Sanal is a seasoned sound designer and mixer with over 15 years of experience in films, web series, and documentaries. His portfolio includes acclaimed projects such as Gangubai Kathiawadi, Heeramandi, Aranyak, Teri Baaton Mein Uljha Jiya, and Mismatched (Netflix). He has also contributed to major international productions like The Wedding Guest, Beecham House, and Origin by Ava DuVernay.
In the independent film space, Sanal worked on award-winning projects such as Widow of Silence and Walking with the Wind, earning the National Film Award for Best Sound Design (2017). His expertise spans production sound mixing, sound editing, and sound design, crafting immersive soundscapes that enhance storytelling and add emotional depth to narratives.
Mismatched is a coming-of-age romantic drama series directed by Akarsh Khurana and produced by RSVP Movies for Netflix. Based on Sandhya Menon’s novel When Dimple Met Rishi, the show stars Prajakta Koli and Rohit Saraf, exploring love, ambition, and self-discovery.
Sanal worked as the sound designer and sound mixer for Seasons 1, 2, and 3, enhancing the series’ immersive audio experience and strengthening its emotional depth
The Broken News is a Hindi drama series directed by Vinay Waikul, exploring the rivalry between two news channels with opposing journalistic values. Starring Jaideep Ahlawat, Sonali Bendre, and Shriya Pilgaonkar, Season 2 was released in May 2024 on ZEE5.
Sanal worked as the sound designer and mixer for Season 2, enhancing the show’s immersive audio experience.
Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (2024) is a period drama series directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, set in 1940s Lahore, exploring the lives of courtesans during the Indian independence movement. Starring Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, and Aditi Rao Hydari, the series premiered on Netflix.
Sanal worked as the sound designer and mixer, contributing to the series’ rich and immersive audio experience.
Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya (2024) is a sci-fi romantic comedy directed by Amit Joshi and Aradhana Sah, starring Shahid Kapoor as a robotics engineer and Kriti Sanon as a humanoid robot. Produced by Maddock Films and Jio Studios, the film explores love, AI, and human emotions.
Sanal worked as the Sound Designer and Sound Mixer, contributing to the film’s immersive audio experience. The film was a commercial success and released on Amazon Prime Video after its theatrical run.
Origin (2023) is a biographical drama directed by Ava DuVernay, based on Isabel Wilkerson’s book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, the film follows Wilkerson’s journey as she uncovers deep-rooted caste systems across history and cultures.
Sanal worked as the Sound Mixer for the India schedule of this project
Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) is a biographical drama directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and produced by Bhansali Productions and Pen India Limited. Starring Alia Bhatt in the titular role, the film follows Gangubai, a woman forced into prostitution who rises to power as a formidable advocate for sex workers’ rights in Mumbai’s Kamathipura.
Sanal worked as the Sound Designer and Production Sound Mixer, contributing to the film’s rich and immersive sound design, which complemented its grand visual storytelling. His work earned him a Filmfare nomination for Best Sound Design.
Aranyak (2021) is an Indian crime thriller web series directed by Vinay Waikul and produced by Roy Kapur Films in association with Ramesh Sippy Entertainment for Netflix. Starring Raveena Tandon, Parambrata Chatterjee, and Ashutosh Rana, the series follows a local cop and her replacement as they unravel a complex murder case in a small Himalayan town, uncovering deep-rooted secrets and myths.
Sanal worked as the Sound Designer and Mixer, enhancing the series’ atmospheric tension and immersive storytelling.
Tigress (2021) is a short film directed by Maya Bastian, exploring identity, privilege, and intergenerational trauma. It follows Trina, a Tamil-Canadian woman who, during a night out, confronts an alternate version of herself as a Tamil Tiger fighter. The film highlights the contrast between diaspora rebellion and war-driven resistance.
Featured at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival, Tigress received praise for its compelling take on cultural identity and conflict
Gul Makai (2020) is a biographical drama directed by H.E. Amjad Khan and produced by Jayantilal Gada. The film tells the inspiring story of Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani activist who defied the Taliban to advocate for girls’ education. Starring Reem Shaikh, Divya Dutta, Atul Kulkarni, and Pankaj Tripathi, the film portrays Malala’s courageous journey from Swat Valley to becoming the youngest Nobel Prize laureate.
Sanal worked as the Sound Designer, shaping the film’s powerful audio landscape to enhance its emotional and dramatic impact.
Roam Rome Mein (2019) is a psychological drama directed by Tannishtha Chatterjee and produced by Eros International. Starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Tannishtha Chatterjee, the film follows a man’s journey to Rome in search of his missing sister, leading to self-discovery and unexpected revelations.
