From FTII’s founding batch to a distinguished career in documentary cinema and national recognition
By Anoop Saxena
Journalist with International Media
Akhilesh Kumar Goorha belongs to the first batch of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, one of the country’s finest institutions for cinematic arts. Being part of the founding batch itself reflects his pioneering spirit and early commitment to serious filmmaking and cinematography.
He is my Mausi’s son and the eldest in our extended family. Beyond family ties, he has always shared a very close bond with my parents. My father, a journalist with The Indian Express, often engaged him in conversations about media, visuals, and storytelling. Those interactions nurtured a deep respect within our family for the craft of camera work and visual journalism.
Akhilesh trained in cinematography at a time when formal film education in India was rare and highly competitive. Armed with professional training from FTII, he began his career as a freelancer, taking on independent assignments before gradually moving into mainstream broadcasting.
He later joined Doordarshan, where his work reached audiences across the country during the era when national television held unmatched influence. His dedication, technical precision, and artistic sensibility earned him recognition and increasing responsibility.
Subsequently, he served with the Films Division of India, contributing significantly to documentary filmmaking and government productions that documented India’s social and cultural landscape. Through his lens, important moments of India’s public life and heritage were captured and preserved. After a distinguished and fulfilling career, he eventually retired from the Films Division.
A particularly special memory for me was the opportunity to work alongside him during the Maha Kumbh Mela of 2001 in Prayagraj, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. He was representing the Films Division while I was there on behalf of my organisation. Watching him work in such a massive and spiritually charged environment was an education in itself. Amid millions of pilgrims, complex logistics, and unpredictable conditions, his calm professionalism and remarkable eye for detail stood out.
For me, it was not just another assignment—it was a proud personal moment to collaborate with a senior family member whose career I had long admired.
His accomplishments include the prestigious National Film Award, along with several other honours recognising his excellence behind the camera. These awards were not merely personal milestones but moments of pride for the entire family.
Akhilesh Kumar Goorha represents dedication, artistic integrity, and quiet achievement. In an era when cameras were heavy, film stock was precious, and editing was manual, he mastered the craft with patience and precision. His journey stands as a testament to discipline, creativity, and passion in building the foundations of modern Indian visual storytelling.