Ekant Babani joins Shekhar Suman Film Academy as partner and COO

MUMBAI: Shekhar Suman Film Academy has appointed Ekant Babani as partner and chief operating officer, bringing over 25 years of experience across film, television and digital media into its leadership team.

The move comes as the academy, founded by Shekhar Suman, positions itself as a new-age training ground for actors and storytellers. Babani will play a key role in shaping the academy’s structure, from designing industry-relevant programmes to ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.

Working closely with Suman, Babani is expected to translate the academy’s creative vision into a practical and immersive learning experience. His mandate includes building a system that balances artistic ambition with professional rigour.

Babani’s career spans multiple facets of the entertainment industry. Starting on the creative side with ad films and feature projects, he went on to create award-winning short films such as Mudra and Anonymous. He later moved into non-fiction, directing lifestyle and adventure shows for global platforms.

He also founded Alligator Media Productions, delivering content for platforms including ZEE5 and brands like Kellogg’s India. His portfolio includes series like Damaged and Skyfire, along with a feature film that travelled to multiple international festivals.

In addition to his creative work, Babani has held leadership roles at organisations such as EndemolShine India, Tangerine Digital Entertainment and Travelxp, contributing to content strategy and platform growth.

Speaking on the role, Ekant Babani said, “The idea is not just to build an academy, but to create a space that genuinely prepares people for what the industry demands today.”

As SSFA opens registrations for its inaugural batch, the appointment signals a clear push towards building a training ecosystem that is grounded in real-world industry experience while staying future-ready.