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ABOUT ME
Ashish studied Film & Drama at the University of Reading, UK & has been directing, producing, writing & acting since 1992.
Ashish set up Box Office Productions in 1996, & produced/directed over 50 commercials for brands such as Airtel, Close Up, Elle, Garden Saris, Godrej, J&J, Lakmé & Sunsilk.
Subsequently, Ashish began freelance directing in India, as well as for Dubai, Finland, Sri Lanka, & US. He has made corporate videos for clients in Australia, Singapore & UK, as well as content for TV channels like BBC, CNBC, Door Darshan, Sony & Zee Music.
He has produced/directed documentaries in the Gender & LGBTQIA+ sphere- as well as commissioned documentary work for Australia, UK & USA. He has produced/directed Ethnographic films for Singapore, corporate videos for the British High Commission, Equiniti India & a series of documentaries for 101 India, International Olympic Channel, MARD, PFI, & The Wedding Filmer.
Over 2020-21, Ashish was series director on ‘The Big Day’, a 6episode documentary series for Netflix. The series was at #1 in India & was trending in 8 countries.
In 2024, Ashish functioned as Creative Producer for an Indo-American short film- ‘Holy Curse’ that has won many awards internationally, qualifying it for the Oscars.
Ashish has also appeared as an Actor in films such as ‘Luck by Chance’, ‘Made in Heaven’, ‘Gully Boy’, ‘The Archies’ & ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’, amongst others. He also began hosting “The Queer Podcast” in 2023-25, a podcast series available across audio platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Audible & Spotify.
Further, Ashish is certified & has been practicing as a mental health counsellor since 2022, with a focus on humanist, person-centred counselling & queer affirmational practices
COMMERCIALS
DIGITAL
DOCUMENTARY
LGBTQ+
TV
PODCASTING
COUNSELLING
AND SOME
COMMERCIALS
COMMERCIALS
Commercials for India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the US for brands such as Airtel, Cadburys, Close Up, Denim, Elle 18, Etisalat, Elle Magazine, Frooti, Godrej, Garden, Horlicks, Johnson & Johnson, Lakmé, Liril, Lux, Nokia, Parle, Parrys, Saffola, Surf, Schwarzkopf, Sunsilk, Thums Up, Videocon & Xoom.
IAAFA/Ad Club/Chillies Awards won in India and Sri Lanka: 1997/2005/2008/2009.
DIGITAL
DOCUMENTARY
LGBTQ+
TV
PODCASTING
PODCASTING
Ashish began hosting ‘The Queer Podcast’ in 2023, with a focus on speaking with younger folx from the LGBTQ++ community. The podcast has crossed over 2.5 Lakh listeners, and has been given shouts outs from Audible & Spotify.
“Ashish Sawhny is ready to buck the cis-tem. The filmmaker, actor, writer, queer affirmed mental health counsellor is older, wiser but still learning from our young queer peers. On The Queer Podcast Ashish talks to the sassiest, sexiest, most diverse voices from across the spectrum. Tune in to listen to the answers to boomer questions, wicked stories and warm hearts.”
https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-queer-podcast/id1689736678?uo=4&ct=rephonic&mt=2
https://open.spotify.com/show/2SUMtWqe1N1yzQuW6Kl8iX?si=DDkeUZZpTp-NGFLyCxVjmw&nd=1
2024: Spotify #1 of the week:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DLZV6QNRGsR/?img_index=1
2025: Spotify #2 of the week:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DLZV6QNRGsR/?img_index=1
The Queer Podcast: S1/2/3
COUNSELLING
COUNSELLING
Ashish is a certified mental health counselor, with a focus on Person-Centered and Queer Affirmation practices. He has been counselling clients since 2022, and continues to build his skill sets with courses in Life Skills training, Stress & Anxiety Management, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy & Acceptance & Commitment Theory (ACT).
Ashish has also been part of ‘The Rahaat Project’, a mental health & self-care online learning program for LGBTQIA++ youth, and hopes to work with queer clients across the spectrum.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct8XPKstzWl/?igshid=ZjA4NGQ2NTI1Ng==
The Raahat Project: https://theraahatproject.org/
AND SOME
AND SOME
Ashish has been writing and acting aside from directing & producing. His short stories have been published in ‘Out!’, ‘Queer Potli’, ‘One Yesterday’. He has written for magazines such as ‘Elle’ and ‘Man’s World, and content written for ‘ClubM’ & ‘Dainik Jagran’, and on TV for ‘Rose Audiovisuals’.
As an actor, Ashish has been a presenter for Channel V’s ‘Fashion Police’, BITV’s ‘Anything Goes’ and for BBC’s- ‘India Style’. He has also done cameos in films such as ‘Luck by Chance’, ‘Zindagi Nahi Milegi Dobara’, ‘Made in Heaven’, ‘Gully Boy’, ‘The Archies’ & ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’, ‘Sitara’.
More recently, Ashish has been involved with DEIB activities, speaking on panels & featuring as a guest speaker.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C6_6Z62P3UO/
Recent Press Links
– The Quint: Netflix: The Big Day:Neon hot take Netflix The big day honest thoughts netflix india
-Otakukart: Netflix: The Big Day: https://otakukart.com/the-big-day-collection-2-netflix-reality-show-is-back/
-Decider: Netflix The Big Day: https://decider.com/2021/04/26/the-big-day-netflix-indian-weddings/
• Mans World Coming Out
• Huffington Post Coming Out
– DNA: Happy Hookers: Mumbai report three gay happy hookers wait for happier times 1008071
• Asianet MARD & PFI
• Midday MARD & PFI
– Out!: https://lareviewofbooks.org/short-takes/another-look-indias-books-stories-new-queer-india/
• 22 Questions to Ashish Sawhny The Wedding Filmer
–https://www.vervemagazine.in/arts-and-culture/queer-haunts-of-the-90s
–Firebrand writer ismat chughtais legacy through personal stories from her family
Campaign India ’24: https://www.campaignindia.in/article/a-queer-ful-journey-filled-with-disappointment-hope-fervour-and-acceptance/496631
Business World ’24: https://bwpeople.in/article/%E2%80%9Ci-was-denied-work-due-to-homophobia-in-society%E2%80%9D-523897
Man’s World ’24: https://www.mansworldindia.com/lifestyle/the-rise-of-celebrity-podcasts
Godrej & Gaysi: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5P1rP_IV2i/?img_index=1
European Union ’24: https://www.instagram.com/p/CtBfbNsPyOX/?img_index=1
Queering Indian Pop Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOwB9_0Lvec
European Union ’25: Queer Creatives Global: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/india/ashish-sawhny-director-writer-actor-india_en
European Union ‘25: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLB8ziPIQk5/
Britannia ‘25: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLfLVHaI-2N/
Kashish ‘25: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKXtsUqz8ml/
Ashish has produced/directed documentaries in the gender & LGBTQIA+ sphere- as well as commissioned documentary work for Australia, UK & USA. He has produced/directed Ethnographic films for Singapore, corporate videos for the British High Commission, Equiniti India, and a series of documentary digital stories for 101 India, International Olympic Channel, MARD, PFI, & The Wedding Filmer.
Over 2020-21, Ashish was series director on ‘The Big Day’, a 6 episode documentary series for Netflix. The series has made it to #1 in India and was trending in 8 other countries.