Meenal Agarwal

Based in Mumbai

Meenal Agarwal brings over 15 years of multidisciplinary experience to film and advertising, with a creative journey that began not on a set—but in a newsroom. A former photojournalist with Mid-Day in the early 1990s, Meenal honed her eye for framing, texture, and light by documenting the ever-changing streets of Bombay. From hand-processing film rolls to shooting portraits for Dom Moraes’ Sunday columns, her early career laid the foundation for the meticulous visual storytelling she’s now known for.

Her transition from photography to production design began in 2003, fuelled by an expanding curiosity for composition, textiles, architecture, and visual culture. Her debut film as a production designer was Mixed Doubles (2006), and since then, she has shaped the visual identity of acclaimed films like Qala, Bulbbul, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Pari, and Ankhon Dekhi—each marked by distinctive, emotionally resonant set designs.

Meenal’s aesthetic mastery is deeply influenced by her understanding of how light interacts with surfaces. She’s especially drawn to using glass, velvet, and reflective textures, often designing with a deep sensitivity to how these materials photograph under specific lighting conditions. In Qala, for instance, she translated a character’s inner state of depression into hauntingly atmospheric spaces, making emotion tangible through design.

In advertising, her portfolio includes work for brands like Olay, Google, Faces Canada, Indriya Jewels, and the action-packed series Citadel: Hunny Bunny. Whether it’s a period drama or a beauty campaign, she collaborates closely with cinematographers and costume designers to create cohesive, layered worlds.

Social Media Handles: Instagram: @lifaafa_