Latest news with #VishalPunjabi
NDTV
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Exclusive: Virat-Anushka Wedding Filmer Vishal Punjabi Breaks Down The Big Fat Indian Wedding
New Delhi: The journey started 15 years ago with a dream to carve a niche in a competitive market, with a determination to change the game of perception. And, it paid off. The Wedding Filmer, Bollywood's go-to wedding videographer, witnessed the biggest moment of fame in his career on December 11, 2017 - the day former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma got married in the picturesque locales of Lake Como, Italy. As soon as their first video found its way to social media, the Internet across age groups, cultures and regions, had only these words to say, "Ah, it's beautiful!" And the credit goes to Vishal Punjabi, a filmmaker who always wanted to create something beautiful, something "timeless". As the Wedding Filmer, how Vishal Punjabi is popularly known as in wedding circles, completes 15 years in the industry, the OG Bollywood wedding videographer shared his thoughts on the evolution of the Indian marriage market, the big, fat Indian weddings, the challenges, the perks and the zeal to create evergreen wedding memories in an exclusive chat with NDTV. The Most Challenging Part Of Shooting Deepika-Anushka's Weddings Virat-Anushka's picture-perfect wedding set the trend of lavish and yet intimate weddings in India in recent times. In 2018, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh also chose Italy to film their jaw-dropping wedding. When we ask Vishal what his high-profile clients briefed him about before their weddings, he tells us, "All of them just wanted a beautiful wedding. That's what they briefed me." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vishal Punjabi (@theweddingfilmer) "Getting married is not like a film shoot. These people see themselves in nice pictures, nice shots, nice locales all day. On their wedding day, we have to make them look even more special. That's the most challenging part. They gave me full creative freedom. My job was to tell the story that they want to share with the world." Kiara Advani's Viral Walk Before Joining Sidharth Malhotra At The Mandap Kiara Advani set another trend as she walked down the aisle with her playful gestures, while Sidharth Malhotra looked at his watch during her wedding held at the Suryagarh Palace in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan in 2023. "I have nothing to do with what the actor does, or for any bride for that matter. I try not to direct them and shoot. Because I feel it's not my memory of their wedding, it should be their memories of their wedding. So the weddings we shoot, whether of a celebrity or not, we don't direct them. Kiara is a playful girl. She had come up with that," clarifies Vishal. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KIARA (@kiaraaliaadvani) Evolution Of The Indian Marriage Market According to Vishal, a wedding should be "classic" and "timeless". These two adjectives sum up his vision, aesthetics and his driving force behind these creations. From the point when there was no Indian wedding videography market, Vishal has come a long way. Tracing the evolution of the market, Vishal says, "India has a specific trait. If anyone does well in any business, everyone follows him. It's like a 'follow me trait'. With the advent of social media and so many players in the market, the Indian marriage market is huge but it's also a saturated market. Changes will come and go in the Indian market. But what really stays is classic. Talk about wedding entertainers, jewellery, fashion, food or music, what stays is timeless creations. At least, weddings should be classic and timeless, according to me." When we ask him about Delhi government's plans to open the heritage sites like the Qutub Minar or the Purana Quila to host weddings and private parties, Vishal said he is all game for it. "I have already shot pre-wedding functions at places with the Qutub Minar in the background. India has some beautiful architecture. If reputed wedding planners can guarantee safety and security of these places, it would be an opportune moment to showcase what India has in store as a country. Perhaps, we can have a wedding at The Taj Mahal. Why not? For people who can afford it." The Idea Behind The Wedding Filmer Vishal Punjabi used to work as a line producer in Shah Rukh Khan's production banner Red Chillies Entertainment. Later, he moved to the advertising vertical of Red Chillies Entertainment to produce and direct television commercials. But he never left filmmaking. "The idea was to create a niche for myself and to create a small universe where we could thrive and create something beautiful for people. Filmmaking is in my blood and I always wanted to do films. So stepping into the wedding industry was entirely new at that time. This industry didn't exist. There was no industry like wedding videography. Wedding photography was looked down upon in India. And I really wanted to take that upon myself to change the perception," Vishal recalls. "So, I started the Wedding Filmer. And over the past 15 years the mission was to educate as many people by doing workshops, by shooting some of the finest weddings, by bringing together some really good talents to make these films work. From the music we created to the places we have travelled to, life has completely changed over the last 15 years. It's beautiful," says the OG wedding videographer with a sense of bliss in his voice. Tips For Budding Wedding Videographers People go by the looks and glamour of it, but shooting a wedding video is as "stressful" as any other job. "Don't get into this profession until you want to put in a lot of hard work. Someone's memories are not to be toyed with. If you are doing this job, do it with sincerity," Vishal shares tips for the budding wedding videographers. Apart from Virat-Anushka (2017), Deepika-Ranveer (2018), Kiara-Sidharth (2023), The Wedding Filmer also covered the grand weddings of Vicky Kaushal-Katrina Kaif (2021), Aditi Rao Hydari-Siddharth (2024), PV Sindhu-Venkata Datta (2024) and many more.
