Shakun Batra

Based in Mumbai

Shakun Batra is a Mumbai-based filmmaker, screenwriter, and the Founder and Executive Producer of Jouska Films, a production house associated with a contemporary cinematic sensibility.

A graduate of St. Stephen’s College in New Delhi, Shakun began his journey in cinema working as an assistant director on films like Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na and Rock On!! before making his directorial debut with the offbeat romantic comedy Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (2012).

Shakun Batra is known for his deep understanding of human emotions, which he weaves into his films with a strong emphasis on visual aesthetics and nuanced storytelling. At the Good Ads Matter Awards 2025, he served as a Jury Member in the Film Craft category for Writing in Advertising. Under his production house, Jouska Films, the ad for Tira – The House Party received widespread acclaim, winning Gold in Film Craft (Costume & Styling, Colour Grading, and Production Design / Art Direction) and a Silver in Film Craft – Cinematography (Montage, Online).

Beyond feature filmmaking, Shakun has built a reputation in advertising, working with brands like Uber, Spotify, and Google. Notable campaigns include Opportunity featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Konkana Sen Sharma, the Lenskart campaign with Karan Johar and Kiara Advani, and the Bellavita ad ft. The Great Khali.

He continued to explore familial dynamics with Kapoor & Sons (2016)—an ensemble family drama that earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay and the IIFA Award for Best Story in 2017. In 2022, Shakun directed Gehraiyaan, an Amazon Prime Video original starring Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa, Rajat Kapoor, and Naseeruddin Shah. The film was produced under Dharma Productions in collaboration with Viacom18 Studios and Jouska Films.

With Jouska Films, Shakun has introduced, Jouska AI, which marks the company’s foray into the next phase of advertising, exploring emerging technologies and AI-driven creative. He is also the first Indian filmmaker to collaborate with Google on an experimental AI-driven storytelling initiative, exploring how emerging technologies can reshape narrative form solutions.

Social Media Handles:

• Instagram - @shakunbatra

• YouTube - Jouska Films