Pragati Deshmukh on Balancing Creative Vision & Commercial Storytelling in Modern Filmmaking
Join Pragati Deshmukh for a conversation on how storytellers can stay creatively honest while building stories that connect with today’s evolving film and streaming landscape. With more than two decades of experience across television, film, and OTT platforms including ZEE5, BBC Studios India, and Discovery JEET, she brings a rare perspective on both the artistic and commercial demands of contemporary storytelling.
Drawing from her work across development, commissioning, production, and creative leadership, this session will examine how writers and filmmakers can shape distinctive stories, respond to market realities, and protect their own voice in a crowded industry. Her career spans projects and shows associated with titles such as Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahi, Barfi!, The Broken News, Mukhbir – The Story of a Spy, Duranga, Gyaarah Gyaarah, Kaalidhar Laapata, and Dhadak 2.
Event Details:
- Date: 7th June 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM IST
- Venue: Zoom
What This Session Will Cover
- Thinking Beyond the Script: Pitching Stories with Vision, Leadership & Clarity.
- Finding the Soul of a Story: What Makes Narratives Timeless in a Fast-Changing Market.
- Standing Out in a Crowded Industry: Discovering What Makes Your Story Unique.
- Protecting Your Creative Voice: Navigating Doubt, Feedback & the Pressure to Please.
- The Future of Storytelling: Adapting to Changing Audiences, Evolving Content Trends & the Coexistence of AI.
FREE for Cininfo Community Members!
For more information please WhatsApp or call us on +91 9009004762 or DM us on Instagram @cininfo4talent
Speaker: Pragati Deshmukh
Designation: Former Head of Content at Zee Studios
Pragati Deshmukh has spent over two decades shaping stories across television, film, and major OTT platforms. Her experience includes leadership and creative roles across ZEE5, BBC Studios India, Walt Disney India, Discovery, and Zee Studios, where she was appointed Head of Content across verticals.
Her body of work reflects a strong instinct for emotionally engaging, audience-aware storytelling. From early associations with Barfi! to more recent projects such as The Broken News, Duranga, Mukhbir – The Story of a Spy, and Gyaarah Gyaarah, her work brings together strong characters, narrative clarity, and mainstream appeal.
As a producer, her credits include Kaalidhar Laapata and projects in development and release such as Dhadak 2. She is now working independently as a producer-creator, developing original long-form content, stepping into direction, and building her journey as an author with A Dark and Shiny Place and the upcoming Traffik.
Reserve your spot for a practical and honest session on what it takes to build stories that are both personal and powerful in today’s entertainment ecosystem.
