REGULAR FACULTY
RAM GOPAL BAJAJ
[Founder & Director of ‘Ram Gopal Bajaj Acting Studio’-RGBAS]
Ram Gopal Bajaj is the Founder & Director of ‘Ram Gopal Bajaj Acting Studio’ operated under ‘Lifft India Academy’. Mr.Bajaj graduated from National School of Drama in 1965. He is a noted Indian theatre director, academician, theatre & film actor. He has also been a faculty member and a former Director of National School of Drama-NSD, New Delhi. He was awarded thePadma Shri award in 2003, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1996, Kalidas Samman in 2016 and META Lifetime achievement Award in 2024 for his contribution to theatre. Mr. Bajaj has gifted many talented actors and writers to the Indian ‘Film & Theatre Industry’ under his reverent guidance. Apart from being an actor par excellence in theatre & films, he has written dialogues for feature films such as Jai Ganga. His most recent Feature Film in a leading role, ‘Mango Dreams’ has received various international film awards.His recent work includes feature films Chef, Jolly LLB-2, tele serials Union, Asur2, Whistle Blower, Rishton Ka Chakravyuh, Sufiyana Pyaar Mera on Hotstar and Verdict on ALT Balaji and Bahubali-before the beginning.
Mr. Bajaj has also been jury member for National Film Awards a couple of times.
He is also ‘head of the jury’ of the Lifft India Filmotsav-World Cine Fest for the years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.
RIJU BAJAJ
[Founder & CEO of Lifft India & Dean of ‘Ram Gopal Bajaj Acting Studio’-RGBAS]
Riju is the Founder & CEO of Lifft India. Riju is actively involved in almost all major aspects of film making ranging from acting, writing, cinematography and directing. Riju has acted in various feature films under eminent Directors and has been nominated for best supporting actor for national film awards in 1988 & 1993 for his performance in Tamas & Suraj ka Saatvan Ghoda respectively. Riju has directed documentaries and serials including popular Tv series India’s Most Wanted, Crime Patrol & Phir Bhi. Riju was associate director for the feature film Yun Hota To Kya Hota. He also produced and directed short films THE RE-BELL and FALLEN IN LOVE for Lifft India’s You tube channel. Riju has been Creative Director & Development Manager for Fox TV Studios India Pvt Ltd, and Creative Head for various projects under BAG Films, Hema Malini Media & Entertainment, Swastik Productions, Maya Movies to name a few.
VISITING FACULTY:-
Feroze Zahid Khan,
Feroze graduated from National School Of Drama-NSD, Delhi in 1999. He has been Faculty member with various institutes such as Whistling Woods International – Mumbai, City Pulse Film & Television, Gandhinagar(Gujrat), Stella Adler Acting Studio (Mumbai), Vasant Valley School (India Today Group), Sri Ram Centre New Delhi, Marwah Film Studio (AAFT) New Delhi, CRAFT Film Academy-New Delhi.
Vidyanidhi Vanarase Prasad
Vidyanidhi graduated from National School Of Drama-NSD, Delhi in 1993. He is a Founder Director of International Association for Performing Arts and Research (IAPAR). He was dean of School of Performing Arts wing of FLAME, (Foundation for Liberal And Management Education). He has been involved in theatre training for the last 20 years and has worked as visiting faculty – guest director at several universities and theatre institutes in India and abroad. His plays have been performed in various parts of India in regional and national theatre festivals. His plays have also traveled internationally to UK, Europe and Asia. He is also a part of the team setting up the Indian National Centre of International Theatre Institute – UNESCO.
Nayani Dixit,
Nayani graduated from Film & Television Institute of India-FTII, Pune in 2007. She is a professional actress in films and television medium. She is most remembered for her work in Queen, special 26, Delhi Belly and Siyaasat. She has been Faculty member with various institutes such as Whistling Woods International-Mumbai, Stella Adler Acting Studio-Mumbai, Actor Prepares-Mumbai and FTII.
Atul Tiwari,
Atul graduated from National School Of Drama-NSD, Delhi in 1983. Atul is an eminent film writer and theatre director. He has been Faculty member with various institutes such as CRAFT Film Academy-New Delhi. Atul regularly presents papers and teaches theatre, film, screenwriting and history at universities and colleges all over the country and abroad, including Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (Japan) and several American Universities.
Ustaad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar,
Padmashree awardee Ustaad faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar is an eminent and internationally acclaimed Dhrupad singer. He has been Faculty member with various institutes such as NSD.
Rujuta Soman,
Rujuta is an eminent and internationally acclaimed Kathak exponent.She graduated with masters Degree in kathak from Pune University.
Devendranath Sankaranarayanan,
Devendranath graduated from Sarojini Naidu Theatre department , Hyderabad in 2007. He has been Faculty member with various institutes such as FTII, Natakam International Theatre Research Lab, Kaleidoscope Hyderabad, MINDSCREEN FILM INSTITUTE, Firefly Creative Studio Pvt Ltd, University of Warwick.
Aseem Bajaj
Aseem is a renowned cinematographer of films like Golmaal-1, Chameli, U Me Aur Hum, Double Dhamaal, Jobs, Padmavat, Shivaay, Bhuj, Bhola, Thank God and Sacred Games(Web Series). Aseem has received prestigious Film Fare, IFFA Awards for best cinematography for the film Chameli in 2003 and Zee Cine Award for Shivaay in 2017. Aseem is also the producer of feature films Parched & Rajma Chawal.
Leena Yadav,
Leena is graduate of Sophia college Mumbai with a degree in Mass com. She is an editor, writer, director of films like Shabd, Teen Patti and Rajma Chawal. She has received many international awards for her critically acclaimed film ‘Parched’
Bapi-Tutul,
Bapi & Tutul are eminent bollywood music directors.They have scored music for fims like Bhoot, sarkar, Sarkar Raj, Ek Hasina Thi, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Pihu.
Pia Benegal,
Pia graduated from national Institute of fashion Designing,Delhi in 2000. She has designed costumes for films like Zubaida, Mammo, Mahatma Gandhi, Dil Se, Aligarh
Hansal Mehta,
Hansal is a renowned director of films like Shahid, Aligarh, City lights. He has been Faculty member with various institutes such as FTII.
Mumtaz Khan
Mumtaz khan is internationally acclaimed Bhopal based fashion designer and a mentor for communication, personality development grooming and body language.He started his career with legendry Merchant ivory production Hollywood in the film ‘ In Custody’. He designed national costumes in fbb femina Miss India 2017.for Adya and Mannat Singh. He designed national costume and other costumes for Miss India Earth Shaan for Miss Earth Contest 2017.
Priyata Dixit
Priyata is an ace casting director settled in Mumbai. She has done casting for various major production banners such YRF, Arka Media, Alt Balaji etc.