NDTV
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Exclusive: What Shah Rukh Khan Told Wedding Filmer AKA Vishal Punjabi About Cinema
He is the OG Bollywood wedding videographer. From Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh to Virat Kohli-Anushka Sharma to Katrina Kaif-Vicky Kaushal, his lenses captured the grandeur of Bollywood's biggest weddings and turned them into a larger-than-life celebration of love, much like the movies. This filmmaker, who weaves stories out of real-life weddings, owes his career to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and his production company Red Chillies Entertainment. As Vishal Punjabi Aka The Wedding Filmer completes 15 years in the industry, he talks about his long association with Shah Rukh Khan and his unforgettable influence during an exclusive chat with NDTV. Shah Rukh Khan And Cinema Before venturing into the wedding business, Vishal Punjabi used to work as a line producer for Red Chillies Entertainment in Mumbai. Vishal, who always wanted to make films, was noticed for his knack for visual art. Vishal was allowed to set up a team for visual art by putting together visual effects productions for films such as Asoka, Main Hoon Na, Paheli, and Don -- all starring Shah Rukh -- as well as Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. He moved to the advertising vertical of Red Chillies Entertainment to produce and direct television commercials. When asked about his long association with Red Chillies Entertainment, Vishall tells NDTV, "Everything I know about filmmaking, I have learnt from my time at Red Chillies. Farah Khan, Santosh Sivan, Bobby Chawla, Juhi Chawla, Shah Rukh Khan are my mentors. They taught me how to edit, they have taught me how to shoot. They have taught me the language of cinema. I hope they are proud of me now." What are some of his fond memories with Shah Rukh Khan? "Shah Rukh Khan once told me, 'Filmmaking requires a lot of maturity, time and love. Only make a film when you reach that level of maturity'. I think, today, I have reached that level of maturity, where I can bring expertise and years of my experience to the craft." If you scroll down Vishal Punjabi's Instagram posts, you will find a DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge) poster, shared way back in 2015. The caption read, "When I grow up..." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vishal Punjabi (@theweddingfilmer) We now know where it all comes from. Vishal Punjabi has covered more than 50 celebrity weddings till date, such as Virat Kohli-Anushka Sharma (2017), Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh (2018), Vicky Kaushal-Katrina Kaif (2021), Sidharth Malhotra-Kiara Advani (2023), to name a few. He started his career when there was no wedding videography market in India as such. Reflecting upon his career, he says, "It's been quite a journey."
Hindustan Times
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
HTCity Showstoppers Wed in India Awards 2025 are here!
What's the only thing bigger than the big, fat Indian wedding? The Wed in India Awards night! The best in the wedding business will be chosen through a combination of jury deliberation and reader polls(Photo: Adobe Stock) Think big-fat-wedding energy meets red carpet elegance. From carats in kilos to custom couture, planners to performers—only the crème de la crème will be honoured at the Wed in India Awards 2025, this is the definitive celebration of India's first luxury wedding awards. So polish that bling, step into your finest, and put on a show—because this time, you're being judged! The best in the wedding business will be chosen through a combination of jury deliberation and reader polls. Jury for HTCity Showstoppers Wed in India Awards 2025: Karan Johar, Filmmaker Sussanne Khan, Entrepreneur Kalyani Saha Chawla, Entrepreneur Sunil Sethi, Chairman, FDCI Sonal Kalra, Chief Managing Editor (Lifestyle), Hindustan Times Nominees for HTCity Showstoppers Wed in India Awards 2025: Best Wedding Photographer & Videographer Joseph Radhik He is globally acclaimed for his storytelling in wedding photos and videos. Weddings that put him on the global map include Radhika–Anant Ambani and Anushka Sharma–Virat Kohli. Vishal Punjabi – The Wedding Filmer A pioneer of cinematic wedding films in India, Vishal Punjabi's Heartbeats was the first Indian wedding film screened internationally. He's captured iconic celeb weddings, like Anushka-Virat Kohli and won multiple awards for his craft. House On The Clouds Founded by Siddharth Sharma, House on the Clouds is a studio that has shot celeb weddings like Alia Bhatt–Ranbir Kapoor's and Kiara–Sidharth's. Their dreamy, editorial storytelling style has made them a coveted choice of every couple. Best Wedding Invites Itccha Talreja Designs She is a leader in luxury wedding stationery. Starting in 2015 with custom invites for friends, she gained recognition for designing celebrity