Ayesha Khan, Chief Creative Officer, 1Gen
Women have become influential change agents in India’s huge media environment, crafting stories and spearheading programs that have a global influence. Indian women have not only thrived but also pioneered transformational storytelling that promotes social impact because of their creative talent and unrelenting devotion.
Ayesha Khan, who is the Chief Creative Officer of 1GEN right now, is a brilliant illustration of this story. Ayesha is an accomplished professional with a wealth of experience in telling captivating stories. She has skillfully navigated the ever-changing media and entertainment landscapes. Her work with famous firms like Sony Entertainment Television, Saregama India, and UTV has demonstrated her capacity to create and inspire. She has held significant roles in these organizations.
With a keen eye for innovation and a deep understanding of the power of storytelling, Ayesha brings a unique blend of creativity and strategic vision to her role at 1GEN. Here, she continues to lead the charge in leveraging the transformative potential of storytelling for social change and empowerment, driving forward the mission to make the world sustainable in one generation.
FROM AD FILMS TO THRILLING NARRATIVES
Following her graduation, Ms. Khan’s fervent love for storytelling propelled her toward obtaining a master’s degree in mass communication from Jamia Millia Islamia University. Commencing her professional journey at Box Office Productions, she has worked on ADs for famous companies such as Liril, Elle 18, and Surf Excel.
Transitioning to the realm of Hindi GEC Television, Ms. Khan assumed the roles of Assistant Director and Researcher for the thriller show ‘Kahani Jurm Ki’ on Star Plus, immersing herself in the exploration of real-life crime narratives. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed her fascination with television’s capacity to connect with the masses, which has fueled her endeavors over the past two decades. Collaborating with notable individuals like Siddharth Kak, Sriram Raghavan, Anubhav Sinha, and Shivam Nair, she has traversed diverse roles, ranging from post-production to Creative Director and Writer positions on GEC channels such as Sony, Star Plus, Star One, Colours and 9X.
Ms. Khan further highlighted her journey’s evolution, including directing a documentary film for social innovation titled “S.H.E-The Toilet Ninja,” underscoring her profound appreciation for every moment spent crafting compelling narratives.
1GEN IN A NUTSHELL
Six years ago, 1GEN Social Innovation ventured into the realm of Digital Technology, primarily focusing on providing technology solutions for organizations aiming to make a positive impact. Embracing their core philosophy of “Movie to Movement,” every individual at 1GEN collaborates to spotlight genuine narratives of changemakers effecting change in the realm of social impact.
In 2021, 1GEN broadened its horizons by establishing Purple Pod Pictures, a film and television production entity dedicated to amplifying impactful narratives and instilling hope.
WHILE AI CANNOT REPLICATE THE INTRICATE CREATIVE CAPABILITIES OF THE HUMAN MIND, IT OFFERS FILMMAKERS COST-EFFECTIVE AND INDEPENDENT OPTIONS TO ENHANCE
THEIR CRAFT
While firmly rooted in the realm of technology, Purple Pod Pictures utilizes social media, web applications, and mobile platforms to breathe life into these narratives and ignite meaningful dialogues.
INSIGHTS ON ADVANCEMENTS AND CHALLENGES IN THE FILM INDUSTRY
Ayesha Khan believes that the advancement in the film and television industry, particularly in terms of digital technology, is evident especially the advancements in the field of AI. She exhibits
an optimistic outlook for AI-powered applications aimed at enhancing creativity and storytelling.
In her recent documentary film, “S.H.E-The Toilet Ninja,” she innovated leveraging an AI tool to compose the entire music for the film, aligning with Gandhiji’s principle of self-reliance. Additionally, Ayesha is intrigued by the potential of AI-generated videos to assist writers in visualizing their ideas quickly, despite recognizing the challenges. “While AI cannot replicate
the intricate creative capabilities of the human mind, it offers filmmakers cost-effective and independent options to enhance their craft”, Ms. Khan shared.
When it comes to industry problems, Ayesha notes that it can be challenging to hold an audience’s interest in the face of a plethora of alternatives. This means that good storytelling in a condensed amount of time is necessary to produce lasting impact and entertainment value.
Another major obstacle is funding, which is why Ayesha and her group decided to self-fund the entire project and carefully divide the little resources across several tales.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE
Ayesha Khan finds inspiration and comfort in a variety of areas of her life. She considers Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights” to be one of the best love stories ever written, and it is one of her favorites. Hamburg, Germany is a holiday destination that is very dear to her. When it comes to
hobbies, Ayesha has been viewing movies for a long time; it’s more than just a hobby for her. She cites Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Alfred Hitchcock as her three favorite role models. Ayesha especially respects Witherspoon’s commitment to elevating women-centric narratives
and highlighting the contributions of female writers. Taking on a new role, she just had a baby boy and is currently embracing motherhood.
