Anand Madhusoodanan
Music Composer, Screenwriter, Actor
His journey in Malayalam cinema is a testament to the transformative power of artistic passion. From his early fascination with the chenda, to becoming a multifaceted talent in the film industry, his path has been shaped by an unwavering dedication to music and storytelling.
After pursuing audio engineering, Anand made his debut as a music composer with Molly Aunty Rocks. This breakthrough led to a fruitful collaboration with director Ranjith Shankar, resulting in memorable soundtracks for films like Pretham (2016), Punyalan Private Ltd. (2017), and Njan Marykutty(2018). His romantic composition “Podimeesha Mulakkana Kaalam” captured hearts across Kerala, becoming a milestone in his musical career and cementing his position in the industry.
Dr. V. V. Pillay
Forensic Toxicologist
Dr. V. V. Pillay is a pioneer in medical toxicology and forensic medicine. As the author of “Modern Medical Toxicology” and a key expert in Netflix’s Curry and Cyanide, his groundbreaking work has shaped the field.A Lifetime Achievement Award winner and President of the Indian Society of Toxicology, Dr. Pillay’s passion for unraveling the mysteries of poison has saved lives and inspired countless minds. Having authored nearly a hundred scientific papers, he has delivered lectures and presentations all across the country and abroad.
Cartoonist, Mobility Expert
A cartoonist, art researcher, and Mobility Expert, Gokul captures the pulse of urban life through his storytelling. He is the creator of “Small Talk”, a comic strip featured in a national daily, and “As City Is”, which had a year-long run in a Mumbai-based daily. His sharp observations also come alive in “The Small Picture”, a series of single-page stories for a financial paper. A contributor to “Mixtape”, an anthology of comic shorts, Gokul brings depth, wit, and social commentary into every frame.His work explores politics, culture, and everyday human experiences, proving that comics can be as powerful as they are entertaining.
AI Developer, Entrepreneur
AI visionary, cybersecurity expert, and the Co-founder & CEO of Asterisk, Mufeed V H is redefining what’s possible in the digital world. This 22-year-old developer from Kerala's Thrissur gave life to Devika, an open-source AI software engineer designed to transform the way software is built. Propelled forward by the resources and mentorship provided by Y Combinator, Asterisk is pioneering the future of AI-driven development, pushing the boundaries of innovation.
Nayana Shyam
Director, Writer, Actor
From a young age, she harbored a passion for filmmaking. She began her professional journey as a content creator at Pocket Aces Pictures Pvt. Ltd., where she directed the heartwarming, wholesome, and highly relatable Mother’s Day video titled “Fashion Conversations With Mom”, amassing over 40 million views on FilterCopy’s YouTube channel.
Her directorial ventures include popular web series such as “Firsts”, and the second seasons of “Adulting” and “Please Find Attached” among other works. From 2020 to 2022, she worked at Netflix as a creative editor before going on to create the web series “Sisterhood” with TVF, all while committing to embroidery full-time during her breaks.