After more than a decade producing TV commercials, branded films, and advertising campaigns for global brands and advertising agencies in India. I, Baba Sandhu, Executive Producer and In-House Director at Wild Baba Productions, finally stepped into a new role directing my very first shoot. For years, I’ve been the producer behind the monitor, ensuring every project runs seamlessly: schedules locked, budgets balanced, locations secured, and crews aligned. At Wild Baba Productions, my focus as a producer has always been logistics and problem-solving supporting directors and making sure creative visions come to life on time and on budget. But moving into the director’s chair in India was an entirely new adventure. Directing required something more: a clarity of vision, storytelling instincts, and the confidence to guide performances, visuals, and tone. Instead of just fitting the puzzle pieces together, I was now responsible for shaping the entire picture.

Directing for a Global Beauty Brand in India, this opportunity was one I had been waiting for. The trust placed in me by a global brand allowed me the creative freedom to deliver a film that was both visually captivating and aligned with the international standards beauty brands and agencies expect. What made this debut truly special was collaborating with L’Oréal Professionnel Paris and the exceptional talent of celebrity Radhika Madan. Creating a beauty campaign in India for such an iconic international brand came with high expectations especially at a time when global beauty and fashion brands are increasingly turning to India for world-class film production. This wasn’t just about directing a commercial, it was about delivering a campaign that could stand tall alongside the best international beauty and fashion films.

On set, my philosophy is simple: every crew member should be fully aligned on each planned shot in advance. Reference images, videos, detailed shot breakdowns, and clear shoot orders are essential. When everyone knows the plan, execution is smoother, faster, and the final film reflects precision and intent. If there’s one thing my directorial debut reinforced, it’s that preparation is everything. The stronger your groundwork, the easier it is to adapt when things go off-script. Equally important is trusting your team because whether it’s a large-scale TV commercial, a beauty campaign, or a niche branded film in India, the best results shine through when every collaborator brings their expertise to the table.

In post-production, your editor becomes your closest ally, not just refining the footage but also shaping the story flow and ensuring the creative output meets global benchmarks. Above all, I learned that communication is the true power of directing. A director must carry a clear vision while staying open to ideas, building trust with agencies, brand teams, and crew alike.

Directing for the first time reminded me why I fell in love with storytelling. Producing has given me discipline, structure, and resilience. Directing gave me the chance to channel all of that into pure creative expression. And doing it on a global beauty brand campaign in India with celebrity talent made it even more rewarding.

For me, Baba Sandhu, the transition from Executive Producer to in-house Director was not just a career milestone but also proof of how deeply production experience can strengthen a director’s vision.

Whether you’re a producer dreaming of directing or someone just starting out, my advice is simple: take the leap. Surround yourself with a strong team, respect the craft of every collaborator, and never underestimate the power of a sharp editor. The joy of seeing your vision come alive is worth every moment. At Wild Baba Productions in Mumbai, India, our journey from producing international campaigns to directing films for global brands reflects the depth of our creative and production expertise. With Mumbai as our base and a strong network across India, we offer international brands and advertising agencies a trusted partner for TV commercials, beauty campaigns, skin care, hair care, branded content, and large-scale video production. With Baba Sandhu leading as Executive Producer and In-House Director in India, we ensure that every project is handled with creative precision and world-class production standards.

From concept development and creative ideation to casting talent, securing locations, booking equipment, managing crew, and delivering the final master, Wild Baba Productions offers complete end-to-end production services in India. We deliver films that meet international standards while showcasing the full creative possibilities of filming in India making us the trusted production partner for global brands and advertising agencies.
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