Many who know Santosh Mohan Veeranki will know of his work as founder of Tale Tellers Troupe India and Cinephiles Film Club (CFC).
Upon meeting him, there’s an easiness in his gait and a contagious charisma. Santosh’s own story is something remarkable to which many can relate.
Growing up, Santosh took his studies seriously, often surpassing his own expectations. His mechanical engineering studies at University of Pune led him to a path in Design Engineering for Airbus in Europe and in India and Infosys, from 2004 and 2014 — 10 years which involved a plethora of feasability studies, mock-up projects and delegating — something in which Santosh continues to prove his aptitude in the newer realms of his life.
Turning point
While Santosh loved his work at Airbus, he shares it was in the back of his mind that he always wanted to do more. “I’d got bitten by the travel bug by that time and there was so much I wanted to see and so many people I wanted to meet. I was working in a place that facilitated travel for millions of people yet I was stationary.”
“I moved to India a few years ago on September 13 2014, initially thinking I had no intention of actually staying here for the long run,” he explains. Santosh’s long-lying interest in film took on a blossoming, adding to his work on Terror , Coeur de Pierre and a few other films.
In 2014, Santosh started Tale Tellers Troupe India (TTTI) after he gathered a small group of friends, who had the same fear of public-speaking as him, to engage in storytelling sessions, attracting more people with similar fears. Eventually, the group grew into a national movement. He also kicked up Cinephiles Film Club (CFC) which engenders a wider interest in world cinema and independent film, paving the way for an even more globalised Hyderabad of local personalities.
Adjusting to Hyderabad is no small feat but Santosh has made assimilating into society look easy.
In retrospect...
Regarding regrets, Santosh shares he wishes he wished he hadn’t made the changes in his life sooner, adding, “Ideally, I should have made the switch at least three years earlier than I did.” Now at 35 years-old, Santosh shares, while he misses the life in the UK, he loves what he does here.
There’s a new community feeling he has inspired in Hyderabadi youth through TTTI and CFC. More recently, Santosh has fallen in love with teaching and filmmaking through Teach For India— yet another way for him to enliven his love for people.
He explains that his future will have more of a film-oriented trajectory, explaining he was happiest when working in the industry.
(This column features people who dared to give up lucrative career to pursue their dream)
