Date of Birth: February 12, 1968

Place of Birth: Deoghar, Jharkhand

About

Pankaj Shankar is a storyteller of rare depth and conviction—an artist and filmmaker who has spent more than three decades using media not merely as entertainment, but as a force for truth, awareness, and positive change. His journey reflects the life of a man who consistently stood with the good, challenged wrongdoing, and dedicated his creative voice to shaping a better future for the next generation.

He began his career as a sharp and socially observant cartoonist, contributing to leading publications such as Mid Day Delhi and Hindustan. Even in illustration, his work carried wit, insight, and the pulse of Indian society. This early foundation of observation and commentary soon expanded into a larger canvas—filmmaking and television, where his storytelling could reach millions.

As Consulting Editor with Doordarshan News, Pankaj produced four widely appreciated weekly programs that addressed some of India’s most pressing social themes: Mere Desh Ki Dharti (agriculture), Ehsaas (communal harmony), Mehnat Rang Layegi (career counseling), and Jaanane ka Haq (Right to Information). His fearless investigative work during this period exposed a major agriculture scam at NAFED, earning recognition for bringing accountability to the forefront.

Pankaj’s creative evolution continued through impactful television serials such as Purva Suhani Aayi Re, chronicling the transformative journey of a village pradhan, and Tulsi More Angana, which highlighted the inspiring rise of a young girl building a vegetable farming brand in Gujarat. These narratives reflected his enduring commitment to uplifting marginalized voices and portraying stories of resilience.

As a producer for Savdhaan India, he shaped gripping crime narratives that combined mass reach with social awareness. His filmography also includes the powerful documentary In the Name of Faith on the 2002 Gujarat riots, and the satirical film Love You Pappu, showcasing his ability to engage with themes ranging from tragedy to political humor with equal courage.

Today, Pankaj Shankar is spearheading Kashmir Ahead, a platform devoted to telling stories of hope, transformation, and progress in Jammu & Kashmir. Over the past four years, he has extensively covered the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, producing content telecast on Doordarshan in six episodes, alongside daily packages for DIPR J&K. His recent films include the inspiring story of Zahid, a one-legged aspiring actor fighting Kashmir’s drug menace, and another capturing the journey of a Gujarati couple witnessing the region’s changing reality.

With an unshaken passion for meaningful storytelling, Pankaj is now embracing the future through AI-driven animation—merging decades of experience with new technology to create ambitious projects such as a 45-minute film on Ahilyabai Holkar for Prasar Bharati.

Pankaj Shankar’s life is not simply a career in media—it is a legacy of standing for what is right, exposing what is wrong, and using creativity as a bridge toward awareness, harmony, and inspiration. From cartoons to documentaries, from crime narratives to cultural chronicles, he remains a storyteller who fights evil with truth, and empowers the next generation with stories that matter.