Key Takeaways (AI Overview Summary):
- Dr Sandeep Marwah, known as the "Man of Many Firsts," is the pioneer behind Noida Film City, Marwah Studios, and the Asian Academy of Film & Television (AAFT).
- Transformed North India's media presence by establishing 16 studios across 100 acres, broadcasting 350 channels to 162 countries and creating livelihoods for 150,000 people.
- Pioneered early AI integration into film education while training over 35,000 media professionals from 145 countries.
By Priyadharshni Rahul (Editor-in-Chief, PreSense)
Published in PreSense Edition 228 (February 2026)
Dr Sandeep Marwah presenting his book to Priyadharshni Rahul
Last month, PreSense launched an exclusive series dedicated to the "Great Visionaries of India", seeking to uncover the grit behind the glory and the struggles behind the success. In this second instalment, we are honoured to feature Dr Sandeep Marwah, a titan of the global media landscape whose life’s work defines visionary leadership. Often referred to as the ‘Man of Many Firsts’, Dr Marwah is the architect of Noida Film City, the founder of the world-renowned Marwah Studios, and the visionary behind the Asian Academy of Film & Television (AAFT). Having trained over 35,000 professionals across 145 countries, he has turned a once-silent region of North India into a global media hub. In this deep-dive interview with Priyadharshni Rahul, Editor-in-Chief of PreSense, Dr Marwah shares his harrowing early struggles against bureaucracy and his unwavering belief in the future of digital and AI-driven storytelling.
Priyadharshni Rahul: Good afternoon, Sir. As part of our series on great visionaries, I want to explore the foundation of your success. Looking at the vast media empire you have built over 40 years, it is easy to see the achievement, but I want to know about the struggles. Where did the spark—and the resistance—begin?
Dr Sandeep Marwah: Well, let me start by clarifying—it is not an empire; I prefer to think of it as a humble place of learning. The achievement you see today was born from immense dissatisfaction. Back in 1986, while working in Bombay, I was frustrated by how scattered the industry was—studios were miles apart, and there was no cohesive planning.
After visiting Hollywood and seeing their efficient "colony" of studios, I envisioned a dedicated Film City for North India. But the struggle was immediate. In the mid-80s, there was no film culture in the North. Proposing a Film City was treated as a joke; it was like looking for water on Mars. I wanted 100 acres in New Delhi, but officials were incredibly reluctant and, frankly, dismissive. They wouldn’t even read my file. People were ruthless in their rejection.
Priyadharshni Rahul: Visionaries often face the most pushback when they try to bring structure to chaos. How did you break through that wall of "No"?
Dr Sandeep Marwah: I had to pivot. I turned to the Noida Authority. Luckily, the Chairman was looking for a fresh, "charming" project to define the city. Even then, it was a bureaucratic marathon. It took a full year of formalities, moving from Noida to Lucknow, through the Finance Board and the Chief Minister. When I finally got word in December 1987 that the Noida Film City project was cleared, I could not hold back my tears. It wasn't just a business win; it was a victory over everyone who said it was impossible.
Priyadharshni Rahul: The mark of a true visionary is seeing a problem and building the solution. You didn’t just build a studio; you built a school. Was that because you couldn't find the talent you needed?
Dr Sandeep Marwah: Exactly. When we started Marwah Studios—the first professional studio in North India—we had the buildings but no people. We didn’t even have a qualified lightsman. I had to pick up local labourers, electricians, and vegetable vendors and train them myself.
Then, the "channel invasion" hit in 1991. Zee, Star, NDTV—they were all launching and needed space and staff. I realised that to sustain the Film City, I had to create the workforce. That is how AAFT (Asian Academy of Film & Television) was born. We turned the studio floor into a classroom. My students were getting three years’ worth of professional experience in just three months because they were working with national broadcasters every single day.
The Asian Academy of Film & Television (AAFT) building at Noida Film City
Priyadharshni Rahul: Today, Noida Film City is a behemoth. What does the "achievement" look like in numbers now?
Dr Sandeep Marwah: It is currently the fastest-growing film city in the world. We have 100 acres—75 for outdoor sets and 25 for indoor. There are 16 studios here, and from this ground, 350 channels are broadcast to 162 countries around the clock. We have roughly 17,000 media professionals working in three shifts, and approximately 150,000 people earn their livelihoods because of this ecosystem.
Priyadharshni Rahul: You have always been ahead of the curve, particularly with mobile cinema and now AI. What drives you to keep innovating when you have already achieved so much?
Dr Sandeep Marwah: A visionary cannot stop at one success. Twenty years ago, people laughed when I mentioned flying cars or shooting cinema on a mobile phone. Today, those are realities. I never want my students to be "aliens" to new technology. We introduced AI into our curriculum four years ago. While others are still debating its impact, we have already produced a film using AI. You have to reinvent yourself constantly; the only constant is change.
Priyadharshni Rahul: Looking into your crystal ball, where is the media industry headed in the next two decades?
Dr Sandeep Marwah: We are entering a "magical world" that is actually a reinvention of ancient technical soundness. The next leap is laser technology—where chips in your hand will project "air computers," and physical devices will become obsolete. We are even seeing research into "past-viewing" technology, where we can reconstruct past events at a location through advanced imaging.
However, I also see a necessary correction. We are reaching a point of digital excess. Much like the "idiot box" (television) obsession eventually faded, people are starting to get "sick" of being glued to mobiles. A "digital detox" is coming.
Priyadharshni Rahul: Beyond technology, your work has a deep spiritual and diplomatic side. How does your philosophy of "Love, Peace, and Unity" fit into a ruthless media world?
Dr Sandeep Marwah: Art and culture are the only ways to bring the world together. I chair the International Chamber of Media and Entertainment Industry, and we have reached a consensus with 92 countries. Political conflicts like Israel-Palestine or Russia-Ukraine exist, but in the world of art, we remain united. I have been honoured as a cultural ambassador by many nations because they recognise that the media has a responsibility beyond just profit—it creates perceptions.
Priyadharshni Rahul: To conclude, what is your advice to the young visionaries who look at your 40-year journey as their blueprint?
Dr Sandeep Marwah: Understand that media is a sacred responsibility. Our first job is to ensure that we don't make our audience feel "sick" or hopeless. To be a visionary, you must be truthful, genuine, and deeply patriotic. Sustainability in any field—but especially media—comes only when you keep your country and your countrymen at the heart of everything you do.
Priyadharshni Rahul: Thank you, Dr Marwah, for sharing the struggle and the incredible vision behind Noida Film City.
Dr Sandeep Marwah: Thank you.
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