Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 19: The department of media studies at St Aloysius (Deemed to be) University, in collaboration with Saltsnap, organized a national-level seminar on 'Lights, camera, and entrepreneurship' at Robert Sequeira Hall. The event sought to foster entrepreneurial thinking among students in the creative arts, bringing together aspiring media professionals for a day of insightful discussions, dialogue, and creative exchange.
The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries, followed by a welcome address from Bhavya Shetty, head of the department of media studies. In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of nurturing innovation and leadership within academic spaces to prepare students for the rapidly evolving media landscape.
Dr Rose Veera and Dr Loveena Lobo, guests of honour, spoke about the transformative role of media in shaping entrepreneurial ecosystems. Delivering the presidential address, Dr Charles V Furtado, director of the admin block and president of the seminar, encouraged students to embrace creativity, collaboration, and bold thinking.
The keynote session featured acclaimed filmmaker Sneha Shetty Kohli, a proud daughter of Mangaluru. Based in Mumbai, she has more than 18 years of experience in the Bollywood film industry and is recognized for her versatility across action, romance, and comedy. Her body of work includes directing web series, advertisements, and some of India’s most popular music videos, such as the chartbuster Genda Phool starring Badshah and Jacqueline Fernandez (with over a billion views), Naagin (with over 423 million views), Diljit Dosanjh’s Love Ya, Pyaar Aata Hai featuring Ishaan Khattar and Tara Sutaria, and Siddharth Shukla’s final music video Dil Ko Karaar Aaya.
She has also been a longtime associate of ace director Rohit Shetty, contributing to blockbuster films including Chennai Express, Simmba, Sooryavanshi, and Singham.
In a dynamic conversation moderated by Letitia D’Costa, PR associate at Saltsnap Media and psychologist, Kohli reflected on her journey - from a childhood fascination with cameras to becoming a successful director. She highlighted the power of persistence, the importance of focus, and the value of silent dedication to one’s craft.
“If you truly want something and work relentlessly for it, it will happen,” she said, urging students to detach from distractions and commit fully to their dreams. She described the media industry as one that appears glamorous from the outside but demands intense discipline, time management, and resilience. “Those sleepless nights and hard work give you wings,” she added.
Kohli further emphasized the importance of teamwork, encouraging young professionals to support one another and grow collectively. She noted the encouraging shift in gender dynamics within the industry, pointing out that women are increasingly recognized for their talent and leadership, with the field now approaching balanced representation.
Students actively engaged in the session, posing thoughtful questions on cinematography, direction, and career-building. Kohli advised them to begin small — even with phone cameras — and to share their work publicly. “Creativity often flourishes when resources are limited,” she remarked, underscoring the value of budgeting and innovation.
Addressing current industry trends, she pointed to the rise of short-form vertical content on social media platforms. She also encouraged collaboration among actors, crew members, and scriptwriters to enrich storytelling.
Concluding on a personal note, Kohli expressed her affection for Mangaluru, calling it her “healing space,” and hinted at several exciting projects currently in the pipeline.
The seminar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where students gained practical insights and encouragement to pursue their creative ambitions
This initiative by the department of media studies reflects St Aloysius University’s commitment to bridging academic learning with real-world enterprise, empowering students to become the next generation of media innovators.