Filmmaker Santosh Ram

Indian Filmmaker Santosh Ram

Santosh Ram (born November 3, 1979) is a distinguished Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer whose work is a cornerstone of contemporary Marathi independent cinema. Based in Mumbai and Pune, Ram has built a career defined by social realism, minimalist aesthetics, and a deep-seated connection to his roots in Udgir, Latur.

Early Life and Educational Foundation

Born and raised in Udgir, Ram’s journey into the arts began with a strong academic background. He holds a Master’s degree in English Literature, a discipline he credits for developing his nuanced appreciation for cinematic narratives.

His formal entry into film education includes:

Film Appreciation Course (2006): Conducted by the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) and the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
Filmmaking Course: A six-month intensive program at Cinefusion, Pune.
City Narratives in Cinema and Literature: A specialized six-month course conducted by Maajlis and Max Mueller Bhavan, Mumbai.

Family and Professional Collaboration

Cinematic storytelling is a shared endeavor in the Ram household. His father, Ramchandra Pundlikrao Marewad, has played a pivotal role in his career, serving as a film producer on his projects.

Filmography and International Acclaim

The Story of Yuvraj and Shahajahan (2024)

His most recent work, with a runtime of 25 minutes, premiered on October 19, 2024.

Awards: Won 4 Awards
Global Reach: The Story of Yuvraj and Shahajahan 2024 by Santosh Ram premiered at the 19th Tasveer Film Festival in Seattle, an Oscar-qualifying event, which marked its debut on the global stage. Since then, the film has been officially selected for fifteen different film festivals, including the 16th KASHISH Pride Film Festival in Mumbai and the 22nd Indian Film Festival Stuttgart in Germany.The film has also received several awards, such as Best Director of the Festival at the 15th Pune Short Film Festival 2025, an Honorable Mention at the Caravan International Film Festival 2025, and the Best Critics Award at the 14th International Short Film Festival Surat 2025.It has also been officially selected for the 16th Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF) in the USA, 6th Positively Different Short Film Festival , Greece 2026 and 15th South Asian Film Festival of Montréal – SAFFM 2026.

Prashna (Question) [2020]

A landmark in his career, this film explores the educational struggles of seasonal migrant workers.

Recognition: Shortlisted for the Filmfare Short Film Awards.
Major Award: Received the Iris Award Special Mention (Writing) at the UNICEF Innocenti Film Festival 2021 in Florence, Italy.
Stats: Officially selected for 40 film festivals worldwide, winning 17 awards.

Galli (The Lane) [2015]

Selected for over 12 international film festivals, this short continued his exploration of localized, authentic storytelling.

Vartul (Circle) [2009]

Ram’s debut short film was inspired by a true event from his youth that shaped his religious and political ideology.

Impact: Traveled to 56 festivals, including Osian’s Cinefan (New Delhi) and the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.
Stats: Won 14 awards.

Artistic Philosophy and Industry Contribution

Ram is known for a rigorous writing process, often producing numerous drafts to ensure narrative logic. He famously champions minimalism and silence over dialogue, viewing the absence of sound as a powerful tool to explore the human soul.

Curation & Jury Work: Served as a curator for the 11th Vibgyor Film Festival (2016) and was a member of the selection committee for the 27th Madurai International Documentary and Short Film Festival (December 2025).
Producing: Served as Executive Producer for Peepal (2024) and Mera School (2025).