By Letitia Nathalia D'Costa

Mangaluru, Aug 5: In the heart of Mumbai’s fast-paced film industry, where scripts shift overnight and set blaze with lights and ambition, there’s one storyteller who carries the fragrance of mallige and the soul of the coast with her that is Sneha Shetty Kohli. She is the girl who made ‘Genda Phool’ explode on screens across the world, yet still loves the natural springs of Kadri Temple, eats buns at Taj Mahal Hotel in Mangaluru, and never forgets to pack a bunch of jasmine when flying back to Mumbai.

Sneha hails from the quaint village of Mangalpady, nestled near Mangaluru. Raised in a big, joint family, she carries the values of community, devotion, and deep-rooted culture into everything she does. Her life, though now framed by movie sets, spotlights, and cinematic spectacle, began in the rustic simplicity of Tulunadu, a world where temple bells, coastal breeze, and devasthana da vanas form an integral part of her homecoming every time she sets foot in Namma Ooru. She is family oriented and was deeply attached to her late amma Yashodha and ajja Narayan Shetty. Whenever she returns home, her itinerary is sacred, with visits to the Udupi Krishna Mutt, seeking blessings at Kadri Temple, sipping on goli soda, feasting on temple food, and wrapping herself in a cotton saree that smells of jasmine. On her return to Mumbai this Kudla girl turns into a powerhouse of talent behind the lens.

Sneha’s journey in cinema began behind the scenes of some of Bollywood’s biggest blockbusters. As chief assistant director under Rohit Shetty, she worked on hits like Chennai Express, Singham, Dilwale, and Golmaal Again. This chapter of her life sharpened her skills in scale, speed, and seamless execution. But even as she learned to run tight ships, she was quietly dreaming about telling her own stories. Her ability to fuse striking visuals with emotionally resonant storytelling has made her a sought-after name in the industry. Over the years, she has collaborated with some of Bollywood’s most versatile performers like Sidharth Malhotra, Ayushmann Khurrana, Ajay Devgn and Diljit Dosanjh with each project reflecting not only her sharp directorial eye but also her gift for drawing out layered, compelling performances that linger with audiences long after the screen fades to black.

That dream came alive when she stepped into the spotlight as a director of music videos. With projects like Naagin, Hermosa, and the much-celebrated Genda Phool featuring Badshah and Jacqueline Fernandez, Sneha proved she could not only handle spectacle but create it. Genda Phool, with its bold colours, vibrant choreography, and stunning aesthetics, was shot in just one day which is a feat of speed, vision, and impeccable planning. Under her direction, even Badshah’s daring stunt was executed with cinematic flair and total confidence.

But Sneha is not just about visual grandeur, she is equally capable of storytelling that touches the heart. In Tanhaai, a soulful rock ballad starring Tulsi Kumar and Zain Imam, Sneha shifted gears completely. Shot during the pandemic and pouring Mumbai monsoons, the video explores solitude, heartbreak, and resilience. Tulsi Kumar, who co-conceptualized the project and even learned guitar for it, delivered a raw performance that Sneha shaped with emotional precision. This marked a turning point in her creative voice, one that’s more vulnerable, introspective, and powerful in its silence.

Then came Pyaar Aata Hain, her most visually poetic piece yet. Shot in the icy valleys of Pahalgam and Betaab Valley in Kashmir, the video stars Ishaan Khatter and Tara Sutaria in a wintery romance that blends intimacy with breathtaking scale. The shoot tested every limit with sub-zero temperatures, heavy snowfall, and logistical chaos. But Sneha’s calm demeanour called it a “project with God’s hand in it.” Tara, recovering from a viral fever, and Ishaan, braving the chill in a sheer shirt, gave their best, and Sneha captured it all with the finesse of a seasoned auteur. A true Kudla star, Sneha carries the essence of the coast in everything she creates, and platforms like SaltSnap Media House are working steadily to ensure that such homegrown talents not only shine on national stages but are also celebrated and recognised in their very own hometowns.

What sets Sneha apart is not merely her ability to navigate contrasts like fire and snow, but the deep sincerity and heart she brings to every piece of her work. Her home in Mumbai may be filled with call sheets, edit reels, and studio meetings, but it has a strong fragrance of jasmine from Mangaluru, the chants of temple bhajans, and simmers with the flavours of her hometown. She wears her roots like a second skin, and every frame she directs is infused with a touch of that coastal soul.

Sneha Shetty Kohli is not just a name behind viral videos; she’s Kudla’s very own. A girl from a small village with big dreams who worked hard, stayed grounded, and made her way to the top while staying true to her roots. She is redefining what it means to be a woman in the film industry in India by blending devotion, tradition, with trend, and memories with magic.

She may be taking Bollywood by storm, but for those watching her from Mangaluru, she will always be the mallige poo loving, saree-wearing, temple-visiting superstar, a true daughter of the soil, and Kudla’s shining star. She is not just following trends; she is setting them.

For collaborations or inquiries, one may reach out to her through SaltSnap at hello@saltsnap.com or connect directly with Letitia D’Costa at ?+91 87229 69426.