wedding invites. Clients include Parineeti Chopra & Raghav Chadha, Rakul Preet & Jackky Bhagnani Radhika Pitti Studio Radhika Pitti in Hyderabad specialises in bespoke luxury wedding invitations. Known for intricate boxed and video invites for high-profile events like PV Sindhu's wedding, her studio merges print and digital e-invites with packaging and corporate branding. Entertainment Design Co. The Entertainment Design Co. co-founded by Kapil and Sandy Khurana excels in luxurious, handcrafted bespoke wedding invitations—elevating cultural richness through artful materials and techniques. Notably, they designed the iconic, immersive invite for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's wedding. Best Wedding Couture Designer – Western Rimzim Dadu Rimzim is known for her luxury haute couture, experimental handcrafted pieces often overlapping with art Amit Aggarwal Celebrated for his avant-garde couture that fuses industrial materials with traditional craftsmanship, his sculptural silhouettes have been worn by style icons like Deepika Padukone and Kiara Advani. Shantnu & Nikhil This designer duo is where heritage meets structured, avant-garde silhouettes. Their designerwear has been sported by actors such as Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor Best Wedding Couture Designer – Indian Tarun Tahiliani He designs the right mix of traditional weaves and modern drapes. His elegant, structured couture has changed the face of Indian bridal wear. Manish Malhotra Every bride's dream, Manish Malhotra is the dazzling doyen of Indian couture, where opulence meets artistry, and heritage is draped in unapologetic glamour and gravitas. JJ Valaya JJ Valaya is celebrated for his opulent bridal couture that draws deeply from India's regal heritage and artisanal handlooms, fusing grandeur with modern sophistication. Best Wedding Planner Evolve Weddings They specialise in customised destination and themed weddings offering seamless execution, client-focused luxury wedding solutions. Seven Steps They are known to have created ultra‑luxury weddings for actors like Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla. Renowned for bespoke design, lavish décor, global destinations, and flawless execution. WeddingLine They transform blank venues into unforgettable wedding masterpieces. With a global team of planners and creatives, they craft bespoke celebrations that reflect the couple's story in the most beautiful way. Best Wedding Sweet Treats Saugaat by Bikanervala Saugaat is a by-order-only gifting boutique from the House of Bikanervala. It has been featured in celebrity weddings and high-end gifting. Meethi Meethi is known for reinventing Indian mithai with contemporary elegance, luxe packaging, and artisanal flavours. Nihira The brand reimagines Indian mithai with modern twists like boozy laddoos and edible flower barfis. Best Wedding Jewellery Nemichand Bamalwa & Sons Established in 1987 in Kolkata, Nemichand Bamalwa & Sons, revolutionised India's jewellery industry with genuine 22/22K gold purity pieces crafted like pure art. Raj Mahtani Couture Jewels From the legacy of Satramdas Dhalamal (est. 1880), Raj Mahtani Couture Jewels is known for couture-inspired, bespoke jewellery. Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas It is a luxury jewellery house in Jaipur since 1940, known for vibrant gemstones and bold jadau and art-deco designs. Best Wedding Caterer Saltt Catering Founded in 2006 by Sammir and Sachin Gogia, Saltt Catering is known for its gourmet excellence. Under Pooja Gogia, it expanded into luxury events and artistic dessert gifting for weddings Sage and Saffron Launched in 2012 by Chef Aditi Dugar in Mumbai, Sage & Saffron brings Michelin-level finesse to Indian luxury catering. Known for immersive tablescapes and bespoke menus, the brand caters to high-profile families and celebrity weddings. Purple Plate Established in 2017 by Ishaan Kapoor in Delhi, The Purple Plate is celebrated for its global fusion menus, refined presentation, and standout hospitality, redefining modern wedding catering. Best Destination for Resort Weddings Goa Sun-kissed beaches, Portuguese charm, and luxury resorts make Goa a celeb-favourite wedding spot, Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani included. Kerala Lush backwaters, beaches, and heritage resorts make Kerala ideal for culturally rich, intimate or grand celebrations. Uttarakhand Himalayan views, luxury resorts and spiritual serenity make Uttarakhand perfect for nature lovers seeking a majestic wedding setting. Best Wedding Makeup Artist Shradha Luthra Known for creating soft, flawless bridal looks, Shraddha has worked with celebrity influencer brides such as Alanna Panday and Aaliyah Kashyap. Meera Sakhrani Meera is loved for her natural, skin-focused makeup technique. She is every bride's favourite in India and even for international destination weddings. Mallika Bhat This celebrity bridal makeup