Kireet Khurana

2022-06-09T17:39:10Z

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{{Short description|Indian animator (born 1967)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kireet Khurana
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1967|10|25}}
| birth_place = [[Mumbai]], India
| occupation = Filmmaker, animator, ad-film director
}}
'''Kireet Khurana''' (born 25 October 1967) is an Indian filmmaker, storyteller, and ad-film director.

He has made short films and ad films.<ref>{{cite web| title=Interview: Kireet Khurana| url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/interview-kireet-khurana-animation-filmmaker/1/118203.html| publisher=India Today| access-date=15 April 2012}}</ref> He is the director of India's first film combining live-action and [[3D film|3D]] animation called ''[[Toonpur Ka Superrhero]]'', starring [[Ajay Devgan]] and [[Kajol]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Toonpur is a very hectic place to live in| url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/toonpur-is-a-very-hectic-place-to-live-in-k/728396/| publisher=Indian Express| access-date=15 April 2012}}</ref> His 2018 feature film ''T for Taj Mahal'', produced by [[Abis Rizvi]], screened at the [[London Indian Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://scroll.in/reel/878430/in-kireet-khuranas-film-t-for-taj-mahal-butter-chicken-is-served-with-a-social-message|title=In Kireet Khurana's film 'T for Taj Mahal', butter chicken is served with a social message|last=Raman|first=Sruthi Ganapathy|work=Scroll.in|access-date=2018-09-10|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://urbanasian.com/entertainment/hollywood/2018/05/kireet-khuranas-t-for-taj-mahal-trailer-applauded-at-cannes-2018/|title=Kireet Khurana's T For Taj Mahal Trailer Applauded At Cannes 2018 {{!}} Urban Asian|date=2018-05-10|work=Urban Asian|access-date=2018-09-10|language=en-US}}</ref> It won the Best Feature Film Audience Award and Best Story Award at the DC South Asian Film Festival. His 2016 documentary on Indian film director [[Saeed Akhtar Mirza]], entitled ''Saeed Mirza: The Leftist Sufi'', released on [[Netflix]] in 2017. It was named among the top 10 documentaries of 2017 by [[Vogue India]] and [[The Hindu]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/passion-for-cinema/article19280341.ece|title=Passion for cinema|last=Chakraborty|first=Sucheta|date=2017-07-14|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-09-10|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vogue.in/content/7-indian-documentaries-you-cant-miss-on-netflix/|title=7 Indian documentaries you can't miss on Netflix|date=2017-05-09|website=VOGUE India|language=en-US|access-date=2018-09-10}}</ref>

He is also the creator of India's largest animation series, ''[[Vartmaan]]'', with animation pioneer Bhimsain.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Government's Protection and support is needed for nurturing local animation industry- Kireet Khurana|url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1518259|access-date=2021-12-18|website=pib.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Team|first=AnimationXpress|date=2017-09-13|title=The Origins of Indian Animation : From Ram Mohan and Bhimsain Khurana to Kireet|url=https://www.animationxpress.com/latest-news/the-origins-of-indian-animation-from-ram-mohan-and-bhimsain-khurana-to-kireet/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=AnimationXpress|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Educational Alliances in India: Fueling Future Growth|url=https://www.awn.com/vfxworld/educational-alliances-india-fueling-future-growth|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Animation World Network|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-04-18|title=Ek chidiya Anek Chidiya director and animation pioneer Bhimsain dies at 81|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/ek-chidiya-anek-chidiya-director-and-animation-pioneer-bhimsain-dies-at-81/story-PvF1degmYog6nI4Lf804vK.html|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

==Personal==
His exposure to animation films started from age six due his father, [[Bhimsain]]. Kireet attended the [[Jamnabai Narsee School]] and later completed a BA with a major in economics from the [[University of Mumbai]]. Soon thereafter, he went on to graduate in 1994 from [[Sheridan College]], Canada, with honors, in animation filmmaking.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kireet Khurana {{!}} Climb Media|url=https://www.climbmedia.com/definers-kireet-khurana/|access-date=2021-12-18|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Broadcast & Film 2021|url=http://www.broadcastandfilm.com/FeatureDetail.aspx?pressid=pressRe16&id=news|access-date=2021-12-18|website=www.broadcastandfilm.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|author=Priya Verma |date=October 29, 2010 |title=Interview: Kireet Khurana, Animation filmmaker|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20101108-interview-kireet-khurana-animation-filmmaker-744592-2010-10-29|access-date=2021-12-18|magazine=India Today|language=en}}</ref>

==Career==
He has made films titled Saeed Mirza: The Leftist Sufi, Adventures of Chhota Birbal TV series<ref>{{cite web|title=Adventures of Chhota Birbal on Cartoon Network from October 4|url=http://www.afaqs.com/news/company_briefs/index.html?id=1470_Adventures+of+Chhota+Birbal+on+Cartoon+Network+from+October+4|publisher=afaqs!|access-date=15 April 2012}}</ref> .''[[Detective Naani]]'' (2009) (animation director)<ref>{{cite web|title=Full cast and crew for Detective Naani|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0893585/fullcredits#cast|publisher=IMDb|access-date=16 April 2012}}</ref>

== Social causes and activism ==
Kireet's acclaimed film ''T for Taj Mahal''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Correspondent|first=BizAsia|date=2021-03-24|title=LIFF announces 'T for Taj Mahal' to screen online this week|url=https://www.bizasialive.com/liff-announces-t-for-taj-mahal-to-screen-online-this-week/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=BizAsia {{!}} Media, Entertainment, Showbiz, Brit, Events and Music|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Virone|first=Oriana|date=2018-06-13|title=Film Review: T for Taj Mahal (2018) by Kireet Khurana|url=https://asianmoviepulse.com/2018/06/film-review-t-for-taj-mahal-2018-by-kireet-khurana/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Asian Movie Pulse|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-07-02|title=London Indian Film Festival 2018: T for Taj Mahal Review|url=https://www.desiblitz.com/content/london-indian-film-festival-2018-t-for-taj-mahal|access-date=2021-12-18|website=DESIblitz|language=en}}</ref>

