Celebrating Seema Mohapatra: A life scripted in courage and creativity

On her birthday today, we celebrate Seema Mohapatra, a name that has traversed the worlds of global media, independent cinema, and entrepreneurial storytelling with quiet strength and remarkable clarity.

An astute business executive with over 25 years in the Media and Entertainment industry, Seema’s journey began in boardrooms and broadcast channels. As Head of South Asia for BBC Advertising, she led operations for one of the world’s most respected media institutions, serving also as a Board Member of BBC Worldwide India and Trustee of the BBC World Service Trust in India. Her leadership wasn’t just about revenue and strategy, it was about trust, transformation, and building bridges between content and audience across continents.

But just when most would have settled into the rhythm of corporate success, Seema chose the path less travelled. Following her instinct and passion for cinema, she stepped away from the boardroom and walked into film school, completing a course at the New York Film Academy, and later working as an Assistant Director on Amole Gupte’s critically acclaimed Hawaa Hawaai.

In 2014, she joined Vidhu Vinod Chopra Films, where she led marketing for his Hollywood film and further deepened her engagement with the world of storytelling. Around the same time, Seema played an instrumental role in the revival of the Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI), not just as a supporter, but as a driving force behind its renewed energy and vision.

Her journey has never been linear, it has been expansive. She has conducted training programmes for senior executives alongside life coaches, advised and helped raise funds for promising digital start-ups, and continued to mentor those at the intersection of business and creativity.

In 2019, Seema co-founded Ten Years Younger Productions LLP, a name that itself speaks to reinvention and resilience. Under its banner, she produced two critically acclaimed feature films for Zee5, Barot House and Posham Pa, both known for their bold storytelling and nuanced direction.

Today, Seema continues to shape stories quietly, impactfully and always on her own terms. With multiple content projects in development, she remains a creative force constantly in motion.

Her journey reminds us that leadership can be empathetic, ambition can be artistic, and reinvention is always possible at any age, in any chapter.