Storytelling Speakers

Farhan Akhtar is an award-winning Bollywood multi-hyphenate—an actor, director, writer, and singer. He is the co-founder of the successful production banner Excel Entertainment. His directorial debut, Dil Chahta Hai, won him his first National Award and gained cult status, influencing a generation of filmmakers. His keynotes share insights into creative problem-solving, mindset, and the strategies required to achieve excellence across multiple creative domains.

Ayushmann Khurrana is a leading Indian actor, a National Film Award winner, and a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for India. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020. His choice of films, like Vicky Donor and Article 15, is known for challenging social norms. His keynotes share insights on creativity, resilience, and using one's platform for social good, drawing on his success across acting, singing, and media.

Farah Khan is an award-winning choreographer, director, and actor in the Hindi film industry. She is the successful director of blockbusters like Om Shanti Om and the first female director nominated for a Filmfare Award. Recognized as a sharp businesswoman and role model, her keynotes blend witty storytelling with motivational insights on women empowerment and teamwork. She inspires audiences to follow their dreams, lead with determination, and compete successfully on their own terms.

Briana Scurry is a National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, World Cup Champion, and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist. She is recognized as one of the first openly gay and African American professional athletes in her sport. Her career, which includes the iconic penalty kick save that won the 1999 FIFA World Cup, is a powerful story of resilience. Her best-selling memoir, My Greatest Save, and the documentary The Only detail her journey, including her dedication to advocating for increased awareness for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) since her retirement.

Imtiaz Ali is an acclaimed Indian filmmaker, writer, and director of iconic films including Jab We Met and Rockstar. He is a pioneer in creating contemporary romantic dramas in Hindi cinema. An alumnus of Delhi University who pioneered the college's dramatics society, he translates his deep theatre background into filmmaking. His keynotes share insights into creative vision, storytelling, and how to bring authenticity to narratives that resonate across a wide audience.

Ann Handley is the Chief Content Officer of MarketingProfs and a WSJ bestselling author of Everybody Writes. Recognized by IBM as one of the 7 people shaping modern marketing, she is a global expert on content strategy. Her books, including Content Rules, have been translated into 19 languages. As a speaker, she provides actionable strategies for businesses to escape marketing mediocrity and leverage new digital tools to create killer content that turns customers into passionate brand advocates.

Porter Erisman is the former Vice-President of Alibaba Group and a leading expert on e-commerce in China and emerging markets. He has over 20 years of experience with China’s digital transformation. He is the author of Alibaba’s World and the director of the award-winning documentary Crocodile in the Yangtze: the Alibaba Story. His keynotes provide unparalleled insights into scaling a business in emerging markets and the future of global e-commerce.

Rahul Bose is a renowned actor, former international rugby player, and President of Rugby India. Time magazine called him "the superstar of Indian arthouse cinema." He is the founder of The Foundation, an NGO dedicated to fighting discrimination. His keynotes, delivered globally, merge his experiences in live combat and high-level sports to provide motivational insights on leadership, life choices, and public commitment to social and environmental change.

Dia Mirza is a UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador for India and a UN Secretary-General Advocate for Sustainable Development Goals. She is an award-winning actor and former Miss Asia Pacific. As a champion of nature, she successfully led the #BeatPlasticPollution campaign, leading to India's single-use plastic ban declaration. Her keynotes focus on environmental conservation, gender equality, and how individuals can find their greater purpose in life by leveraging the creative arts for social change.

Stoyan Yankov is a leading productivity and performance coach and the bestselling author of PERFORM and PERFORM in Times of Crisis. He specializes in building high-performance cultures and boosting team cohesion. He has collaborated with over 550 companies globally, including HP and Coca-Cola. As a speaker, his keynotes at events like Web Summit deliver a high-energy mix of strategic storytelling and practical tools to drive productivity and inspire immediate action.

Pooja Bhatt is a celebrated Indian actor, producer, and director who rose to fame in the 1990s with films like Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin and Sadak. She is a leading advocate for mental health and an alcoholism survivor. Her sessions are known to be inspiring, taking audiences on a journey from "darkness to light," motivating them to speak their minds and embrace their unconventional life choices. She is currently writing a memoir that chronicles her year-long journey to sobriety.

Abhay Deol is an acclaimed Indian actor, best known for Dev.D and his biggest commercial hit, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), which earned him a Filmfare nomination. He is noted for his portrayal of complex characters and is a vocal supporter of independent cinema in India. As a speaker, he draws on his work as an actor and producer to provide insights into the creative process and the importance of supporting diverse narratives in the entertainment industry.

Prahlad Kakkar is a legendary ad film director and the founder of Genesis Film Productions, one of India’s leading production houses since 1977. He is known for his iconic Pepsi and Kamasutra ad campaigns. A highly successful entrepreneur, he co-founded the School of Branding and Entrepreneurship and established Lacadives, a scuba-diving school. His keynotes share lessons on creativity, risk-taking, and innovation, drawing on his boisterous, candid, and outspoken personality.

Ashwin Sanghi is one of India’s top-selling English fiction authors and a Yale MBA. His bestsellers, including The Shiva Trilogy and Chanakya’s Chant, have sold millions of copies globally. He is an entrepreneur who advises major corporations like ICICI and Unilever on creativity, innovation, and leadership. His popular keynotes, including 13 Steps to Bloody Good Luck and Business Lessons from Ancient India, provide practical strategies for modern success derived from historical wisdom.

Magnús Scheving is the Creator and Lead Star of the global phenomenon LazyTown, which aired in over 170 countries. A former champion athlete, he is a leading speaker and entrepreneur in health promotion and social entrepreneurship. He served as CEO of Turner Enterprise's LazyTown brand after its acquisition. His insights have been sought by global leaders, including Michelle Obama and the United Nations, on fighting child obesity. His keynotes are renowned for their dynamic energy, seamlessly blending his athletic skills with wisdom on personal empowerment and innovative marketing.

Sudha Chandran is an iconic Bharatanatyam dancer and actress who won a National Film Award for Mayuri. She is the only dancer to have successfully returned to the stage using a Jaipur foot after a tragic accident. Her incredible story of fortitude and determination—overcoming a life-altering disability—is immortalized in the acclaimed film Mayuri. Her keynotes provide audiences with the tools to inspire themselves, embrace the lessons of failure, and achieve astonishing success despite all odds.

Shawn Callahan is the Founder of Anecdote, the world’s largest business storytelling enterprise, and an award-winning author. Leveraging decades of experience in technology at firms like Oracle and IBM, he is a leading expert on the human factors that accelerate organizational success and leadership effectiveness. The author of Putting Stories to Work, Callahan provides actionable methodologies for leaders and sellers to connect, inspire action, and drive growth. His work helps major global companies streamline communication and achieve business goals by making narrative a core component of their strategy.

Soha Ali Khan is an acclaimed Indian film actress and social activist who won the IIFA and GIFA Awards for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Rang De Basanti. The youngest daughter of actress Sharmila Tagore, she embodies a blend of royalty and social commitment. Her keynotes provide valuable insights on social activism and youth empowerment, sharing her experiences and quick wit with diverse audiences.