Rohit Pradhan

In January 2016, University of Westminster alumnus Rohit Pradhan was presented with a Filmfare Award for Sound Design at a star-studded ceremony.

Rohit was awarded the famed ‘Lady in Black’ trophy for his acclaimed sound design on the 2014 film Rege. The film, directed by Abhijeet Panse, tells the story of a college teenager who becomes embroiled in a criminal underworld after a chance encounter. The film was both a critical and commercial success in India.

Rohit achieved an MA in Audio Production in 2006 from Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design. During his time at Westminster, he gained valuable experience in the industry through rigging at live gigs and volunteering on documentaries produced by the Department of Film and Television. He also found London an inspirational city in which to be based.

Rohit, who is now based in Mumbai, said: “Very few universities teach you how to cope with the pressures of working in the media industry, but Westminster taught me how to manage a range of people and priorities at any one time. I learnt how to manage actors, producers, suppliers, finances and all the legalities that come with running your own business. I would not be where I am today were it not for my experience at Westminster.”

He added: “The best thing about studying in London was being exposed to the variety of art and culture on offer as well as the diversity of the city, which has spawned a unique artistic subculture.”

After graduating from Westminster, Rohit went on to set up his own audio post-production studio, Mixbox Studios, which functioned in an old mansion just outside of Mumbai. He got his first big break in 2011 with the film Balak Palak, directed by Ravi Jadhav, which became internationally acclaimed.

In 2014, he was awarded the renowned IMFFA award for Achievement in Sound Design for his work in the film Yellow. The short film Mitraa, for which he was a sound designer, also won the National Award for the Best Short Film.

Filmfare Awards are the most prestigious screen awards in India – often referred to as the ‘Hindi Oscars’ – and are presented annually to honour both artistic and technical excellence in Indian cinema. In contrast to many awards, Filmfare Awards are voted by both the public and film experts.