Ram Madhvani Films is a natural progression for Equinox Films after the release of the feature film Neerja, directed by Ram Madhvani with Amita Madhvani as Associate Producer. Created with the vision to tell diverse and compelling stories across feature films, web shows, and short films, Ram Madhvani Films brings together a trusted pool of talented writers, showrunners, directors, and producers—especially in the long-format space for both digital and cinematic platforms.
The journey into long-format storytelling began with Aarya, a Hotstar Special, co-produced with Endemol Shine. The series, led by Sushmita Sen, received critical acclaim, with Season 1 earning an International Emmy nomination. With three successful seasons, Aarya has cemented its place as a gripping crime thriller.
Following the success of Neerja and Aarya, Ram Madhvani Films co-produced Dhamaka with RSVP, Lotte Cultureworks, Global Gate Entertainment, and Lionsgate. Starring Kartik Aaryan, the high-stakes thriller was well received and showcased the production house’s expertise in crafting gripping narratives.
Continuing its commitment to impactful storytelling, Ram Madhvani Films is set to release its latest project, The Waking of a Nation, on Sony LIV. The show delves into India’s pivotal historical event, shedding light on the conspiracy behind the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Ram Madhvani Films is a partnership between Amita and Ram Madhvani, dedicated to pushing creative boundaries and telling stories that resonate across generations.
Known as one of the prodigious talents in the world of advertising, Ram Madhvani has worn many hats and excelled across various fields. Having worked with prominent advertising agencies in India, his skill and craftsmanship have been widely recognized, earning him the prestigious Teachers Achievement Award (2004-2005). Throughout his illustrious advertising career, Ram Madhvani has created some of the most memorable commercials, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
One of his most acclaimed works is the famed Happydent commercial, which won both the Bronze and Silver Lion at the Cannes Festival in 2006. This commercial, along with his ad for Parle LMN, was featured in Shots magazine's Top 20 list of the last twenty years. Additionally, his work on Hippo World Toasties received a special mention in the magazine’s Best of Asia Pacific section. Further solidifying his influence in the advertising world, Ram Madhvani was chosen as the President of the Jury for Film Craft at Adfest Bangkok in 2011. Amongst his many accolades, he was also featured in the Top 10 Directors list in the Asia Pacific region in 2007 and ranked 11th among the most awarded directors by the Gunn Report.
Beyond advertising, Ram Madhvani has made significant contributions to the world of filmmaking. He directed two music videos for the esteemed actor Aamir Khan—“Bheja Kum” from the path-breaking film Taare Zameen Par and the official theme song for the critically acclaimed television series Satyamev Jayate.
His journey in feature films began with Let’s Talk, which had its world premiere at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival and won Best Actor and Best Debut Director at the Srinivas Gollapudi National Awards. Following this, he directed Neerja (2016), a film that received widespread critical and commercial success. Neerja was nominated in every major category during the 2017 Indian awards season, winning multiple accolades, including Best Director and Best Film at the three most significant award functions in the country. It also received the National Award for Best Feature Film (Hindi).
In addition to his work in advertising and feature films, Ram Madhvani directed the documentary Everlasting Light, featuring Indian megastar Amitabh Bachchan. The film was screened at the Lincoln Center in New York, earning widespread admiration. He also directed the short film This Bloody Line for leading national news publication India Today, marking the 70th anniversary of the Partition of British India. The film was entirely shot in the UK and received critical acclaim.
With over two decades of experience in advertising and filmmaking, Ram Madhvani is known for his relentless pursuit of quality-driven projects that challenge and inspire him as a filmmaker. Under his leadership, Equinox Films has grown exponentially, assembling a distinguished panel of directors and producers who work with some of the biggest clients and advertising agencies in the country. Today, Equinox Films stands as one of the most celebrated names in the Indian advertising industry, exclusively producing ad films.
Expanding his creative footprint, Ram Madhvani launched Ram Madhvani Films (RMF), under which he co-produced, co-created, and co-directed the successful series Aarya for Disney+ Hotstar during the lockdown. Following the immense success of its debut, he continued as showrunner for Aarya Seasons 2 and 3, maintaining the show’s acclaim and audience engagement. In addition, he co-produced and directed the Netflix Hindi feature film Dhamaka under the RMF banner in co-production with RSVP Movies.
His latest venture, The Waking of a Nation, is set to release soon on Sony LIV, where he serves as creator and director, while he continues to make commercials, staying true to his first love—advertising.
Amita Madhvani began as a film executive at Leo Burnett and Ogilvy.
Post her agency stint she joined Equinox Films where she has handled production, research and scriptwriting.
Moving on she also went on to manage theatre programming and sponsorship at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai and was also the lead in marketing Equinox’s first feature film ‘Let's Talk.’ – directed by Ram Madhvani.
Amita was also Associate Producer on the film ‘Neerja’. It has been a huge success both with critics and the box office. It is the highest grossing female lead film in the history of Indian cinema so far. It also received numerous awards including ‘Best Feature Film – Hindi’ at the National Awards.
