Vikash Nowlakha

Based in Mumbai

Vikash Nowlakha is a member of the ISC and a highly regarded cinematographer known for his distinctive visual style across films, documentaries, and global advertising. With a career spanning over two decades, he has built a reputation for combining technical precision with a strong narrative sensibility, working across both large-scale productions and intimate storytelling.

Graduating in Eastern Philosophy and Environmental Economics from the University of Tasmania, Vikash discovered his passion for film as a means of expression, exploring meaning and the human condition. His visual interests further developed during his time as a producer at MTV in the late 1990s, eventually leading him to cinematography. In 2001, he trained at the New York Film Academy, working on 16mm films and independent projects, and won Best Cinematography for The Intruder at the Torello International Film Festival in 2002.

Since then, his career has spanned documentaries, music videos, commercials, and feature films. His advertising work includes global campaigns for brands such as Maserati, BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Yamaha, Honda, Lexus, Skoda, Vespa, Fiat, Nike, Adidas, and the New York Knicks, earning recognition at Cannes Lions, Abby Awards, Kyoorius, Goafest, and more.

His film work includes Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009), Brahmastra Part One: Shiva (2022), Bloody Brothers (2022), and Laapataa Ladies (2024), along with acclaimed documentary projects like David Attenborough’s The Green Planet and The Year the Earth Changed.

Most recently, his work as Director of Photography on Dhurandhar (2025) and its sequel Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026) stands out as a major success, with his cinematography playing a key role in shaping the scale and visual identity of the films.

Social Media Handle:

Instagram: @vik_now

Here are Vikash Nowlakha's Top Ad Picks that have inspired him through the years:

1. Smirnoff - Message in a Bottle

2. Magnum - 5 Senses

3. Guinness - Surfer