Director
Be it film or theatre, direction has been Akshay’s foundation for understanding the craft and business of storytelling. Inspired by Saadat Hasan Manto, he directed Nangi Aawazein in Mumbai, taking complete charge of the script, sets, costumes, auditions, production, marketing, promotions, and media outreach. He also directed and acted in productions including Chhatariyan, Stamp Collection, and Boo.
His most ambitious theatre production, Dhappa, starring Puneet Issar, premiered to a full house at St. Andrews Auditorium, Bandra, on June 18, 2022. Akshay independently directed and executed the production and its red-carpet premiere.
He has also worked as Director of Photography for Urdu Kavita and Hindi Studio, collaborating with Bollywood celebrities and prominent literary voices while overseeing cinematography and shoot execution. His work further includes directing a music video and the documentary Wallflowers.
Most recently, Akshay created and directed Ajeebiyat, an independent mini-series produced with zero budget and entirely through free tools. From writing and direction to visual execution, editing, production, and promotion, he handled the project independently—demonstrating his ability to transform a creative vision into a complete screen property with resourcefulness and minimal means.
Wallflowers is a documentary film by Akshay Mishra .
Shyam, a film director, is intrigued by Iravati, a Kathak dancer, and intends to cast her in his next film. But her brother Kumar, a failed actor, is adamant about keeping Shyam away from Iravati. Instead of it being an act of jealousy, Kumar harbours a deep dark secret. Set against the 1950s era, 'Dhappa' is submerged in mystique and drama.
Nangi Aawazein is a musically devised play that portrays the lives of two different families from diverse social classes. Though poles apart, they experience the same complexities in life that are woven with a thin cord of pain. Bholu and Gama are two brothers who live in a chawl whereas Nishant and his wife share a one BHK apartment with their family in Mumbai. The play exhibits how these people of different social stratum strive to get private moments amidst overcrowded spaces, which further leaves a question mark on the manhood of the protagonists.
Chhatariya is a social satire that elaborates on how desires control humans. The symbolically designed play is a visual treat with props, mime, percussion music and voice overs.