Fazil NC

The author is a documentary filmmaker based in Kerala and the founder of Bahr Films, who has been working with communities, coastlines, and culture for over a decade. They have documented grassroots stories across India, including climate-related narratives, Kashmiri youth culture, indigenous festivals, and water festivals like the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. They have worked for development organisations and initiated independent passion projects in the Lakshadweep Islands, alongside line producing for broadcasters including National Geographic and History TV. They are currently directing a film on whale shark conservation for the Wildlife Trust of India. In their view, environmental work in this domain is still not treated as a specialisation or given the scientific grounding it deserves. Through this fellowship, they aim to report from hard-to-reach places where they have established access, such as the Lakshadweep Islands and the remotest parts of the Kashmir Valley. They hope to build a firmer foundation in water science and policy so their stories land as both relevant and immediate.