Unveiling the Aspirations of Mumbai: A Vox Populi Video

An exploration of a shared aspiration for a sustainable future as expressed by the residents of Mumbai.
A still from the video on aspirations of Mumbaikars.
A still from the video on aspirations of Mumbaikars.

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF), based in New Delhi, India, is a reputable international think tank. ORF and the Maharashtra government established the ‘Colaba Conversation’ in February 2021 as a platform to discuss international policy concerns affecting Mumbai and the world.

ORF requested that we produce a brief vox populi video for Colaba Conversation 2021 that depicts the transformations that residents of Mumbai wish to see in their city. The objective was to present this video to key decision-makers in Mumbai with the intention of sparking a discourse on urban development.

An engaging video lasting less than five minutes was produced, showcasing interviews with residents of various neighbourhoods of Mumbai and delving into the inquiry: “How can policymakers enhance the quality of life for Mumbaikars?”

A vox populi video on Mumbai.

Our objective was to gather perspectives from residents of Mumbai regarding strategies that policymakers could implement to improve the overall standard of living in the city.

At landmark public places like Marine Drive, Juhu, and Shivaji Park in Dadar, among others, our team interviewed people from varied backgrounds using questions designed to stimulate discussion.

In addition to boosting the video’s authenticity, the candid conversations set against these famous locations also highlighted the effervescent energy of the city. This immersive approach guaranteed that the voices gathered were genuine reflections of Mumbai, capturing the sentiments of its people from diverse backgrounds.

Mumbaikars share their perspectives about the city.

We offered a distinctive viewpoint on the future of the city by revealing the shared aspirations of its residents. The video, showcased at Colaba Conversation 2021, served as a catalyst for meaningful discussions on urban policies and improvements.

Sunset at Marine Drive, Mumbai | Photo by Simit Bhagat

Client: Observer Research Foundation 
Discipline: Film and Photography 
Direction and Editing: Simit Bhagat

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Swanand Deo

Web Development Specialist

Swanand Deo is a WordPress and Web Development Specialist working on various digital projects. With over a decade of experience in the design and development space, he has collaborated with over 50 national and international clients. He specialises in User Experience (UX) design, WordPress development, and creating engaging digital experiences. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Pune.

Mrinali Parmar

Associate (Partnerships)

Mrinali Parmar works on operations and building partnerships with social impact organisations. With five years of work experience, she has focused on education and promoting awareness of climate change and sustainability in her operations role. She holds a Master’s Degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai and is passionate about linguistics, speaking six languages.

Swarnima Ranade

Voice Actress

Swarnima Ranade is a medical doctor turned voice actress who has done voice-over work for everything from commercials to documentaries to corporate narration to children’s books. She has worked with numerous noteworthy businesses in the past, such as Tata, Uber, Walmart, and YouTube Kids. She graduated from SVU in Gujarat with a degree in dental surgery.

Kumar Shradhesh Nayak

Illustrator

Kumar Shradhesh Nayak is a professional artist, illustrator, and graphic designer who studied at the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Hyderabad. His experience includes stints at EkakiVedam and Design Avenue, both of which are prominent advertising firms. He enjoys trying out new approaches to illustration and creates artwork for a variety of projects.

Divya Shree

Content Producer cum Editor

Divya Shree is a media alumna from Symbiosis Institute in Pune who loves producing and editing non-fiction content. She has directed, shot, and edited videos for various productions. Her strengths are research, audience awareness, and the presentation of intricate topics with clarity and interest.

Manish Mandavkar

Motion Editor

Manish Mandavkar has studied animation at Arena Animation in Mumbai. He has previously worked on animated videos and motion graphics for brands, including Unilever and Zee Movies. An avid gamer, he is also passionate about sketching and photography. He holds a degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai.

Joel Machado

Film Editor

Mumbai-based creative consultant and film editor Joel Machado has worked on documentaries as well as films in the mainstream Bollywood sector. He was also the Chief Assistant Director on the Jackie Shroff short, “The Playboy, Mr. Sawhney.” In addition to earning a B.Com from Mumbai University, he attended the city’s Digital Academy to hone his script writing skills.

Apoorva Kulkarni

Partnership Manager

Apoorva Kulkarni is the Partnerships Manager, and is responsible for developing strategic alliances and collaborative initiatives with other organisations in the social development ecosystem. For the past five years, she has been employed by major corporations, including Perthera (USA) and Genotypic Technology. She has written and published poetry, and she has been an integral part of The Bidesia Project. At Georgetown University in the United States, she earned a Master of Science in Bioinformatics.

Aliefya Vahanvaty

Sr. Creative Partner

Senior Creative Partner, Aliefya Vahanvaty has worked in a wide range of editorial roles over the course of her career, gaining experience as a correspondent, copy editor, writer, photographer, and assistant editor at publications like the Times of India, Forbes India, Open Magazine, Impact Magazine, and others. In addition to her MA in Sociology from Mumbai University, she also has an MA in Photojournalism from the University of Westminster in the United Kingdom.

Simit Bhagat

Founder

Founder, Simit Bhagat has worked in the fields of filmmaking, project management, and journalism for over 15 years. He has served in a variety of positions for organisations like the Times of India, the Maharashtra Forest Department, the Tata Trusts, and the Thomson Reuters Foundation. From the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, he earned a Master of Arts in Science, Society, and Development.