Sanal worked as the Sound Mixer, recording and mixing original performances and soundscapes in Rome and India. The film premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and received critical acclaim.
Mission Over Mars (2019) is an Indian web series directed by Vinay Waikul and produced by Ekta Kapoor for ALTBalaji. Inspired by India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), the series follows a team of ISRO scientists, led by strong female protagonists, as they navigate challenges to achieve a historic space mission.
Sanal worked as the Sound Designer and Mixer, ensuring a rich and dynamic soundscape that enhanced the series’ technical and emotional depth.
Widow of Silence (2018) is an Indian drama directed by Praveen Morchhale. Set in conflict-ridden Kashmir, it follows Aasia, a half-widow fighting bureaucratic hurdles to obtain her missing husband’s death certificate. Sanal worked as the Sound Designer, creating an immersive soundscape that enhanced the film’s emotional depth and realism. The film received critical acclaim and was showcased at international film festivals
The Wedding Guest (2018) is a British-American thriller directed by Michael Winterbottom, starring Dev Patel and Radhika Apte. The film follows a mysterious man hired to kidnap a bride in Pakistan, leading to an unpredictable journey across South Asia
Sacred Games (2018–2019) is a crime thriller directed by Anurag Kashyap & Vikramaditya Motwane, starring Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Sanal worked as a Sound Mixer on a few episodes
Sanal worked as the Sound Designer and Mixer for The Test Case (2017), an Indian web series directed by Vinay Waikul. Starring Nimrat Kaur, the series follows the journey of the first woman training for the Indian Army’s Special Forces. Sanal’s expertise in sound design and mixing played a key role in enhancing the series’ intense and immersive narrative.
Sanal worked as the Second Unit Sound Mixer on Beecham House (2019), a British historical drama series directed by Gurinder Chadha. Set in 1795 India, the series follows John Beecham, a former soldier seeking a new life in Delhi while navigating political intrigue and personal secrets.
Walking with the Wind (2017) is a Ladakhi film directed by Praveen Morchhale, following 10-year-old Tsering on a quiet yet profound journey in a remote Himalayan village. The film beautifully captures themes of simplicity, resilience, and harmony with nature. Sanal won the National Film Award for Best Indian Sound Designer (2017) for his work on this project, enhancing its immersive and atmospheric storytelling.
Sanal was the sound mixer for National Geographic’s Explorer documentary on the Dalai Lama in Bodhgaya, directed by Michael Ware. Filmed during the 2017 Kalachakra Empowerment, the documentary explores the Dalai Lama’s perspectives on Tibet’s future, non-violence, and global consciousness
Sadhu in Bombay (2017) is a short film by Kabir Mehta, exploring an ascetic’s transformation in urban Mumbai. Blending satire and documentary, it critiques city life and the manipulative nature of storytelling.
Dangal (2016) is a Hindi sports drama movie directed by Nitesh Tiwari, based on wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat training his daughters, Geeta and Babita Phogat, to become champions. Starring Aamir Khan, the film celebrates perseverance and empowerment, becoming a global blockbuster
I.C.U. is a 2013 Malayalam short film by Anoop Sathyan, based on a real-life incident. It follows a boy hospitalized after a snakebite, encountering diverse individuals in the ICU, each facing life’s uncertainties.
Chaver is a 2015 Malayalam short film directed by Abhilash Vijayan. Set in 18th-century Malabar, it follows two young Kalaripayattu warriors on a mission to assassinate an enemy king, exploring themes of duty, sacrifice, and moral conflict. Sanal won the Kerala State Television Award for Best Sound for this project
Bhutacha Janma (Birth of a Ghost) is a 2014 Marathi short film directed by Nikhil Khamkar, based on a story by D. M. Mirasdar. It follows a man returning to his village at night, growing anxious over ghost rumors. Blending horror, comedy, and suspense, the film was featured at international festivals like Rome and Cannes Short Film Corner.
A Knife in the Bar is a Malayalam short film directed by Ravisankar, based on the short story “Sanmargam” by Subhash Chandran. The film delves into dramatic themes, capturing a compelling narrative set within a bar
Worked as an Assistant Sound Mixer on Chalo Dilli (2010), handling on-location audio, sync sound equipment as a Utility Sound Technician, and serving as Second Unit Sound Mixer for this Bollywood road comedy starring Lara Dutta, Vinay Pathak, and Akshay Kumar. The majority of the project was shot in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan
Chivlya is a Marathi short film directed by Rohit Sawakhande, based on Anton Chekhov’s short story Vanka. The film explores themes of innocence and hardship through the eyes of a young boy. This project premiered at the Busan International Film Festival in 2010.
