chalkboard
entertainment
chalkboard
entertainment
[What we believe]
Filmmaking is a people business.
At Chalkboard, we get that. We get that it takes talented and passionate people to make a great film.
But that’s not nearly enough.

It also takes respect, collaboration and accountability. Consideration, professionalism and team-work. We value these qualities as much as we value brilliance.

It’s at the heart of the way we like to work. And the people we like working with. Because, at Chalkboard we get that, the films we make are only as good as the people making them.
[Team]
Co-Founder

Vikesh Bhutani

Co-Founder

Vikesh Bhutani

Vikesh Bhutani has been an Executive Producer for multiple path-breaking films like Gully Boy, Dil Dhadakne Do, Talaash, Fukrey franchise & Rock On 2! As a freelance EP, Vikesh worked on the Netflix original film Yeh Ballet for Roy Kapur Films. He also worked on Shakun Batra’s Gehraaiyaan produced by Dharma Productions. He also co-produced three original series for Amazon - Mirzapur, Made in Heaven, and Inside Edge, under the banner of Excel Entertainment. With over 15 years of experience, Vikesh’s eye for promising stories and his passion for pushing boundaries make him the driving force behind Chalkboard’s quest for cinematic excellence.
Co-Founder

Shujaat Saudagar

Co-Founder

Shujaat Saudagar

A prolific Director and Screenwriter with a vast repository of work across films and advertising, Shujaat is best known for directing the runaway success Bambai Meri Jaan, a series on Amazon Prime Video. His experimental feature, The Underbug won the Grand Jury Prize at the Slamdance Film Festival 2023. He also directed Rock On 2! For Excel Entertainment. His recent ad film for Rajasthan Tourism received a standing ovation from the Indian Government officials. He is also behind the pathbreaking campaigns for leading brands like Pepsi, KFC, Vivo and Acko. As Director, Producer and Screenwriter, Shujaat brings a unique dimension to Chalkboard’s creative capabilities.
Partner

Kewal Garg

Partner

Kewal Garg

A businessman and Producer, associated with Matchbox Pictures, Kewal started his journey in Bollywood more than 10 years ago. He solidified his position with the commercially successful films, Andhadhun, Monica O My Darling and very recently Merry Christmas. Kewal’s vast business expertise and network of changemakers opens multiple avenues for Chalkboard to grow as a company.
Partner

Sandeep Bhargava

Partner

Sandeep Bhargava

An industry veteran, Sandeep has an extensive track record of transforming companies into highly successful businesses. From collaborating with internationally acclaimed directors and producers to playing a pivotal role in establishing India’s largest film studios - UTV, Sahara One & Viacom18 (Studio18), Sandeep has been a valuable partner to some of the industry’s biggest names for over three decades. Sandeep brings his wealth of experience and strategic expertise to propel Chalkboard to the next level.
Executive Producer (Unscripted)

Indrajit Ray

Executive Producer (Unscripted)

Indrajit Ray

Indrajit is an Executive Producer and Showrunner who has led numerous successful tentpole properties like Dance India Dance, Indian Idol and Kaun Banega Crorepati. His keen interest in youth based content saw him create some of the most iconic shows in India like Emotional Atyaachaar and Yeh Hai Aashique. His latest project, Mission Start Ab (Amazon Prime Video) was a joint undertaking between Amazon Prime and The Office of the PSA (Government of India) to create an entertaining handbook for aspiring young entrepreneurs in the country. Over his career of nearly 25 years, Indrajit comes with the unique experience of leading productions, creating formats and designing & executing original content strategies for the unscripted space.
Executive Producer (Unscripted)

Srikanth Prabhala

Executive Producer (Unscripted)

Srikanth Prabhala

Srikanth Prabhala has been a creative professional for over 20 years and holds a postgraduate degree from The Symbiosis Institute for Television & Film production. Working with production companies such as Miditech, UTV, Endemol Shine, Banijay Asia & BBC Studios he has led teams on international formats like Fear Factor, Big Boss, Dancing with the stars, Bear Grylls -Into The Wild & Survivor, for various networks in India. His projects also include sports documentary CSK-Roar of the Lion for Disney Hotstar and launching Amazon Prime’s hit comedy series Comicstaan. Srikanth's vast experience and standing in the unscripted market adds immense value to the Chalkboard team.
Executive Producer