artist gained fame working closely with actors Kareena Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Priyanka Chopra, Kajol, Mira Rajput and Sonam Kapoor. She displayed flawless glam and bridal artistry. Best Wedding Decor Yogesh Popat Architect-turned-visionary, Yogesh Popat, leads YPD Weddings Worldwide. He is known for his work at Anant Ambani–Radhika Merchant's wedding. Devika Narain Founder of Devika Narain & Company, Devika earned three Wezoree Awards and global acclaim with intimate celebrity weddings (e.g., Virat–Anushka). She began as 'Unreal Bride' blogger, shaping boho-luxury wedding trends in India Aroosi Events Launched by Ashima Arora and Rasmeen Sawhney, Aroosi crafts bespoke luxury weddings from New Delhi. Known for personalized designs across global destinations, they deliver deeply emotional and meticulously curated wedding experiences Best Wedding Property Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad Perched on a hilltop, this Nizam-era palace with Italian marble and Venetian chandeliers hosted many celebrity weddings. Suryaagarh, Jaisalmer A desert-fort palace fusing Rajput, Mughal, and modern styles, Suryaagarh gained fame after Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra's 2023 wedding, becoming a top celebrity wedding destination. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur With 26-acre gardens, Art Deco interiors, and Taj hospitality, this regal venue hosted Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas's wedding—ideal for grand celebrations of up to 900 guests. Best Destination for Heritage Weddings Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh is perfect for heritage weddings, with majestic venues like Ahilya Fort (Maheshwar), Orchha Fort, Jahaz Mahal (Mandu), Usha Kiran Palace (Gwalior), and Jehan Numa Palace (Bhopal), blending royalty and serenity. Rajasthan Rajasthan is the epitome of royal grandeur with palatial venues like Umaid Bhawan and City Palace. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, and Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal held their iconic weddings here, making it the go-to for regal celebrations. Telangana Telangana blends royal palaces, vibrant culture, and rich cuisine with modern luxury. Hyderabad's iconic venues like Falaknuma Palace and Chowmahalla make it a regal, well-connected choice for destination weddings. Best Wedding Singer Sidharth Mohan Renowned for his soulful voice and spiritual renditions, he has performed at high-profile weddings. His devotional depth adds unmatched grace to wedding celebrations. Ankit Batra This musical innovator pioneered 'Musical Pheras' led by soulful raaga. He has solemnised weddings for the families like ambanis and Birlas. He also performed at actor Parineeti Chopra and politician Raghav Chaddha's wedding. Mohit Chopra His soulful voice and versatility have made him a top choice for luxury weddings. He has been creating the right wedding ambience at many high-profile events through his performances. Best Wedding Gifting The Mansion The Mansion offers premium, bespoke wedding gifting with curated hampers, luxury brands, and personalised touches. Purple Bird Purple Bird is known for its thoughtfully curated Made‑in‑India luxury hampers, bespoke in‑room gifting solutions, elegant invitation and return‑favour options. Momentz Since 1985, Momentz has led luxury wedding gifting with high-end silverware, crystal, and bespoke favours and gifts. They are known for craftsmanship and innovation. Best Wedding Band Chawla Band Delhi's iconic wedding band since 1973, Chawla Band's famed vibrant 'dhol and band' baraats, complete with baggi and ghori services, have been enlisted by the likes of cricketer Shikhar Dhawan. Jea Band Jea Band has been making people dance at weddings since 1936. Their energetic beats, foot-tapping dhaps, decorated baggis are on every barat's wishlist. Shiv Mohan Band Established in Delhi in 1963, Shiv Mohan Band has more than 200 musicians with them. They've infused line into countless weddings and high-profile events. Most Favourite Proposal Rings Caratlane CaratLane offers exquisite designs, certified quality, and personalised options, ensuring every wedding ring beautifully symbolises unique love stories and lasts a lifetime. Forevermark Jewellery Forevermark is a De Beers diamond brand known for responsibly sourced, hand‑selected natural diamonds. Less than 1% qualify, inscribed invisibly. Renowned for rarity and ethical elegance. Bluestone BlueStone has an extensive design collection and customisation options. Their commitment to certified, ethically sourced diamonds, ensures every couple finds their perfect, unique symbol of sourced diamonds, ensuring every couple finds their perfect, unique symbol of love. Click here and vote. Let your favourites shine as the true icons. Winners will be selected through a combination of a readers' poll and jury vote. Voting lines close mid-night on July 24th.
