storiesbynams

Hey there! I’m Namrata Agrawal, an independent artist with a diverse background in performing arts, applied theatre, and writing.
An engineer and MBA turned artist, my journey has been nothing short of cinematic. After years of exploring different paths, I found my true calling in storytelling — as an actor and screenwriter.

With a deep love for stories that reflect human experiences, I transitioned into a full-time artistic career in July 2024, after five years in applied theatre, acting, and creative writing, along with over seven years in the corporate world across HR operations, sales, and content writing.

Currently, I’m working on creating spec scripts and stories for micro-dramas, mini-series, and feature films, exploring different formats and genres to strengthen my storytelling voice. A short film that I wrote and co-produced — a psychological thriller exploring fractured realities — is in post-production.

I’m also refining my craft through regular acting sessions with various groups and writing with Spiralbound, run by Boman Irani. Previously, I interned as a writer under Nikhil Mehrotra, the acclaimed screenwriter behind Chhichhore, Dangal, and Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl.

Earlier, I collaborated with LifeUnscripted, a Bengaluru-based management consulting firm, as a freelance actor, facilitator, and content writer, working with clients like SONY, BEL, Novozymes, WeWork, and HAL. My projects there focused on theatre-based interventions around themes such as gender equality, unconscious bias, mental health awareness, collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and POSH at the workplace.

Some of my notable achievements include creating a short film and mono-act for the IFP 50-Hour Challenge, exploring human relationships and mental health. I also participated in multiple IFP categories — writing, performing arts, and filmmaking — and collaborated with creative teams to co-develop screenplays for short films.

Through all these experiences, I continue to evolve as an artist, driven by my love for crafting meaningful stories that resonate with people and reflect the world around us.

I've had the privilege of training under several accomplished professionals across various disciplines of film and theatre, with each experience shaping my creative journey in unique ways.

My formal journey began in November 2017 with a Basic Theatre in Acting course under the guidance of Nandini Rao, which laid a strong foundation in performance and stagecraft. In November 2019, I expanded my cinematic perspective through a Film Appreciation Course conducted by FTII, taught by Sudipto Acharya, where I delved into the aesthetics and language of cinema.

In August 2022, I furthered my acting skills at the Rangshila Acting Workshop led by Sachin Malvi—a multi-talented screenwriter, director, and theatre practitioner. Then in March 2024, I took a significant step into direction with the Fundamentals of Film Direction course by FTII, learning directly from National Award-winning filmmakers Avinash Roy and Jasmine Kaur Roy.

In April 2024, I explored the nuances of voice in performance and expression through the Tools of Voice and Acting workshop facilitated by Shikhar Mishra (also known as Theatrewala). This was followed by The Art of Scriptwriting workshop in October 2024, led by acclaimed screenwriter Nikhil Mehrotra.

To deepen my understanding of the films, I joined spiralbound in December 2024, a space curated by Boman Irani. Around the same time, I enrolled in The Art and Business of Producing Films, an intensive course taught by Miriam Joseph, known for her work on Don, Trial by Fire, and Luck by Chance.

To stay consistent in my writing journey and continue developing my voice as a storyteller, I became part of the Storython community under the mentorship of Ankit Kothari,  National Film Award Winner of the short film Paanchika.