“I’m Dharani Pugalanthi, born in Madurai and now based in Chennai. I’m an aspiring director and entrepreneur. My journey began in the film industry as an assistant director, then associate, and today I direct digital ads for brands like Rapido. Along the way, I founded two ventures: BranD Creative Studios, which focuses on personal branding, AI video production, and social media marketing for B2B and B2C brands, and Twinning Twilight, which manages concerts and celebrity events for colleges.

Over the years, I’ve also written subtitles for more than 15 feature films including Nitham Oru Vaanam (Netflix) and Kalvan, and have been part of both pre- and post-production on several others. Every time my name appears on screen, it reminds me how far I’ve come from that wide-eyed boy in Madurai who once dreamed of cinema. I also enjoy interacting with students, sharing what I’ve learned about media and business, because somewhere in that crowd, there’s another dreamer like me waiting to take the first step.

People often assume I came into media chasing fame. But “Pugalanthi” itself means fame. I didn’t need to chase what was already in my name. I came for stories, to understand emotions, people, and life.

It all began in 2006, when Sivaji, my favorite Superstar film, released. I was in first grade. I still remember crying when the theatre went dark and the screen lit up. Through those beams of light, I saw magic. That day, cinema became more than entertainment, it became home. I grew up watching films in every language and from every culture. They taught me that we are all small particles in this vast universe, but each one capable of feeling deeply.

From the age of 18, I’ve been independent. Fun and parties never really attracted me; I had already lived enough adventure in my school days. Life’s real lessons began when I lost my grandfather in 10th grade. That moment shattered me but also shaped me. I realised that everything we hold on to, fame, money, degrees, even people, is temporary. What truly lasts are love, values, and legacy. He taught me that, and his absence made me stronger. Since then, I’ve lived by one truth: I have nothing more to lose. Everything that comes now is a blessing, a bonus.

For me, Chennai is not just food or memories or famous landmarks. It’s a place that raised me into the person I am. It gave me space to dream, to fail, and to rise again. This city is filled with people who carry dreams far bigger than themselves, yet it welcomes everyone with open arms. Chennai taught me reality over innocence, resilience over comfort. It recognized me not for my surname or my background, but for my work, my grit, and my intent.

I remain deeply connected to my family, especially my grandparents, siblings, and cousins. They’ve been my foundation. My four closest friends are my pillars, the people who ground me and keep me laughing through the hardest times. And I’m grateful to my teammates who believed in my vision even when it was just a sketch in my notebook.

I can’t fit myself into one box. I am endlessly curious, constantly learning, networking, and building. I’ve never been a perfectionist, just an ordinary student in real life who refuses to stop moving forward. My journey is imperfect, but it’s mine, and I intend to keep it going at any cost.

Chennai, to me, is a miracle. It’s the city that turned my fears into fire and my dreams into direction. My hands are open for whatever comes next, ready to create, to fail, to learn, and to live.”