(April 21, 2024) During the filming of the song Kabira in the 2013 film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
actress Deepika Padukone was directed by Vishal Punjabi. It was then that she had mentioned to him that she would like him to shoot her wedding when it happened. Five years later in 2018, when she got married to actor Ranveer Singh, she called the photographer to remind him. The name behind the stunning wedding visuals of several Bollywood celebrities, Vishal Punjabi is a persona with many dimensions.
And now the artist, whose firm The Wedding Filmer is a favourite with celebrities to shoot their wedding memories, has a captivating storytelling and cinematic style with offices in India, London, and soon New York.
The globetrotter
Vishal grew up in Ghana, and while his parents split when he was under 10, it did not stop him from soaking in its rich cultural and musical vibes. He then hopped over to London for studies, and finally, Mumbai stole his heart when he chased down a job with Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) when times were simpler.
Vishal with Shah Rukh Khan
“Along the way, from hustling as a waiter to building computers in my dad’s garage to chasing my film-making dream, life’s been a wild ride. I was born Hindu but wasn’t exposed to it much. I found myself diving into the Bible with my mum, initially out of curiosity, which led me to embrace Christianity. It was a beautiful read that kept me entertained. Then, love happened, and marrying a Muslim meant I happily welcomed Islam into my life. It’s been a journey of faith, love, heartbreak, and second chances, all while learning to tell my own stories through a camera lens,” the artist says. His career took off when he had the opportunity to work with SRK’s Red Chillies Entertainment and he credits SRK, Farah Khan, and Santosh Sivan for helping him learn about filmmaking and visual art.
Wedding bells
Being an ace in visual art he started his firm The Wedding Filmer as the photographer believes that weddings are like live theatres teeming with stories about unity and stunning visuals that you just don’t see anywhere else.
“There’s something magical about capturing two people in love, amidst their nearest and dearest, coming together despite all odds. Honestly, it was at a wedding that I found love again, seeing firsthand how these events could bridge worlds, mend fences, and bring families closer together. When I shoot weddings, I’m like a fly on the wall—observant and unobtrusive, yet deeply involved and sometimes playing the part of a therapist during interviews with the couple, family, and friends. We navigate through lifetimes in those conversations, piecing together films that are not just memories but bridges. The way I see it, these films do something extraordinary; they pull people together, creating a bond that’s about more than just the festivities,” the artist explains.
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Motivation cues
The artist is the name behind the captivating wedding films of Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra, and recently Jackky Bhagnani and Rakul Preet Singh. The photographer’s deep-seated desire to make a positive impact on others’ lives is a great motivator for him. The ability of creating opportunities, crafting stable and rewarding careers for those who are not just talented but also embody loyalty and fairness is also a driver.
Viahal with filmmaker Farah Khan
Prod him and he smilingly says, “A cheeky part of me always jokes that the incredible food I get to enjoy at weddings is a big motivator. And let’s not forget the chance to dress up! There’s no stage quite like a wedding to showcase your best attire. But when I peel back the layers and really think about it, the core of my motivation is my family, especially my son, Sufi. He’s such a big part of why I wake up every morning—so much so that we honoured him in our logo animation when I started The Wedding Filmer. It was a time when I was searching for a greater purpose, something significant I could build not just for me, but for him. His arrival was a catalyst, pushing me to create something meaningful, something that could make a real difference. There’s immense satisfaction in knowing that, through my work, I’m able to contribute to someone else’s growth and happiness.”
Celeb connect
Shooting celebrity weddings has been an exhilarating journey for him as each one unique and full of moments that are both intimate and grand. “What makes these experiences unforgettable isn’t just the glitz and glamour, but the raw, heartfelt emotions that bubble beneath the surface. There’s this beautiful universality in weddings – whether it’s a celebrity’s or not – the nervous smiles, the teary-eyed parents, the laughter, and the dances, they all weave into the timeless story,” the artist says.
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One of his best experiences recently was capturing a princess who was getting married at a temple built by her ancestors. “It wasn’t opulent, local flowers were used but what stood out was the simplicity of her love story, a narrative that resonated with anyone who believes in the magic of love. Here were two people finding love again, for all the right reasons. The highlight is always the small, unguarded moments between the couple – a whisper, a glance, a smile. In my films, I strive to weave the personal anecdotes shared by family and friends, the cultural nuances, and the couple’s journey into a cohesive story that not only celebrates their union but also touches the hearts of anyone who watches it. It’s about transcending the boundaries of tradition and culture to highlight the universal language of love. This storytelling approach transforms each film into a personal heirloom,” he explains.
Being resilient
For someone who has been deported, divorced, and discarded he has always bounced back. Overcoming challenges has been a cornerstone of his journey, deeply intertwined with the art of embracing and fighting through failure.
“Each setback, each stumble, has been a lesson, shaping not just my career but my very approach to life and storytelling. Failure, in its daunting shadows, often carries the seeds of growth and innovation. By facing it head-on, acknowledging the lessons it offers, and using them as stepping stones, I have found new pathways to success that were previously obscured by the comfort of the familiar. In my work, this translates to a relentless pursuit of authenticity and innovation. When a film doesn’t capture the essence of the story I aim to tell, or when a creative risk doesn’t pay off as hoped, I take it as a cue to delve deeper, to refine my vision and technique,” the artist expresses.
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Looking ahead
His mantra in life is simple – if you lose the job, you will find a better job, and if you lose the girl, you will find a better girl, and if you get sick, you will learn to stop putting rubbish in your system.
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“Embrace failure. Make it your greatest ally. For the moment they think you’re finished; that’s when your success is assured,” he says. A voracious reader and an avid cook he admits that he is a beautiful time waster. “I have the exceptional ability to do nothing for extended periods of time,” the artist smiles. His plans going forward is to make The Wedding Filmer affordable and extendable so that every bride and groom can have a memory worth cherishing. A memory that brings them closer together.