His latest documentary feature film ''The Invisible Visible'' on the estimated 70 million homeless population of India,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-18|title=In his latest film, Kireet Khurana presents telling tales of India's poor and homeless|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/art-and-culture/kireet-khurana-film-ek-koshish-india-poor-homeless-6465041/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> has been hailed as ‘The Reel Change Agent’ by [[The New Indian Express]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Reel change agent: Kireet Khurana's 'The Invisble Visible' is a battle to find dignity for the homeless|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2021/oct/24/reel-change-agentkireet-khuranas-the-invisble-visibleisa-battle-to-find-dignity-for-the-homeless-2374385.html|access-date=2021-12-18|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> and ‘A documentary with a throbbing heart' by [[The Hindu]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=Anuj|date=2021-10-24|title=Kireet Khurana's 'The Invisible Visible': Beggary is not a choice, it's the last resort|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/beggary-is-not-a-choice-its-the-last-resort/article37145967.ece|access-date=2021-12-18|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The film is part of a campaign to provide succour to the millions of homeless in India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Team|first=Tellychakkar|title=Director Kireet Khurana's film 'The Invisible Visible,' is a crusade against the draconian Anti-Beggary Law 1959|url=https://www.tellychakkar.com/movie/movie-news/director-kireet-khurana-s-film-the-invisible-visible-crusade-against-the-draconian|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Tellychakkar.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Das|first=Shruti|date=2021-10-26|title="We documented stories of the homeless, in a humane light"|url=https://thepatriot.in/2021/10/26/we-documented-stories-of-the-homeless-in-a-humane-light/|access-date=2021-12-18|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-11|title=Filmmaker Kireet Khurana: Conventional Cinema Won't be Around for Too Long|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/filmmaker-kireet-khurana-conventional-cinema-wont-be-around-for-too-long-4425422.html|access-date=2021-12-18|website=News18|language=en}}</ref>

Kireet has made several films on various causes like award-winning ''Trade'' (on [[child prostitution]]) and ''Locked'' (on [[child labour]]) as part of the Rights from the Heart series funded by [[UNICEF]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rights From the Heart Collection Part 3 (Ages 13 - 17)|url=https://www.nfb.ca/playlist/rights-heart-collection-part-3-ages-13-17/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=National Film Board of Canada|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Canada|first=National Film Board of|title=Trade|url=https://www.nfb.ca/film/trade/|language=en|access-date=2021-12-18}}</ref>

He has also worked on award–winning film ''Sand Castle'' (on [[Pedophilia|paedophilia]]),<ref>{{Cite web|last=Team|first=AnimationXpress|date=2006-11-16|title=Metaphor Studios wins award for Sand Castle|url=https://www.animationxpress.com/animation/metaphor-studios-wins-award-for-sand-castle/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=AnimationXpress|language=en-US}}</ref> and 5 films for [[Childline India]] on various issues like [[education]], [[child marriage]] and [[child abuse]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-05-18|title=Climb Media & Childline's 2D animation short 'Komal' bags National Award; travels the globe to educate on child sexual abuse|url=https://www.animationxpress.com/latest-news/climb-media-travels-the-globe-to-educate-on-child-sexual-abuse/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=AnimationXpress|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Break the silence|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-break-the-silence-1982103|access-date=2021-12-18|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Giving voice to images|url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/IFFI-2014-/Giving-voice-to-images-/81970|access-date=2021-12-18|website=oHeraldo}}</ref>

His National award-winning film ''Komal'' on [[child sexual abuse]] has been shown to millions and been made compulsory viewing in schools in India.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-08-04|title=National award winning film on child abuse to be shown in PMC schools|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/national-award-winning-film-on-child-abuse-to-be-shown-in-pmc-schools/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

Kireet is also a fellow for the prestigious Aspire Circle, a fellowship program for social leaders that promotes enlightened social leadership.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Balyan|first=Harshvardhan|title=Kireet Khurana|url=https://aspirecircle.org/people/kireet-khurana/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=Aspire Circle|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Awards===

====''Trade''====
''Trade'' is a film on [[child prostitution]].
It was the first [[Indo-Canadian]] animation co-production with the [[National Film Board of Canada]] and [[UNICEF]]<ref name="Trade on NFB Canada">{{cite web|title=Trade|url=http://www.nfb.ca/explore-all-directors/kireet-khurana|publisher=National Film Board Canada|access-date=31 March 2012}}</ref> It also won the [[National Film Awards|National Award]] for Best Animation Film Direction in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|title=National Film Awards, India 1998|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000467/1998|publisher=IMDb|access-date=16 April 2012}}</ref>

====''Chotta Birbal''====
''Chotta Birbal'' won the Seagate Technical Award for Excellence in 2004 for Best Animated Series. Chhota Birbal is also the first Indian animation character to be licensed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Adventures of Chhota Birbal on Cartoon Network from October 4|url=http://www.afaqs.com/news/company_briefs/index.html?id=1470_Adventures+of+Chhota+Birbal+on+Cartoon+Network+from+October+4|publisher=AFAQs|access-date=31 March 2012}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Khurana, Kireet}}
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian animators]]
[[Category:Indian filmmakers]]
[[Category:Indian film producers]]
[[Category:Indian animated film directors]]
[[Category:Indian animated film producers]]
[[Category:Film directors from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Sheridan College animation program alumni]]
[[Category:University of Mumbai alumni]]

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Kireet Khurana