actor | Television | BBC Series | Dir: Ronald Wilson |
| Arabian Adventure | 1979 | "Majeed" Actor | Feature Film | EMI / Badger Films | Dir: Kevin Connor |
| The Four Feathers | 1978 | "Arab Boy" Voice (uncredited) | Feature Film | Trident Films | Dir: Don Sharp |
| The Velvet Glove – Warriors Return | 1977 | "Indian Boy" Actor | Television | BBC Series | Dir: Philip Saville |
Awards
[edit]- 2023: Golden Mikes Radio and Audio Awards - Producer (Sherlock Holmes Ki Romanchak Kahaniyan)
- 2023: Golden Mikes Radio and Audio Awards - Producer (Pride & Prejudice)
- 2023: e4m Play Streaming Media Awards - Producer (Sherlock Holmes Ki Romanchak Kahaniyan)
- 2022: India Audio Summit & Awards - Producer (Kama Sutra)
- 2010: SAFF L.A. Award - Director (Kisaan)
References
[edit]- ^ Goldbart, Max (19 December 2022). "Audible Strikes Deal For 'The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes', 'Pride & Prejudice' Podcast Adaptations In India". Deadline. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
- ^ "Kissan (April 2009) – Under Production". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
- ^ "BFI Screenonline: Saville, Philip (1930-) Credits". www.screenonline.org.uk. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "BFI Screenonline: Saville, Philip (1930-) Credits". www.screenonline.org.uk. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Arabian Adventure – review | cast and crew, movie star rating and where to watch film on TV and online". Radio Times. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "BBC - to Serve Them All My Days - Episode guide". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Duke gives expedition royal finale". The Sunday Times. 21 December 1980.
- ^ Hallelujah Anyhow (1991), retrieved 7 September 2020
- ^ Sweet Nothing (1990), retrieved 7 September 2020
- ^ Can You Hear Me Thinking? (1990), retrieved 7 September 2020
- ^ "FRANCES-ANNE SOLOMON ||| Filmmaker | Writer | Producer | Flight". Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Memsahib Rita". Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
- ^ Audible.com | Try Audible Free Today.
- ^ Audible.com | Try Audible Free Today.
- ^ Audible.com | Try Audible Free Today.
- ^ Audible.com | Try Audible Free Today.