With the launch of Ram Madhvani Films – RMF – as Co producer , produced a very successful web series “Aarya” – for Disney plus Hot star. Presently in the midst of producing “DHAMAKA” a Hindi feature film currently being shot.
Currently she is heading new business opportunities and is a Producer and Co - owner of Equinox Films and Ram Madhvani Films.
Amita believes in protecting the creative and making the dreams of ideas and scripts into a reality.
Rhea Prabhu like most teens was in a state of confusion on the choice of profession to follow.
Being from the millennial generation, she was on a quest for something more and was not inclined to follow the “beaten track”.
She chose to pursue a course in mass communication. The impact of digital technology not just on media but also social behaviour exposed her to intimidating yet exciting times. So like a typical millennial, Rhea decided to do it all.
Hence all her vacations were utilised to intern in journalism, advertising, documentary filmmaking and marketing helping her gain knowledge and experience. Xavier's Institute of Communication brought her to Mumbai and in this magical city she found her "bearings". Along with her course in advertising she administered the first student-initiated media festival at her college. After which, seeking a job in a production house seemed a logical progression; so, when Equinox offered her an internship she grabbed the opportunity.
The 8-year journey with Equinox has been of intense learning, immensely invigorating but with long hours.
With RMF being started for long formats for feature films and Shows - Her first feature film "Neerja" as Director's Assistant to Ram Madhvani brought to the fore her leadership qualities, her crisis management skills and most importantly her respect for the technical and emotional process of filmmaking. She once again proved that she has the qualities of being the back bone of the organisation.
Rhea is happy with her choice of profession.
With RMF and from the learnings of Neerja she has garnered her skills and is an Executive Producer for Aarya – a 360-degree handling of the project from script to marketing and efficiently moving the project ahead through the lockdown.
With RMF shooting “DHAMAKA” a Hindi feature film is the EP on the project presently being shot in Mumbai.
Equinox Films was just another name on Raja’s responsibilities list during his internship with B R Kapadia & Sons – a reputed firm of Chartered Accountants.
Running between a long list of clients Raja could hardly guess how closely involved his life would be with that of this one film company.
By 1987 Equinox had had enough of the ad hoc accounting methods that ran most production houses. The company was looking for a young, forward-thinking person to head up their spanking new Accounts Department.
Enter Raja Ved.
Raja not only disciplined the accounting methodology of Equinox but he also introduced a sense of calm to the hitherto unruly proceedings.
Today Raja has the experience and maturity that is the envy of other production houses. He is often called upon to share his views on larger industry matters or advise fledgling film companies.
Many would kill to have him run their accounts. Well, too bad. Because, over the years, Raja has become not just Equinox’s Chief Accountant but, more valuably, he is at the very heart of the Equinox family.
With the conception of Ram Madhvani Films handling long formats – Feature Films and Shows has been a natural progression for Raja.
“Lets Talk” in 2009 – Ram Madhvani’s debut feature film to Neerja 2016 – he has now a different experience which is very valuable for helming RMF accounts and Legal . With RMF he is helming the long formats from web series to feature films – “Aarya” to “Dhamaka”, with legal, accounts and audit.
Anna graduated from Saint Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and then completed a social communication media course with Sophia College Mumbai.
She joined Equinox as a Trainee in 2005 and has been with us ever since! She has worked on multiple television commercials over the last 15 years.
She has won many awards for the Best Production design on ‘Neerja’, directed by Ram Madhvani, at Filmfare 2017, Zee Cine Awards 2017, IIFA Awards 2017, FOI Online Awards 2017, and SABTA 2017.
She has also worked as a production designer on documentary films for Sumantra Ghosal, such as The Unseen Sequence (2013) and Kaifinama (2019).
Her bubbly personality and her infectious optimism make her a joy to work with.
Sushmita Yadav joined Equinox Films in February, 2017 as an Intern. Soon she was made a part of the Equinox family and was assigned the designation of Assistant Director, and eventually was made a Director's Assistant (and yes, they’re different designations!).
Having worked with Equinox these past three years, she has been a part of different kinds of projects, each of which has taught her something new in its own way.
Her most recent shift has been to the Production team of Ram Madhvani Films where she hopes to learn a different aspect of Filmmaking. Adjusting to long formats, she has grown her skills as a production assistant, to legal assistant, and now after being on the post production , marketing for a very successful show Aarya- with Disney plusHotstar Season 1, is working as a associate on Season 2 of Aarya, while also assisting on RMF’s latest Hindi feature film “DHAMAKA” currently being shot.
She still has a long way to go, but feels whether it’s Direction or Production, whichever side she eventually chooses, she will be happy as long as she is a part of good storytelling.
After completing his B.Com, Rajesh spent the next 24 years working at multiple institutions such as Dhimant Parekh and Co., D.B. Kapadia & Co., as an Accounts Assistant / Auditor, and Whitelight Moving Pictures, as a Commercial Controller.
He joined the RMF Accounts Team in late 2017 with this extensive experience and has been with us ever since, diligently dealing with any and all crises.
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