Wasim Maner

Wasim Maner is a trained motion picture photographer, a self learned film director, a painter, a cobber (hand sculptured house maker) and a passionate writer. He completed his B.Sc. Zoology (first class with distinction) in 2002 from Mudhoji College, Phaltan under Shivaji University Kolhapur, Maharashtra India. With keen interest in wildlife as a child wildlife enthusiast, Wasim started working as a field assistant for a wildlife project in grasslands when he was a teenager under the famous environmentalist, Dr. Erach Bharucha. This interest lead him to study zoology for graduation only to realize that wandering in nature and taking pictures has very little to do with actual serious research. Art had more appeal to him than science. He took a break from science to teach painting and sculpture in Kamala Nimbkar Balbhavan. This is school with a difference where Wasim himself had studied. In Kamala Nimbkhar Balbhavan he coordinated a collaborative art education program between Rewachand Bhojwani Academy, Pune. It was funded by India Foundation for the Arts of Bangalore. This experience confirmed his path in arts and cinema. He did two short term courses (2003 and 2006) in motion picture photography in Vikhsi Institute of Media Studies, Pune. Wasim went to Centre for Education and Documentation (CED) in Bangalore to work as one man film unit after his media studies in 2004-05. He worked there for eleven moths making 3 films in sustainable development sector. Wasim worked as freelance cameraman after Bangalore assignment for a few months in Pune and started his production house Biroba Films Private Limited in December 2005. Since then he is running the house making commissioned films and independent productions. He has made films for Bombay Natural History Society-BNHS (learning underwater diving to shoot Lakshadweep marine life), Pragat shikshan Sanstha-PSS, Grammangal, Quality Education Support Trust-QUEST. Wasim entered business of full length cinema in 2011 by making his first Marathi feature film called HOU DE JARASA USHIR (LET THERE BE A LITTLE DELAY) which was critically acclaimed for its different subject and was in lime light for its maiden run for Oscar main competition in 2012. Wasim has keen interest in graphic designing, illustrations and print technology. He has worked as offset printing machine operator and has printed number of books, leaflets and posters in his college days. AS an adjunct faculty, Wasim started teaching film direction and cinematography at Indira School of Communication and as a visiting faculty, he teaches in Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication Under-graduate (SIMC-UG)-both in Pune. With experience of working in the field of education for eight years, Wasim developed interest in educational leadership. He joined PSS to help visioning, organizational planning, policy and strategic decision making. Currently Wasim is Coordinating Officer of Pragat Shikshan Sanstha, a 30 year old esteemed organization working in the field of education. Wasim has recently joined (2013) a Delhi based film production house called BUZZ FILMS to handle their operations in Mumbai for Hindi film productions. As a sensitive young man Wasim was acutely aware of the gender inequality and social injustice around him. It not only reflected in his writings and other work but also involved him with people and organisations working for gender and social equality. He was a speaker at 2nd Menengage Regional Symposium at Pune and spoke about women and their representation in films. He was a delegate at 2nd men engage global symposium in Delhi where 1500 participants from 94 countries were present. In 2013 Wasim was a speaker in 'Consultation on women in India-Articulating a vision for 2030', organised by High Level Committee in Women's Studies in India & Ministry of Women and Child Development at New Delhi . He voiced the need for cultivating peace and employment for women at grass root level.