TEDxMICA

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Antara Lahiri

  Film Editor

  She is a storyteller who defines the rhythm of modern Indian cinema, an FTII alumna and a visionary film editor, she has shaped the narratives of iconic titles like the gritty Delhi Crime, the vibrant Four More Shots Please!, and the acclaimed Shakuntala Devi. Beyond her mastery of the edit suite, she is a dedicated mentor and host of the podcast The Finest Cut, where she bridges the gap between professional practice and the next generation of creators.

• Arman Ali

  Disability Rights Activist, Executive Director NCPEDP

  Arman Ali is one of India’s foremost disability rights leaders and the Executive Director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP). With over two decades of experience, he has led landmark initiatives, advised national and global institutions, and shaped disability-inclusive public policy across sectors, including elections, health insurance, and accessibility. A National Award recipient, he is widely recognized for his sustained work in building inclusive systems.

• Balram Vishwakarma

  Writer and Cultural Researcher. Founder, @AndheriWestShitPosting

  Balram Vishwakarma is a Mumbai-based writer and cultural researcher who studies everyday life through food, labour, caste, and the city. Grounded in fieldwork and lived experience from a migrant working-class household, his writing focuses on voices rarely present in public discourse. Through essays and interviews, he examines how migration, power, and memory shape ordinary urban lives.

• Dr. Swaroop Savanur

  Mental Conditioning & Peak Performance Coach

  Dr. Swaroop Savanur is a distinguished Mental Conditioning and Peak Performance Coach with over two decades of experience navigating high-pressure environments. Having trained elite athletes across the Punjab Kings IPL team, the Indian Football Team, and Olympic squads, he is a master at unlocking human potential. Dr. Savanur redefines mindset not just as motivation, but as a trainable skill. By bridging performance psychology with lived field experience, he empowers individuals to master internal direction and decision-making under extreme stress.

• Harman Singha

  Actor, Writer, & Producer

  Harman Singha is an actor, writer, and creative professional whose journey into storytelling is shaped as much by lived experience as by performance. Raised in an army family and having spent years in the Merchant Navy, his transition to acting brings a rare sense of discipline, observation, and emotional grounding to his work. From co-writing and starring in A.I.SHA - My Virtual Girlfriend to nuanced performances in Potluck, The Trip, Big Girls Don’t Cry, and The Family Man, he consistently gravitates towards characters shaped by inner conflict and social context. His work reflects a sustained curiosity for how stories travel across formats, platforms, and lives.

• Nirali Bhatia

  Cyber Psychologist

  Nirali Bhatia is a psychotherapist, corporate trainer, cyber psychology expert, and the founder director of Cyber Wellness Foundation. Working at the intersection of mental health, technology, and human behavior, her work examines how digital environments influence emotions, identity, relationships, and decision-making. Through therapy, training, and advocacy, she works closely with individuals and organizations to build healthier and more conscious relationships with technology in an increasingly connected world.

• Nitesh Mohanty

  Visual Artist

  Nitesh Mohanty is a visual artist, educator, and cultural thinker whose work moves across art, design, photography, cinema, and philosophy. Trained at Sir J.J. School of Art and NID Ahmedabad, he has spent over a decade creating and teaching ways of seeing that connect image, text, and lived experience. A co-founder of The Root and curator of The Root Reel, he has consistently foregrounded stories that engage with culture, politics, and ecology. He currently works out of his studio, PLORK School of Thought in Goa, where he continues to think, make, and teach across disciplines.

• Sadaf Hussain

  Author, Chef & Food Writer

  Sadaf Hussain is an author, chef, and food writer whose work explores food as culture, memory, and anthropology. A MasterChef India (2016) finalist, he co-hosts the award-winning Naan Curry podcast and authored Masala Mandi, documenting over 450 regional spice blends. Through immersive dining, research collaborations, and writing, he examines identity, labor, power, and belonging—using food as a serious way to understand society.