Documentary Storytelling for Social Impact

“Inequality among the citizens of the world is today probably as high as it has ever been, although this high point stands on a plateau of very high inequality rather than alone on a peak”  – Branko Milanovic, Development and Inequality specialist.

2 biggest forces that have shaped the world in last 250 years have been INDUSTRIALIZATION and GLOBALIZATION. While the former exploded our productivity and output, the later connected the whole world as one market. World economy experienced massive growth and rising incomes for peoples across several countries. Despite of all the strides the world has made in technological, financial and economic spheres, the level of inequality and extreme poverty is quite frankly, harrowing as well as baffling.

Says JACQUELINE NOVOGRATZ, founder and CEO of ACUMEN, which invests in enterprises tackling global poverty, “For too long, we had seen CAPITALISM GO UNQUESTIONED and witnessed unbridled markets overlook or exploit low-income communities, too often CREATING A CYCLE OF POVERTY AND INEQUALITY,”

Clearly, there is a NEED FOR a SOCIAL CHANGE– One that is rooted in lifting the fortunes of those at the bottom of the pyramid. They need access to water & sanitation, good healthcare, decent housing and above all a shot at better life. The world needs development that is INCLUSIVE, SUSTAINABLE and BOTTOM-UP. The Social Change has already started!

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP based on social innovation is emerging as a major driving force behind this social change. It blends the principles of modern business management with a passion for social impact. Many call it CONSCIOUS CAPITALISM. Social enterprises or social good brands operate on a triple bottom-line of PROFIT, PEOPLE AND PLANET.

More than 35 years ago, BILL DRAYTON coined the term social entrepreneurship when he founded ASHOKA CHANGEMAKERS to support social do-gooders involved in solving some of the biggest social problems. However, it was only in the last 10-15 years that social entrepreneurship started growing strongly particularly in the West with the emergence of SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING.

We at ROHANPOTDAR Creative Media are very excited to witness and experience the conspicuous emergence of NEW-AGE OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP in India. Though this phenomenon is in its early stages, it is in a very interesting phase and is a forerunner to some big changes awaiting to unfold over next few decades.

We believe that STORYTELLING through documentary filmmaking is the most effective way of amplifying and accelerating the social change taking place around us. We have a natural affinity for CHANGEMAKERS and INNOVATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVERS and feel at home in the environment in which they work in. We produce nonfiction multimedia stories through our films. We want the audience to feel sympathy and to be moved into desired action. Ideally, we would like to create a social movement through our work.

Our Mission Is To Use Documentary Storytelling For Social Impact

While we help social entrepreneurs, philanthropy organizations and impact investors tell their social impact story , we also create videos on topics related to documentary style storytelling through our blog ‘Creatively Unsettled’. 

We are proud of our collaboration with:

“I have had the pleasure of working with Rohan for two different projects over the course of 6 months. He puts a lot of thought into his work, not only in terms of creative ideation, but also strategic thinking around target audience and messaging. He has proven to be reliable , conscientious and responsive to feedback. I look forward to working with him again and would be happy to provide a direct recommendation if required”

– Deepak Menon, Regional Director, Village Capital

“Working with Rohan was a real pleasure. He is motivated to tell your story in the most effective way possible. He asks perceptive questions and ensures that everyone involved is comfortable with the process so that their true selves shine through.”

– Kate Cochran, CEO, Upaya Social Ventures

“Rohan has this amazing ability to delve down deep in the work you do and understand your passion towards it, through which he creates these amazing powerful stories that create a powerful impression on the audience.”

– Bhushan Trivedi is the Founder of Piconergy, providing clean, affordable and reliable energy access to the non/under-served households in India.

“Rohan is a passionate storyteller. He has the talent to create impactful stories with his amazing vocabulary and creative thinking ability. He is a truly conscientious person who exactly understands your idea quickly and gives attention to the smallest of detail in his stories. A must-needed companion for any social entrepreneur.”

– Tushar Vadera, CEO & Co-Founder, Innolat Technologies, an edtech startup focused on enhancing employability of graduates through its blended learning model.