Ankita Batra

Executive Producer

Ankita Batra

Ankita Batra is an accomplished producer celebrated for her work on critically acclaimed films such as "Victoria & Abdul" (2017), "The Wedding Guest" (2018), "Line of Duty" (2019), and "Gulmohar" (2023). Hailing from a small town and with a background in boarding school, Ankita's profound love for Hindi cinema turned her into a full-fledged movie buff. Her passion lies in transforming visions into reality and organizing chaos with meticulous precision. Ankita embodies reliability, patience, and practicality. Her projects consistently showcase her dedication and responsibility, earning her a respected name in the industry. As a producer, Ankita's work has garnered praise for its innovative storytelling and compelling narratives, significantly contributing to the success of each film. Ankita's filmography also includes notable projects like "Hotel Mumbai" (2018) and "PK" (2014), further highlighting her versatility and commitment to excellence. Her upcoming projects include "Waking of a Nation," a series directed by Ram Madhvani about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, "Mehta Boys," a feature film directed by Boman Irani for Netflix, and "Family Man" Season 3 for Amazon Prime. Ankita's work stands as a testament to her talent and passion for cinema, continuously driving her towards further excellence.
Executive Producer

Ananya Rane

Executive Producer

Ananya Rane

With a background in literature, and a keen eye for the world, Ananya dreamt of narrating powerful stories. After her first stint on a film set, she never left. After 20 years of working with leading international & Indian filmmakers and helping them to bring their vision to life, she is now stepping into the world of producing. Ananya has worked as first assistant director on international films with Ang Lee, Kathryn Bigelow, Sam Hargrave, Garth Davis. She has to her credit, Academy Award winning modern classics like Life of Pi and Zero Dark 30 & international feature films like Extraction & Lion. Ananya has worked as a Line Producer with Roy Kapur films, on a feature film Pippa, and as the Executive Producer on Sooni Taraporevala's web series, Waack Girls for Amazon India. Ananya's execution expertise and extensive knowledge of the filmmaking process is key to Chalkboard's successful productions.
Creative Producer

Divya Aggarwal

Creative Producer

Divya Aggarwal

Divya Aggarwal’s passion for filmmaking and its dynamic energy has led to almost a decade of experience in the film industry. She has worked with acclaimed companies like T-Series, Roy Kapur Films, and Cine1 Studios, gaining production insights on Ek Villain, developing creative instincts on Baadshaho, understanding post-production on Yeh Ballet, and honing screenplay writing skills on Gumraah. Divya thrives on producing content that requires both analytical and creative mindsets. As a creative producer at Chalkboard, she excels in identifying and supervising projects. Her attention to detail and resourcefulness make her a valuable asset to the Chalkboard team.
[what we do]

Chalkboard was founded in 2019 by Vikesh Bhutani and Shujaat Saudagar. Leveraging their rich experience creating films that helped shape the Indian cinematic landscape, they started Chalkboard — a clean slate for talented storytellers and undiscovered stories.

Chalkboard’s slate traverses thought-provoking dramas, suspense building thrillers, historical mysteries and controversial capers to literary and foreign film adaptations. They believe in storytelling that is from the heart yet cerebral, characters that blend imaginations with reality and stories that cut across genres and mediums.

The endeavour is to create and collaborate with young talent and industry stalwarts to deliver high quality, relatable content that appeals to a global palette.

[Co-founder]

vikesh bhutani

With over 15 years of experience, Vikesh’s eye for promising stories and his passion for pushing boundaries make him the driving force behind Chalkboard’s quest for cinematic excellence.
[co-founder]

shujaat saudagar

As Director, Producer and Screenwriter, Shujaat brings a unique dimension to Chalkboard’s creative capabilities.
[partner]

sandeep bhargava

Sandeep brings his wealth of experience and strategic expertise to propel Chalkboard to the next level.
[partner]

kewal garg

Kewal’s vast business expertise and network of changemakers opens multiple avenues for Chalkboard to grow as a company.
[creative producer / unscripted]

indrajit ray

Over his career of nearly 25 years, Indrajit comes with the unique experience of leading productions, creating formats and designing & executing original content strategies for the unscripted space.
[creative producer / unscripted]

srikanth prabhala

Srikanth's vast experience and standing in the unscripted market adds immense value to the Chalkboard team.
[executive producer]

ankita batra

As a producer, Ankita's work has garnered praise for transforming visions into reality and organizing chaos with meticulous precision.
[executive producer]

ananya rane

Ananya's execution expertise and extensive knowledge of the filmmaking process is key to Chalkboard's successful productions.
[creative producer]

divya aggarwal

she excels in identifying and supervising projects. Her attention to detail and resourcefulness make her a valuable asset to the Chalkboard team.