Manish Mundra is an Investor, a film producer, and a man whose story is an inspiration for all the small-town people with big dreams.

Manish was born in a Marwadi family based in Deoghar, Jharkhand. He along with his family experienced a difficult time when his father’s business suffered a setback. From selling sarees to cold drinks, he had done it all to support his family. Manish later on focused on his education and did his MBA from a college in Jodhpur. He, later on, moved to Nigeria to join a multinational Petrochemicals firm and rose up to become its CEO.

In 2013, Manish responded to a tweet by actor-director Rajat Kapoor, offering to produce a movie based on his script—Ankhon Dekhi (2014).

After that, Manish founded Drishyam Films to back socially relevant films like Masaan, Newton, Ankhon Dekhi and more becoming one of the most promising filmmakers of Indian cinema. Recently, he also released his first movie Siya as a director.

In our conversation with Manish, he shares his journey from his early days in Deoghar to moving to Nigeria and then finding a way to produce and direct movies.  

He also opens up about his passion for promoting diversity and inclusivity in cinema and why it's so important to give a voice to underrepresented communities.

Manish's infectious energy and inspiring story that he has will definitely make you think that when it comes to dreams, the sky's the limit for him.

Notes - 

02:08 - Intro to Manish Mundra

05:48 - Moving out of India

10:33 - Initial life in Middle-class families 

20:34 - Working hard early in career to scale faster

23:50 - His experience with his first film - “Ankhon Dekhi” with Rajat Kapoor

35:33 - Slow compounding throughout his journey

39:18 - Being a filmmaker who has no background of movies

42:47 - More screens for independent film-makers

52:02 - Dealing with your inferiority complex? 

56:35 - More evolved and More Spiritual 

57:14 - What’s the purpose that’s driving Manish at the age of 49?